“Indeed I should have given up all wealth and luxury. I am not regretting that!” exclaimed Armine, in unconscious blindness.
“I did not say you were.”
“I beg your pardon,” said Armine, thinking he had not caught the words.
“I said people did not know how they put their trust in riches.”
“I never thought I did.”
“Only that you think nothing can be done without them.”
“I don’t see how it can.”
“Don’t you? Well, the longer I live the more cause I see to dread and distrust what is done easily by force of wealth. Of course when the money is there, and is given along with one’s self (as I know you intended), it is providential, but I verily believe it intensifies difficulties and temptations. Poverty is almost as beneficial a sieve of motives and stimulus to energy as persecution itself.”
“There are so many things one can’t do.”
“Perhaps the fit time is not come for their being done. Or you want more training for doing them. Remember that to bring one’s good desires to good effect, there is a how to be taken into account. I know of a place where the mere knowledge that there are unlimited means to bestow seems to produce ingratitude and captiousness for whatever is done. On the other hand, I have seen a far smaller gift, that has cost an effort, most warmly and touchingly received. Again, the power of at once acting leads to over-haste, want of consideration, domineering, expectation of adulation, impatience of counsel or criticism.”