Ulla brevem dominum sequetur!
Surely were not these truths too plain to be observed, because they are too plain to be denied, no man that is to die could possibly trust, for help, in uncertain riches!
20. *And trust not in them for happiness. For here also they will be found deceitful upon the weights. Indeed this every reasonable man may infer, from what has been observed already. For if neither thousands of gold and silver, norany of the advantages or pleasures purchased thereby, can prevent our being miserable, it evidently follows, they cannot make us happy. What happiness can they afford to him, who in the midst of all is constrained to cry out,
“To my new courts sad thought does still repair,
And round my gilded roofs hangs hovering care.”
Indeed experience is here so full, strong, and undeniable, that it makes all other arguments needless. Appeal we therefore to fact. Are the rich and great, the only happy men? And is each of them more or less happy, in proportion to his measure of riches? Are they happy at all? I had well nigh said, they are of all men most miserable! Rich man, for once, speak the truth from thy heart. Speak, both for thyself, and for thy brethren,
“Amidst our plenty something still—
To me, to thee, to him is wanting!
That cruel something unpossest
Corrodes and leavens all the rest.”