VII
We shall yet, cousin, consider in these outward goods of
fortune--as riches, good name, honest estimation, honourable fame,
and authority--in all these things we shall, I say, consider that
we love them and set by them either as things commodious unto us
for the state and condition of this present life, or else as things
that we purpose by the good use of them to make matter of our
merit, with God's help, in the life to come.
Let us then first consider them as things set by and beloved for
the pleasure and commodity of them for this present life.
VIII
Now, as for riches, if we consider it well, the commodity that we
take of it is not so great as our own foolish affection and fancy
maketh us imagine it. I deny not that it maketh us go much more gay
and glorious in sight, garnished in silk--but wool is almost as
warm! It maketh us have great plenty of many kinds of delicate and
delicious victuals, and thereby to make more excess--but less
exquisite and less superfluous fare, with fewer surfeits and fewer
fevers too, would be almost as wholesome! Then, the labour in
getting riches, the fear in keeping them, and the pain in parting
from them, do more than counterweight a great part of all the
pleasure and commodity that they bring.
Besides this, riches are the thing that taketh many times from its
master all his pleasure and his life, too.
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