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.

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.

Superfluous wealth can buy superfluities only.

Superfluous wealth can buy superfluities only.

Riches are a good handmaiden, but the worst mistress.

Riches are a good handmaiden, but the worst mistress.

Riches, the incentives to evil, are dug out of the earth.
[Lat., Effodiuntur opes irritamenta malorum.]

Riches, the incentives to evil, are dug out of the earth.
[Lat., Effodiuntur opes irritamenta malorum.]

Base wealth preferring to eternal praise.

Base wealth preferring to eternal praise.

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.

I've been rich and I've been poor; rich is better.

I've been rich and I've been poor; rich is better.

If Heaven had looked upon riches to be a valuable thing, it would
not have given them to such read more

If Heaven had looked upon riches to be a valuable thing, it would
not have given them to such a scoundrel.