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.

'Tis a sort of duty to be rich, that it may be in one's power to do good, riches being read more

'Tis a sort of duty to be rich, that it may be in one's power to do good, riches being another word for power.

All that glisters is not gold;
Often have you heard that told;
Many a man his life read more

All that glisters is not gold;
Often have you heard that told;
Many a man his life hath sold;
But my outside to behold.

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.]

The gratification of wealth is not found in mere possession or in lavish expenditure, but in its wise application.

The gratification of wealth is not found in mere possession or in lavish expenditure, but in its wise application.

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.

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?

It is easy at any moment to resign the possession of a great
fortune; to acquire it is difficult read more

It is easy at any moment to resign the possession of a great
fortune; to acquire it is difficult and arduous.
[Lat., Facile est momento quo quis velit, cedere possessione
magnae fortunae; facere et parare eam, difficile atque arduum
est.]

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.