Wealth
‹ 4 · Outline · 6 ›
5.Industry, frugality and the getting of a fortune
5a.Industry and thrift as means to wealth and independence
See also: Labor 2a
William Roper, The Life of Sir Thomas MoreVol. 36
- p. 90–91His office and learning brought him about four hundred pounds a year.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 42He insists on being paid for his work and will not surrender the vase without the money.read · scan
- p. 44–45He insists on payment before receipt and demands advance payment for new commissions; cardinals employ him and he earns plenty.read · scan
- p. 50The surgeon stipulates large fees and pays Cellini well, though the honor is worth far more.read · scan
- p. 60–61A single ring brought over forty crowns and noblemen paid a liberal present for the medal.read · scan
- p. 360The diamond was marked up from 16,000 to 25,000 ducats by a dealer; Cellini prefers to earn money by industry.read · scan
William Harrison, A Description of Elizabethan EnglandVol. 35
- p. 309Recompense of gain spurs better husbandry and greater profit from little land.read · scan
Sir Richard Steele, The Spectator ClubVol. 27
- p. 85Sir Andrew, a self-made merchant, holds that commerce and frugality enrich nations and men: a penny saved is a penny got.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 17He saves half his board money to buy books.read · scan
- p. 30–31Father promises to help set him up if he saves by steady industry and thrift.read · scan
- p. 44–45Beer spending each Saturday keeps workmen poor while Franklin saves.read · scan
- p. 54Industry acquires a good estate; Decow foresees Franklin's fortune.read · scan
- p. 58–59Industry brings business and credit to the new printing house.read · scan
- p. 63–64Franklin builds his printing and stationery business, pays off debt and wins credit through industry and frugality.read · scan
- p. 75Industry and frugality, per Solomon's proverb, seen as means to wealth and distinction.read · scan
- p. 80–81Frugality and industry free him from debt and bring independence, easing sincerity and justice.read · scan
- p. 85Industry and frugality gave early easy circumstances and fortune.read · scan
- p. 86Probity and integrity are the qualities likeliest to make a poor man's fortune.read · scan
- p. 91Proverbs on industry and frugality as means of procuring wealth, which secures virtue; a man in want finds honesty hard.read · scan
- p. 101Georgia settled by insolvent debtors and idle shopkeepers rather than industrious husbandmen; it perished.read · scan
- p. 103–104Franklin's profitable newspaper and remark that money is prolific; getting the second hundred pounds is easier than the first.read · scan
Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of NationsVol. 10
- p. 269–270Augmenting fortune by saving and accumulation is the usual means of bettering one's condition; bankruptcies are rare.read · scan
William Wordsworth, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 615–617Thrift and honourable gain; frugal simple fare of the pair.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 26–27Renzo, a saver in a year of scarcity, counts as rich in his station.read · scan
- p. 545Renzo carries his saved fifty scudi and frugal savings; the ironic knights-errant remark ties to political economy.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 201The bride wants to buy the beautiful dress, but the maiden will only let her earn it.read · scan
John Stuart Mill, AutobiographyVol. 25
- p. 53–54Discusses earning a livelihood and the uncertainty of writing as subsistence; friends are political economists.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 82–83Industrious, frugal foreigners take over trade, keeping shops and bartering goods for hides.read · scan
- p. 133Yankees cannot afford time for holidays.read · scan
James Russell Lowell, DemocracyVol. 28
- p. 462Immigrants added to national wealth; Irish peasants restore worn farms by industry and thrift.read · scan
5b.Fortunes made by trade and venture
See also: Diversion 12a
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 263–264Odysseus is said to delay his return to gather treasure, being skilled in gainful arts.read · scan
Aesop, FablesVol. 17
- p. 41–42She calculates a chain of purchases and sales from the milk money.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 403–404Servants entrusted with pounds to trade; reward for gain, the timid servant's pound taken; to him who has shall be given.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 20–21Inheritance, shop-keeping, calculation of gain and division of profit between brothers.read · scan
- p. 21–22The brothers calculate their property, bury half as reserve and trade abroad, gaining tenfold.read · scan
- p. 23–24He recovers his buried gold and reopens his shop.read · scan
- p. 177With his inheritance he plans to multiply glass sales into vast riches, imagining merchandise, jewels and houses.read · scan
- p. 235He buys merchandise and trades from island to island, and passengers abandon their goods to save their lives.read · scan
- p. 239–240Sindbad recovers his goods intact and gains profit and favour in the king's service.read · scan
- p. 241Sindbad sells and trades at great profit, returns to Baghdad rich, buying houses, servants and possessions.read · scan
- p. 243He invests a large sum in goods for trading voyages.read · scan
- p. 249Sindbad trades diamonds for goods, silver and gold and returns to Baghdad rich.read · scan
- p. 250He buys goods for a sea voyage, longing for commerce and profits.read · scan
- p. 259Sindibad profits greatly from trade and returns home enriched.read · scan
- p. 260He buys precious goods for another trading voyage.read · scan
- p. 279–281Sindbad sells and exchanges cocoa-nuts for pepper, cinnamon and pearls, growing rich by trade through the islands.read · scan
- p. 281God compensates Sindbad fourfold for his loss, and his gain makes him forget the hardship.read · scan
- p. 359–361Ala-ed-Din argues the Lamp is their sustenance and will make them rich, as the Moor's toil showed its value.read · scan
Geoffrey Chaucer, The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales; The Nun's Priest's TaleVol. 40
- p. 19The Lawyer's land purchases and the Franklin's plenty show prosperity.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 34–35They dispute whether small jewelry or large plate brings more profit and honour.read · scan
- p. 40Goldsmithing earns him more than playing; the Pope gives a hundred crowns and salary.read · scan
- p. 49He buys antiquities cheaply from peasants and resells them at tenfold profit, gaining cardinals' acquaintance.read · scan
William Harrison, A Description of Elizabethan EnglandVol. 35
- p. 325Graziers grow rich with skill at judging beasts, squeezing butchers; land prices reduce gain from cows.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 189–191Sancho delights in the found gold and Quixote lets him keep it.read · scan
- p. 382Proverb: Church, Sea or Court as paths to wealth or worth; goods divided into portions of money.read · scan
Edward Haies, Sir Humphrey Gilbert's Voyage to NewfoundlandVol. 33
- p. 268–269Gilbert's estate is impaired by expense of preparation; gentlemen adventure their substance.read · scan
Thomas Dekker, The Shoemaker's HolidayVol. 47
- p. 486–487Skipper and journeymen discuss a huge cargo of sugar, cambric and almonds; Eyre stands to gain greatly from a credit bargain in commodities.read · scan
- p. 489–490Eyre puts on an alderman's gown and takes up the ship bargain, expecting to rise to lord through trade.read · scan
- p. 490–491Eyre goes to buy the shipload of merchandise; fine clothing and status arrive with money.read · scan
- p. 494–496Hammon says he seeks not wealth; Scott reports Eyre's great gains from a single commodity.read · scan
- p. 520–521Eyre credits his fortune, chain of gold and finery to his journeyman's Portuguese, calling the finery vanity and trumpery.read · scan
Ben Jonson, The AlchemistVol. 47
- p. 543Subtle recalls Face's poverty and the credit and house that raised him; partnership for gain.read · scan
John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning EducationVol. 37
- p. 53Fathers seek their sons' fortune through boldness; Locke says virtue and breeding are the only sure foundation.read · scan
Voltaire, Letters on the EnglishVol. 34
- p. 158A merchant with plain arithmetic and good sense amasses fortune where the algebraist gains nothing.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 5He emerged from poverty and obscurity to affluence and reputation.read · scan
- p. 25Arrives nearly penniless; contrasts unlikely beginnings with later success.read · scan
- p. 37Osborne advises a mercantile career, where diligence could earn a trade.read · scan
- p. 47–48Denham grew rich as a merchant, and offers Franklin a clerkship with trade prospects.read · scan
- p. 53Partnership plans, capital, debts and profits; Keimer's failing shop and the paper-money job that props up Meredith.read · scan
- p. 59–60He plans a newspaper to rival a profitable, poorly managed one, and it becomes extremely profitable.read · scan
- p. 96–97Clerkship secured profitable printing of votes, laws and paper money.read · scan
- p. 111–112An iron-furnace owner and a London ironmonger profit from the stove, while Franklin seeks no profit from patents.read · scan
Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of NationsVol. 10
- p. 115–116Great fortunes arise from small beginnings in large towns through industry, frugality and accumulation; speculation yields sudden gains or losses.read · scan
William Wordsworth, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 620The tale of a boy who rose to great riches as a merchant and left estates to the poor inspires the plan to save the farm.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 54His father grew wealthy in trade and retired as a gentleman.read · scan
- p. 134–135Even dreams of making a fortune elsewhere lose their charm in exile from home.read · scan
- p. 637–638Renzo is burdened by the money and debates how to employ it, agriculture or business.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 184The silver axe is valued at four hundred thalers by the goldsmith.read · scan
Thomas Carlyle, Sir Walter ScottVol. 25
- p. 417–418Scott's poems earned huge sums; thousands of guineas and copies recorded as literary statistics.read · scan
- p. 439The novels were written faster and paid better than any other books.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, CharacterVol. 5
- p. 184–185Genius in trade lies in the man; the natural merchant has probity and insight, his enterprise centred in his brain.read · scan
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1325–1326Old companions marvel at Basil's domains, herds and patriarchal prosperity, and each resolves to do likewise.read · scan
- p. 1326Basil praises the fertile land, free herds and cheap lands available to exiles, where none can drive them from homesteads.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the BeagleVol. 29
- p. 334Mendoza's prosperity has declined; saying that it is good to live in but bad to grow rich in.read · scan
- p. 446–447The whole Australian population is bent on acquiring wealth; conversation turns on wool and sheep.read · scan
William Makepeace Thackeray, Jonathan SwiftVol. 28
- p. 10Swift turns his brains into gold, seeking livings, patents and posts.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Twenty-Four Years AfterVol. 23
- p. 387–388Los Angeles has grown into a flourishing town; traders are rich and vineyards promise a great wine-producing region.read · scan
- p. 398Melius failed in commercial life, while Stimson became a prosperous merchant.read · scan
5c.Prudent household economy and keeping accounts
Marcus Tullius Cicero, Letters of CiceroVol. 9
- p. 111Cicero reports on prices, purchase and improvement of estates, guaranteeing the money could not be better laid out.read · scan
- p. 171–172Instructions about repaying money, deposits, borrowing and a shrine fund show household financial dealings.read · scan
- p. 172–173Bill of exchange and yearly allowance arranged for the son's maintenance abroad.read · scan
Plutarch, PericlesVol. 12
- p. 52–54Pericles, though immensely powerful, never increased his patrimony and managed his estate by exact number and measure, buying household needs from market.read · scan
Plutarch, CiceroVol. 12
- p. 224His modest estates and wife's portion contrast with Crassus's riches; he uses Sicilian gifts to lower public food prices, not for profit.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 215True economy comes from restraint, not from treating guests rudely under a pretense of frugality.read · scan
- p. 246Pliny weighs buying an adjoining estate: its value, price, fertility, income and risks of property.read · scan
- p. 293Repairs to a decaying villa and the need for a suitable manager of country business.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 278–279He is advised to sell the nuts and save the rest to fund his voyage home.read · scan
- p. 362–363Ala-ed-Din sells the tray and plates and lives off the proceeds.read · scan
Geoffrey Chaucer, The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales; The Nun's Priest's TaleVol. 40
- p. 26The Manciple buys provisions shrewdly and the Reeve keeps grain and accounts strictly, both profiting.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 421He buys a farm for his lifetime, reckoning income and price, and takes security from the seller.read · scan
Michel de Montaigne, Of the Institution and Education of ChildrenVol. 32
- p. 40A young man should be taught to be sparing rather than prodigal and moderate in managing wealth.read · scan
William Harrison, A Description of Elizabethan EnglandVol. 35
- p. 283Costs the brew item by item to show a poor man on forty pounds a year gets ten score gallons for twenty shillings.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 17The gentleman's modest income goes mostly to food and fine clothes for holidays.read · scan
- p. 29The host argues knights-errant must have carried money and clean shirts though histories omit them, and advises Quixote to carry money.read · scan
- p. 29–31Squires carry money and salves for knights; the host advises Quixote never to travel without money.read · scan
- p. 255Her parents' riches earn them gentility; she manages accounts of mills, presses, cattle and hives.read · scan
Balow; The Old Cloak; Jolly Good Ale and OldVol. 40
- p. 186–188The husband wants a new cloak; wife urges thrift with the cow.read · scan
- p. 188–190The old cloak versus the cost of new clothes: thrift and pride in dress.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 19–20Parents' illiberality with allowance harms children; keep authority but not the purse.read · scan
- p. 71–72Bacon counsels limiting expense to estate, spending half of receipts, and looking into one's finances, clearing debt gradually.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of King LearVol. 46
- p. 233Fool's advice on keeping more than one shows and lending less; Lear has given away land and living, keeping nothing.read · scan
John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning EducationVol. 37
- p. 136Writing and accounts are indispensable to trade and commerce, but neglected in schools.read · scan
- p. 177–178Gentlemen should learn merchants' accounts, which preserve an estate by keeping income and expenses in view.read · scan
- p. 178Keeping accounts keeps a man within compass; the Venetian's son learned thrift by counting money he spent.read · scan
Jonathan Swift, On the Death of Esther Johnson [Stella]Vol. 27
- p. 126Stella's youthful hoarding, then squandering, then prudent economy; modest fortune, ready money and hospitality on limited means.read · scan
- p. 127She kept household accounts, lamented rising prices and falling interest, and managed a limited fortune carefully.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 45–46Franklin economizes on lodging and breakfast, intent on saving money.read · scan
- p. 93Knowledge of accounts protects against losses from crafty men and sustains a profitable mercantile house.read · scan
- p. 97–98Postmastership improved his newspaper and income; his competitor's neglect of accounts ruined him.read · scan
William Cowper, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 543–548Gilpin puts loss of pence above loss of time; wife is frugal.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Hermann and DorotheaVol. 19
- p. 356–358The innkeeper forgoes regilding his shop sign, dreading the cost of workmen's wages.read · scan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for ScandalVol. 18
- p. 196–197She laments having to save money just as she learned to waste it in fashionable town life.read · scan
William Ellery Channing, On the Elevation of the Laboring ClassesVol. 28
- p. 351–352Urges strict economy; waste on show and indulgence keeps laborers poor and near pauperism.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 497Agnese counts her fresh store of coins and linen, glad of her lot.read · scan
- p. 618–619Renzo offers Agnese the scudi she sent; she declines, saying he should keep them for setting up house.read · scan
- p. 620Money unexpectedly restored Agnese's property; Renzo resolves to sell his own, tangled property at any price.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 465Wordsworth praised for thrift and economy, a modest household charging friends for fare beyond bread.read · scan
John Stuart Mill, AutobiographyVol. 25
- p. 127–128The radical Review lost money; Mill took on the financial risk and paid contributors from his own pocket.read · scan
William Makepeace Thackeray, Jonathan SwiftVol. 28
- p. 16–17Swift was cautious with money but ready to relieve honest men, advising Gay to husband shillings.read · scan
5d.Prodigality and the squandering of inheritance
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 22The wooers waste his flocks and wine; he asks that his substance be restored.read · scan
- p. 39Nestor warns that the wanton men at home may devour Telemachus' substance while he wanders.read · scan
- p. 63The suitors devour the household's livelihood.read · scan
- p. 186The master's flocks are consumed by the wooers.read · scan
- p. 217–218The wooers devour and diminish Odysseus' household goods recklessly.read · scan
- p. 241–242Penelope laments the household wealth wasted by the wooers' daily feasting and lack of a protector.read · scan
- p. 278–279The herds increase yet strangers devour them and divide the lord's possessions.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 394–395The younger son squanders his portion and falls into poverty.read · scan
Plutarch, AlcibiadesVol. 12
- p. 114Extravagant expense on horses and chariots displays his riches and the lavish entertainments he gave.read · scan
Plutarch, CaesarVol. 12
- p. 267Caesar runs deeply into debt through profuse spending, buying popularity cheaply.read · scan
- p. 267–268He spends private and public funds lavishly on roads and spectacles to win favor.read · scan
Plutarch, AntonyVol. 12
- p. 336Wealth gained by violence wasted on players and flatterers; division of property.read · scan
- p. 337–338Antony levies contributions and seizes Asia's accumulated wealth, wasted on entertainers.read · scan
- p. 338Confiscated estates and Asia's tribute of two hundred thousand talents drained for favorites.read · scan
- p. 378–379Antony's birthday is kept with lavish prodigality that enriches guests despite fallen fortunes.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 884Man boasts of having wasted wealth in plenty.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 100Inheritance, merchandise and dowries; husbands squander and defraud the wives' money.read · scan
- p. 107–108She inherits eighty thousand gold pieces under the law and spends lavishly on clothes.read · scan
- p. 128The narrator squanders all his gold on a life of feasting; verses lament how poverty dims a man and estranges even his relations.read · scan
- p. 144Profit on merchandise, rent and gold pieces spent on feasts show money quickly used on pleasure.read · scan
- p. 146He squanders his money in Egypt for years until nothing remains but the year's rent.read · scan
- p. 200–201Nur-ed-Din squanders his inheritance on lavish gifts, rejecting the steward's warning that spending without calculation brings poverty.read · scan
- p. 201–202Nur-ed-Din learns his fortune is spent; verses say liberality will not exhaust wealth in prosperity nor avarice keep it.read · scan
- p. 203Having sold all his movables, he is reduced to selling Enis-el-Jelis to recoup part of her price.read · scan
- p. 207Nur-ed-Din's prodigality leaves him bankrupt, forced to sell houses, gardens and finally the slave-girl.read · scan
- p. 234–235Sindibad squanders his inherited fortune on pleasures and friends, then sells everything to raise silver for trade.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, HellVol. 20
- p. 121Sarcastic praise of Sienese squanderers who wasted vineyards, woods and fortune on luxuries and spices.read · scan
Jean Froissart, The Chronicles of FroissartVol. 35
- p. 58Winnings squandered foolishly in revelry at Bordeaux.read · scan
Traditional BalladsVol. 40
- p. 57–59He leaves his towers and hall to fall and his family to beg.read · scan
- p. 182–184Robin spends a hundred pounds and his men's fees at court in a year, so his wealth is gone.read · scan
William Caxton, Prefaces and EpiloguesVol. 39
- p. 15London is less wealthy than in his youth; inherited goods are squandered by heirs.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 17Dispute over the father's squandering of property and the duty to leave children enough to help others.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 18He sells acres of arable land to buy books of chivalry.read · scan
- p. 382Father's prodigality versus hoarding; generosity said to be shaped by soldiering; without goods even Alexander would seem a miser.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of DenmarkVol. 46
- p. 174Twenty thousand ducats and men spent over worthless land.read · scan
Thomas Dekker, The Shoemaker's HolidayVol. 47
- p. 469Lincoln laments his nephew's spendthrift ways, squandering coin and credit abroad; the mayor fears courtiers' extravagance would waste his fortune.read · scan
Ben Jonson, The AlchemistVol. 47
- p. 603–604Gaming, spendthrift heirs, credit and commodity-swindles are described as ways of living by one's wits.read · scan
Philip Massinger, A New Way to Pay Old DebtsVol. 47
- p. 859Wellborn's squandered inheritance of twelve hundred a year has left him a ruined prodigal, scorned by those he once enriched.read · scan
Voltaire, Letters on the EnglishVol. 34
- p. 90–91Villains grew rich by industry and bought up estates of extravagant peers.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 64Rivals' business fortunes rise and fall; Harry's expense and neglect ruin him, and Bradford's post-office advantage brings him advertisements.read · scan
- p. 122Money is soon spent, leaving only regret, unlike a lasting skill.read · scan
Samuel Johnson, Life of Addison, 1672-1719Vol. 27
- p. 156–157Steele's profusion keeps him necessitous; he borrows a hundred pounds and Addison has him pursued by execution for repayment.read · scan
Samuel Johnson, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 503–504Satire on a young heir coming of age who squanders his inheritance; wealth made to wander.read · scan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for ScandalVol. 18
- p. 125–126Charles's ruin is described in detail: no money, all movables sold, only empty bottles and family pictures left.read · scan
- p. 126–127Lady Teazle squanders his fortune on fashionable extravagance.read · scan
- p. 145–146Lady Teazle wheedles two hundred pounds and an independent settlement from her husband.read · scan
- p. 148–149Sir Oliver notes the ruined Charles's extravagance and servants; Joseph's economy in selling the house is reprehensible.read · scan
- p. 156–157Prodigal Charles liquidates his inheritance to raise cash, jesting that he is a bargain-seller of forefathers.read · scan
- p. 158–160Ancestors are bargained over in pounds and guineas.read · scan
- p. 160–161Charles sells the rest in a lump but rejects an eight hundred pound draft for the one picture.read · scan
- p. 161–162Careless advises Charles not to pay tradesmen's debts, calling them exorbitant.read · scan
- p. 169–170Deeds settling eight hundred a year and the bulk of his fortune on Lady Teazle as remedy for her complaints about money.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 106–108Bards spend whatever is in the pouch and then care no more; the world may play tricks but the muse remains.read · scan
- p. 155Gentry squander estates and entails, while poor tenants labour to supply their money.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 54–56His property is drained by his enterprises and his rivalry in magnificence.read · scan
- p. 640A dissolute heir sells the mill cheaply for ready cash; Renzo and Bortolo buy it in partnership.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 412–413Vast expense, servants and debt burden great houses; dukes in pawn or exile for debt.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 344The merchant's clever money-making contrasts with the son, who squanders the fortune on masquerades and gold-pebbles until he has nothing.read · scan
- p. 351The soldier spends money recklessly, loses friends when poor, and is reduced to a garret.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 139–140Money governs their willingness to work; they spend freely without saving and will accept low pay later.read · scan
- p. 140They will spend all their money, and only when it is gone will they work.read · scan
- p. 231–232The family's estate was consumed by extravagance and lack of funds, leaving the son poor but proud.read · scan
5e.Ill-gotten gains and the right means of enrichment
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 191Booty from raids and inheritance by lot raise his house and standing among Cretans.read · scan
- p. 318–319Odysseus tells Penelope to tend his wealth and says he will replace slain sheep by raiding and gifts.read · scan
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 12–13Wealth and honours must not be kept by wrong, nor poverty escaped by wrong.read · scan
The Book of JobVol. 44
- p. 101–102Riches gained by oppressing the poor are vomited up and restored; possessions do not last.read · scan
The Bhagavad-Gita; or, Song CelestialVol. 45
- p. 787He rejects triumph, wealth and ease gained by killing kin.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 402Rich chief publican Zacchaeus gives half his goods to the poor and restores fourfold anything wrongly exacted.read · scan
Plutarch, CoriolanusVol. 12
- p. 152–154Soldiers plunder for booty and enrichment.read · scan
Plutarch, AntonyVol. 12
- p. 359Soldiers murder and plunder those thought to have money, seize Antony's rich plate; Antony pays Mithridates with gold.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 226–228Regulus obtains a legacy from the sick widow through fraud.read · scan
- p. 228Regulus rises from poverty to immense riches through villainy and manipulated wills.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 72The raiders seize the treasure and presents meant for the King of India.read · scan
- p. 184Stolen goods are divided by the Wali, who keeps a share out of fear of the Sultan.read · scan
- p. 441Ali Baba takes the cave's gold as his own and passes the secret to his son, who live in splendour.read · scan
Geoffrey Chaucer, The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales; The Nun's Priest's TaleVol. 40
- p. 26The Reeve enriches himself secretly, lending his lord his own goods and gaining thanks; all fear his cunning.read · scan
Traditional BalladsVol. 40
- p. 129–131Robin will not dine until a rich baron, knight or guest comes who can pay well.read · scan
- p. 150–152They carry off the sheriff's silver vessels and three hundred pounds to Robin.read · scan
- p. 159–161Robin searches the monk's coffers, taking the eight hundred pounds found beyond the twenty marks admitted, and offers the honest to lend.read · scan
- p. 175–177Robin asks the rich churchmen to share; he takes forty pounds and divides it among his men, giving the abbot back some.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 109Cellini argues counterfeiting pays less than honest die-cutting, which earns him three crowns each morning, and coiners lack ability.read · scan
William Harrison, A Description of Elizabethan EnglandVol. 35
- p. 373Townsmen profit from students by extreme prices, but ill-gotten goods do not endure.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 286Gines has stolen and tries to sell the ass; Don Quixote keeps his warrant for three colts.read · scan
- p. 411She says she will carry the valuables of the house that will enrich them all.read · scan
- p. 411Zoraida returns laden with a casket of gold.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, Preface to the History of the WorldVol. 39
- p. 92Honor and riches are not to be despised if well gotten, but must not be built on others' ruin; scripture condemns gain by violence.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 87Great riches give the owner no solid use; get them justly, use soberly and distribute cheerfully; hasty enrichment is guilty, and most ways are foul.read · scan
- p. 87–88Ways of enrichment: husbandry, trades, bargains, usury, inventions, monopolies; advice to guard adventures with certainties.read · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 800Bosola contrasts honest wealth that comes slowly with wealth from the devil that comes fast.read · scan
Philip Massinger, A New Way to Pay Old DebtsVol. 47
- p. 896He boasts his daughter is the child of his industry and wealth, and pursues curses-bringing means to make her great.read · scan
Sir Henry Vane, A Healing QuestionVol. 43
- p. 128Enriching ourselves from the gains of conquest, as Achan converted spoil to private use, is condemned.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 147–148Men pursue wealth without just title or strength to hold it.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 102–103By-ends made his estate by looking one way and rowing another.read · scan
John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning EducationVol. 37
- p. 176A gamester's living is a poor trade bought at the price of reputation.read · scan
William Penn, Some Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 344–345Neither part lightly with hard-gotten goods nor hoard; greedy gain by oppression poisons the rest.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 211–212Substance gathered in honesty may be bequeathed as God's gift.read · scan
- p. 285–286Trading with oppressors for gain makes them easy in their conduct; he declines to use slave-produced sugar and thinks such trade requires serious consideration.read · scan
- p. 291–292Trade conducted through impure channels.read · scan
Edmund Burke, A Letter to a Noble LordVol. 24
- p. 401–402Compares origins of fortunes: plunder, confiscation and grants of church property versus a modest royal pension.read · scan
- p. 402–403Burke promoted the commerce, manufactures and agriculture of the kingdom, while the ancestor brought poverty and depopulation.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 64The travelers pay the host with an egg and the duck, and then steal awayread · scan
- p. 129Robbers plot to steal the King's treasure and Thumbling throws out the thalers.read · scan
- p. 129–131Robbers divide the booty and Thumbling takes only a kreuzer because it is all he can carry.read · scan
- p. 193–194The peasant tricks the family out of a purse of money and a horse.read · scan
- p. 195Husband gains a horse and purse for two lean cows and jokes he would honour stupidity if it paid so well.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, CompensationVol. 5
- p. 95Unjust accumulation of property is avenged, and borrowing and receiving favors create debt and inferiority.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 165Administradores plunder mission possessions to make their fortunes, diminishing trade and credit.read · scan
Frank Aretas Haskell, The Battle of GettysburgVol. 43
- p. 410Stores, houses and citizens were plundered of goods, money and watches without pay.read · scan
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