I am rich beyond the dreams of avarice.

I am rich beyond the dreams of avarice.

Can wealth give happiness? look round and see
What gay distress! what splendid misery!
Whatever fortunes lavishly read more

Can wealth give happiness? look round and see
What gay distress! what splendid misery!
Whatever fortunes lavishly can pour,
The mind annihilates, and calls for more.

The ideal social state is not that in which each gets an equal
amount of wealth, but in which read more

The ideal social state is not that in which each gets an equal
amount of wealth, but in which each gets in proportion to his
contribution to the general stock.

Some people lose their health getting wealth and then lose their wealth gaining health.

Some people lose their health getting wealth and then lose their wealth gaining health.

Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are
disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and read more

Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are
disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who
shall gather them.

We are stripped bare by the curse of plenty.

We are stripped bare by the curse of plenty.

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.

There are, while human miseries abound,
A thousand ways to waste superfluous wealth,
Without one fool or read more

There are, while human miseries abound,
A thousand ways to waste superfluous wealth,
Without one fool or flatterer at your board,
Without one hour of sickness or disgust.

Poor worms, they hiss at me, whilst I at home
Can be contented to applaud myself, . . . read more

Poor worms, they hiss at me, whilst I at home
Can be contented to applaud myself, . . . with joy
To see how plump my bags are and my barns.