You often ask me, Priscus, what sort of person I should be, if I
were to become suddenly rich read more

You often ask me, Priscus, what sort of person I should be, if I
were to become suddenly rich and powerful. Who can determine
what would be his future conduct? Tell me, if you were to become
a lion, what sort of a lion would you be?

Not to be avaricious is money; not to be fond of buying is a
revenue; but to be content read more

Not to be avaricious is money; not to be fond of buying is a
revenue; but to be content with our own is the greatest and most
certain wealth of all.
[Lat., Non esse cupidum, pecunia est; non esse emacem, vectigal
est; contentum vero suis rebus esse, maximae sunt, certissimaeque
divitiae.]

Dame Nature gave him comeliness and health,
And Fortune (for a passport) gave him wealth.

Dame Nature gave him comeliness and health,
And Fortune (for a passport) gave him wealth.

Riches are deservedly despised by a man of honor, because a
well-stored chest intercepts the truth.
[Lat., Opes read more

Riches are deservedly despised by a man of honor, because a
well-stored chest intercepts the truth.
[Lat., Opes invisae merito sunt forti viro,
Quia dives arca veram laudem intercipit.]

Want is a growing giant whom the coat of Have was never large
enough to cover.

Want is a growing giant whom the coat of Have was never large
enough to cover.

This is an impressive crowd: the Have's and Have-more's. Some people call you the elites. I call you my base.

This is an impressive crowd: the Have's and Have-more's. Some people call you the elites. I call you my base.

Worldly riches are like nuts; many a tooth is broken in cracking them, but never is the stomach filled with read more

Worldly riches are like nuts; many a tooth is broken in cracking them, but never is the stomach filled with eating them.

For wealth, without contentment, climbs a hill,
To feel those tempests which fly over ditches.

For wealth, without contentment, climbs a hill,
To feel those tempests which fly over ditches.

Many men of course became extremely rich, but this was perfectly natural and nothing to be ashamed of because no read more

Many men of course became extremely rich, but this was perfectly natural and nothing to be ashamed of because no one was really poor, at least no one worth speaking of.