The miser acquires, yet fears to use his gains.

The miser acquires, yet fears to use his gains.

Since you go where all have gone before, why do you torment your
your disgraceful life with such mean read more

Since you go where all have gone before, why do you torment your
your disgraceful life with such mean ambitions, O miser?
[Lat., Abiturus illuc priores abierunt,
Quid mente caeca torques spiritum?
Tibi dico, avare.]

Hoards after hoards his rising raptures fill;
Yet still he sighs, for hoards are wanting still.

Hoards after hoards his rising raptures fill;
Yet still he sighs, for hoards are wanting still.

He sat among his bags, and, with a look
Which hell might be ashamed of, drove the poor
read more

He sat among his bags, and, with a look
Which hell might be ashamed of, drove the poor
Away unalmed; and midst abundance died--
Sorest of evils!--died of utter want.

A mere madness, to live like a wretch, and die rich.

A mere madness, to live like a wretch, and die rich.

The miser is as much in want of what he has, as of what he has
not.
[Lat., read more

The miser is as much in want of what he has, as of what he has
not.
[Lat., Tam deest avaro quod habet, quam quod non habet.]

'Tis strange the miser should his cares employ
To gain those riches he can ne'er enjoy;
Is read more

'Tis strange the miser should his cares employ
To gain those riches he can ne'er enjoy;
Is it less strange the prodigal should waste
His wealth to purchase what he ne'er can taste?

If I knew a miser, who gave up every kind of comfortable living,
all the pleasure of doing good read more

If I knew a miser, who gave up every kind of comfortable living,
all the pleasure of doing good to others, all the esteem of his
fellow-citizens, and the joys of benevolent friendship, for the
sake of accumulating wealth. Poor man, said I, you pay too much
for your whistle.

And were it not that they are loath to lay out money on a rope,
they would be hanged read more

And were it not that they are loath to lay out money on a rope,
they would be hanged forthwith, and sometimes die to save
charges.