Chapter III

You also, O earthly creatures, though slightly and as it were in a dream
acknowledge your beginning, and though not perspicuously yet in some
sort behold that true end of happiness, so that the intention of nature
leadeth you to the true good, and manifold error withdraweth you from
it. For consider whether those things, by which men think to obtain
happiness, can bring them to their desired end. For if either money, or
honour, or any of the rest be of that quality that they want nothing
which is good, we will also confess that they are able to make men
happy. But if they neither be able to perform that they promise, and
want many things which are good, are they not manifestly discovered to
have a false appearance of happiness? First then, I ask thee thyself,
who not long since didst abound with wealth; in that plenty of riches,
was thy mind never troubled with any injuries?" "I cannot remember,"
quoth I, "that ever my mind was so free from trouble but that something
or other still vexed me." "Was it not because thou either wantedst
something which thou wouldst have had, or else hadst something which
thou wouldst have wanted?" "It is true," quoth I. "Then thou desiredst
the presence of that, and the absence of this?" "I confess I did," quoth
I. "And doth not a man want that," quoth she, "which he desireth?" "He
doth," quoth I. "But he that wanteth anything is not altogether
sufficient of himself?" "He is not," quoth I. "So that thou feltest this
insufficiency, even the height of thy wealth?" "Why not?" quoth I. "Then
riches cannot make a man wanting nothing nor sufficient of himself, and
this was that they seemed to promise. But this is most of all to be
considered, that money hath nothing of itself which can keep it from
being taken from them which possess it, against their will." "I grant
it," quoth I. "Why shouldst thou not grant it, since that every day
those which are more potent take it from others perforce? For from
whence proceed so many complaints in law, but that money gotten either
by violence or deceit is sought to be recovered by that means?" "It is
so indeed," quoth I. "So that every man needeth some other help to
defend his money?" "Who denies that?" quoth I. "But he should not need
that help, unless he had money which he might lose?" "There is no doubt
of that," quoth I. "Now then the matter is fallen out quite contrary;
for riches, which are thought to suffice of themselves, rather make men
stand in need of other helps. And after what manner do riches expel
penury? For are not rich men hungry? Are they not thirsty? Or doth much
money make the owners senseless of cold in winter? But thou wilt say,
wealthy men have wherewithal to satisfy their hunger, slake their
thirst, and defend themselves from cold. But in this sort, though want
may be somewhat relieved by wealth, yet it cannot altogether be taken
away. For if ever gaping and craving it be satiated by riches, there
must needs always remain something to be satiated. I omit, that to
nature very little, to covetousness nothing is sufficient. Wherefore if
riches can neither remove wants, and cause some themselves, why imagine
you that they can cause sufficiency?

III.

Quamuis fluente diues auri gurgite
Non expleturas cogat auarus opes
Oneretque bacis colla rubri litoris
Ruraque centeno scindat opima boue,
Nec cura mordax deseret superstitem, 5
Defunctumque leues non comitantur opes.

III.

Although the rich man from his mines of gold
Dig treasure which his mind can never fill,
And lofty neck with precious pearls enfold,
And his fat fields with many oxen till,
Yet biting cares will never leave his head,
Nor will his wealth attend him being dead.