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Literary
February 10, 1774
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Voltaire's essay excerpt defends luxury as evidence of good sense, industry, and progress, using examples like the invention of shoes and shirts, and a dialogue between a Norwegian and a Dutch merchant criticizing modern comforts.
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Full Text
Articles from Voltaire's
QUESTIONS SUR L'ENCYCLOPEDIE.
LUXURY.
In a Country where the People should go barefoot, ought the first Person that procured a Pair of Shoes to be blamed for Luxury? Would it not rather be a Proof of his good Sense and Industry?
May not the same be said of him who first wore a Shirt? As to the Man who first contrived to have his Shirt washed, and wore it a second and a third Time, and so on, I look upon him to have been a prodigious Genius, and dare say that he was capable of governing a State. Nevertheless, it is probable that he was considered, by those who did not wear clean Linen, as an effeminate Person, who was likely to corrupt the Manners of the People.
It is not long Since that a Norwegian reproached a Dutchman with Luxury. What is become, said he, of those happy Times, when a Merchant, on going from Amsterdam to the Indies, left a Quarter of dried Beef in his Kitchen, and found it at his Return?
Where are your wooden Spoons and Iron Forks? Is it not a Shame for a sober Dutchman to lie in a Damask Bed? Go to Batavia; answered the Man of Amsterdam, get ten Tuns of Gold, as I have done, and see whether you will not want to be a little better clothed, fed, and lodged.
QUESTIONS SUR L'ENCYCLOPEDIE.
LUXURY.
In a Country where the People should go barefoot, ought the first Person that procured a Pair of Shoes to be blamed for Luxury? Would it not rather be a Proof of his good Sense and Industry?
May not the same be said of him who first wore a Shirt? As to the Man who first contrived to have his Shirt washed, and wore it a second and a third Time, and so on, I look upon him to have been a prodigious Genius, and dare say that he was capable of governing a State. Nevertheless, it is probable that he was considered, by those who did not wear clean Linen, as an effeminate Person, who was likely to corrupt the Manners of the People.
It is not long Since that a Norwegian reproached a Dutchman with Luxury. What is become, said he, of those happy Times, when a Merchant, on going from Amsterdam to the Indies, left a Quarter of dried Beef in his Kitchen, and found it at his Return?
Where are your wooden Spoons and Iron Forks? Is it not a Shame for a sober Dutchman to lie in a Damask Bed? Go to Batavia; answered the Man of Amsterdam, get ten Tuns of Gold, as I have done, and see whether you will not want to be a little better clothed, fed, and lodged.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Commerce Trade
Social Manners
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Luxury
Industry
Progress
Manners
Commerce
Satire
What entities or persons were involved?
Voltaire
Literary Details
Title
Luxury
Author
Voltaire
Subject
On Luxury As Progress And Industry
Key Lines
In A Country Where The People Should Go Barefoot, Ought The First Person That Procured A Pair Of Shoes To Be Blamed For Luxury? Would It Not Rather Be A Proof Of His Good Sense And Industry?
As To The Man Who First Contrived To Have His Shirt Washed, And Wore It A Second And A Third Time, And So On, I Look Upon Him To Have Been A Prodigious Genius, And Dare Say That He Was Capable Of Governing A State.
Go To Batavia; Answered The Man Of Amsterdam, Get Ten Tuns Of Gold, As I Have Done, And See Whether You Will Not Want To Be A Little Better Clothed, Fed, And Lodged.