| Citation |
CJ-B.781.001
4 Jan 1781:11,12,13 (254)
The Peculiar Advantages connected with the Acquisition of
Riches.
I once wondered, when I saw the generality of the sons of
Adam employing themselves, with the utmost vigor, in the
pursuit after riches, declaring, by their practice, that
nothing else was worth their regard: But my wonder ceased,
when I considered that every ingredient, necessary to
constitute the only happiness they desire, was connected
with the obtainment of money in abundance; as it would
procure for them whatever was adapted to gratify their
various bodily appetites. I have often had opportunity to
behold this verified in fact.
Pauperus was a man in low life; but, by incessant toil
night and day, he got a sufficiency to become a trader in
this world's goods, and it was not long before he commenced
a gentleman of fortune, able to cloath himself in purple and
fine linnen, and to fare sumptuously, and live jovially
every day. In his former state, he appeared meanly clad,
and was hardly put to it to provide bread for himself and
his family; but now he makes a figure in the world, is
esteemed a man of merit, advanced to this and the other
place of dignity and honor, and courted even by those who
once tho't him scarce worthy of their notice. He can made
Princely dinners, and those invited to them may see his
table set out with all manner of dainties. The house he
lives in resembles those of the great men of the earth, and
so does its furniture, and all its appendages. He can ride
in his chariot, be[ ] fi[ ] company to attend for his
amusement at balls musical concerts, and assemblies for
dancing and card playing, and, in short, gratify to the full
every inclination of his animal nature. In this view of
riches, who would undervalue them, or find fault with any
how zealous soever they may have been in their endeavours to
obtain them, or whatever methods (should they be called, by
the envious, oppressive and unrighteous) they may have gone
into in order to acquire them?
. . . [2 more columns on the effects of acquiring wealth.]
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