The Ladies' Garland

CONTENTMENT

All the principal pleasures and conveniences of
life lie in a narrow compass; but it is the honour of mankind to be always looking forward,
and straining after one who has got the start of
that in wealth and honor. For this reason, as
there are none can properly be called rich, who
have not more than they want: there are few
rich men many of the politer nations but among
the middle sort of the people, who keep their
wishes within their fortunes, and have more
wealth than they know how to enjoy.

Persons of a higher rank live in a kind of
splendid poverty; and are perpetually wanting,
because, instead of acquiring in the solid
pleasures of life, they attempt to outvie one
another in shadows and appearances. Men of
sense have at all times beheld with a great deal
of mirth this silly game that is playing over
their heads; and by contracting their desires
enjoy all that secret satisfaction which others
are always in quest of

The truth is, this ridiculous chase after imaginary pleasures cannot be sufficiently exposed,
as it is the great source of those evils which
generally undo a nation. If a man's estate
be what it will, he is a poor man, if he does not
live within it and naturally sets himself to sale
to any one that can give him his price.

When Pittacus, after the death of his brother,
who had left him a good estate, was offered a
great sum of money by the king of Lydia, he
thanked him for his kindness, but told him he
had already more by half than he knew what to
do with in it. Content is equivalent to
wealth, and luxury to poverty; or to give the
thought a more agreeable turn. Contentment natural wealth, says Socrates; to which I add,
Luxury is artificial poverty [Addison.

Let no allurements nor precepts of fashion
induce you to slight the warnings of conscience.