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?

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.

Wealth is well known to be a great comforter.

Wealth is well known to be a great comforter.

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.

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.

Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to
administer in his lifetime for the good read more

Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to
administer in his lifetime for the good of the community.

No, he was no such charlatan--
Count de Hoboken Flash-in-the-Pan--
Full of gasconade and bravado,
read more

No, he was no such charlatan--
Count de Hoboken Flash-in-the-Pan--
Full of gasconade and bravado,
But a regular, rich Don Rataplane,
Santa Claus de la Muscavado,
Senor Grandissimo Bastinado!
His was the rental of half Havana
And all Matanzas; and Santa Ana,
Rich as he was, could hardly hold
A candle to light the mines of gold
Our Cuban owned.

We are stripped bare by the curse of plenty.

We are stripped bare by the curse of plenty.