The rich man's sons inherits cares;
The bank may break, the factory burn,
A breath may burst read more

The rich man's sons inherits cares;
The bank may break, the factory burn,
A breath may burst his bubble shares,
And soft, white hands could hardly earn
A living that would serve his turn.

We are stripped bare by the curse of plenty.

We are stripped bare by the curse of plenty.

Give no bounties: make equal laws: secure life and prosperity
and you need not give alms.

Give no bounties: make equal laws: secure life and prosperity
and you need not give alms.

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.

These riches are possess'd, but not enjoy'd!

These riches are possess'd, but not enjoy'd!

If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart.

If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart.

Wealth is the product of man's capacity to think.

Wealth is the product of man's capacity to think.

If thou art rich, thou'rt poor,
For, like an ass whose back with ingots bows,
Thou bear'st read more

If thou art rich, thou'rt poor,
For, like an ass whose back with ingots bows,
Thou bear'st thy heavy riches but a journey,
And death unloads thee.

Who hath not heard the rich complain
Of surfeits, and corporeal pain?
He barr'd from every use read more

Who hath not heard the rich complain
Of surfeits, and corporeal pain?
He barr'd from every use of wealth,
Envies the ploughman's strength and health.