“Ambition is the wealth of the poor.”
“Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.”
No known citation
Misattributed
The Analects, The Doctrine of the Mean
Context: The superior man does what is proper to the station in which he is; he does not desire to go beyond this. In a position of wealth and honor, he does what is proper to a position of wealth and honor. In a poor and low position, he does what is proper to a poor and low position. Situated among barbarous tribes, he does what is proper to a situation among barbarous tribes. In a position of sorrow and difficulty, he does what is proper to a position of sorrow and difficulty. The superior man can find himself in no situation in which he is not himself. In a high situation, he does not treat with contempt his inferiors. In a low situation, he does not court the favor of his superiors. He rectifies himself, and seeks for nothing from others, so that he has no dissatisfactions. He does not murmur against Heaven, nor grumble against men. Thus it is that the superior man is quiet and calm, waiting for the appointments of Heaven, while the mean man walks in dangerous paths, looking for lucky occurrences.
Source: Translations, The Aeneid of Virgil (1866), Book VIII, p. 286
“Do not desire wealth for giving to the poor.”
Outline Teaching on Asceticism and Stillness in the Solitary Life, vol. 1, p. 32
The Philokalia
“You will always be poor, if you are poor, Aemilianus. Wealth is given to-day to none save the rich.”
Semper eris pauper, si pauper es, Aemiliane;
Dantur opes nulli nunc, nisi divitibus.
Semper eris pauper, si pauper es, Aemiliane;
Dantur opes nulli nunc, nisi divitibus.
V, 81 (Loeb translation).
Epigrams (c. 80 – 104 AD)
