'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?

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.]

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

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

Decrepit miser! base ignoble wretch!
I am descended of a gentler blood.
Thou art no father nor read more

Decrepit miser! base ignoble wretch!
I am descended of a gentler blood.
Thou art no father nor friend of mine.

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.

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.

The miser acquires, yet fears to use his gains.

The miser acquires, yet fears to use his gains.

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.