The gold or the heaps of money? But these make a fairer show when they
are spent than when they are kept. For covetousness alway maketh men
odious, as liberality famous. And if a man cannot have that which is
given to another, then money is precious when, bestowed upon others, by
the use of liberality it is not possessed any longer. But if all the
money in the whole world were gathered into one man's custody, all other
men should be poor. The voice at the same time wholly filleth the ears
of many, but your riches cannot pass to many, except they be diminished,
which being done, they must needs make them poor whom they leave. O
scant and poor riches, which neither can be wholly possessed of many,
and come to none without the impoverishment of others! Doth the
glittering of jewels draw thy eyes after them? But if there be any great
matter in this show, not men but the jewels shine, which I exceedingly
marvel that men admire. For what is there wanting life and members that
may justly seem beautiful to a nature not only endued with life but also
with reason? Which, though by their maker's workmanship and their own
variety they have some part of basest beauty, yet it is so far inferior
to your excellency that it did in no sort deserve your admiration. Doth
the pleasant prospect of the fields delight you? Why not? For it is a
fair portion of a most fair work. So we are delighted with a calm sea,
so we admire the sky, the stars, the sun, and the moon. Do any of these
belong to thee? Darest thou boast of the beauty which any of them have?
Art thou thyself adorned with May flowers? Or doth thy fertility teem
with the fruits of summer? Why rejoicest thou vainly? Why embracest thou
outward goods as if they were thine own? Fortune will never make those
things thine which by the appointment of Nature belong not to thee. The
fruits of the earth are doubtless appointed for the sustenance of living
creatures. But if thou wilt only satisfy want, which sufficeth Nature,
there is no cause to require the superfluities of fortune. For Nature is
contented with little and with the smallest things, and, if, being
satisfied, thou wilt overlay it with more than needs, that which thou
addest will either become unpleasant or hurtful. But perhaps thou
thinkest it a fine thing to go decked in gay apparel, which, if they
make a fair show, I will admire either the goodness of the stuff or