He that will not exchange his riches now will not forsake them hereafter. He must forsake them but will hardly be persuaded to do it willingly. He will leave them but not forsake them, for which cause two dishonours cleave unto him; and if at death, eternally. First, he comes off the stage unwillingly, which is very unhandsome: and secondly, he prefers his riches above his happiness. Riches are but servants unto happiness; when they are impediments to it they cease to be riches. As long as they are conducive to Felicity they are desirable; but when they are incompatible are abominable. For what end are riches endeavoured, why do we desire them, but that we may be more happy? When we see the pursuit of riches destructive to Felicity, to desire them is of all things in nature the most absurd and the most foolish. I ever thought that nothing was desirable for itself but happiness, and that whatever else we desire, it is of value only in relation, and order to it. |