Lesson 3 – of Riches and Poverty

From the wisdom of the sages.

1. Sufficiency is better in riches, than Abundance.
2. No-one is rich who enjoys not his own goods.
3. Virtue is greater riches than either Silver or Gold.
4. Labour for the Riches that after death profit the Soul!
5. Wisdom is the Treasure wherewith man ought to enrich himself.
6. A covetous man cannot be rich.
7. To delight in Riches is dangerous vice.
8. Poverty with surety is better than Riches with fear.
9. Purchase your Riches truly; and spend them liberally!
10. Abstinence from Covetousness is great Riches.
11. Have no regard for gold and silver for when you gather great treasures you also gather heavy thoughts: whereas Wisdom daily increases in both joy and gladness.
12. Joyous and glad poverty is an honest thing.
13. He has most who covets least.
14. He is not thought poor when the little that he has is sufficient.
15. Not he that has little, but he that desires much, is poor.
16. He is rich, that contents himself with his Poverty.
17. A wise man needs nothing.
18. There is no fault in Poverty; but their minds that so think it, are faulty.
19. He is mighty which, having Riches is poor: but he is more mighty which, being poor, is rich.
20. Not to desire Riches is the greatest Riches.
21. To know how to use Poverty well, is a great blessedness.
22. He has most, that covets least.
23. No man is poor; but he that thinks himself poor.
24. He that is content and satisfied with himself, is born with great Riches.
25. Riches, for the most part, are hurtful to those that possess them.