# Misers

A miser is a person who is reluctant to spend, sometimes to the point of forgoing even basic comforts and some necessities, in order to hoard money or other possessions. Although the word is sometimes used loosely to characterise anyone who is mean with their money, if such behaviour is not accompanied by taking delight in what is saved, it is not properly miserly.

## Quotes

* And were it not that they are loath to lay out money on a rope, they would be hanged forthwith, and sometimes die to save charges.
** Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), Part I, Section II. Memb. 3. Subsec. 12.
* A mere madness, to live like a wretch, and die rich.
** Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), Part I, Section II. Memb. 3. Subsec. 13.
* Truly, misers fare not to heavenly realms; nor, indeed, do fools praise generosity. But the wise man rejoices in giving, and by that alone does he become happy hereafter.
** Dhammapada 177
* Hoards after hoards his rising raptures fill; Yet still he sighs, for hoards are wanting still.
** Oliver Goldsmith, The Traveller (1764).
* Quærit, et inventis miser abstinet, ac timet uti.
** The miser acquires, yet fears to use his gains.
** Horace, Ars Poetica (18 BC), 170.
* His heart is like a maggot-eaten nut: There's nothing in it ; but 'tis closely shut.
** Letitia Elizabeth Landon, The London Literary Gazette (1st October 1831) 'Epigram of a Miser'
* The unsunn'd heaps Of miser's treasures.
** John Milton, Comus (1637), line 398.
* He sat among his bags, and, with a look Which hell might be ashamed of, drove the poor Away unalmsed; and midst abundance died— Sorest of evils!—died of utter want.
** Robert Pollok, The Course of Time (1827), Book III, line 276.
* 'Tis strange the miser should his cares employ To gain those riches he can ne'er enjoy; Is it less strange the prodigal should waste His wealth to purchase what he ne'er can taste?
** Alexander Pope, Moral Essays (1731-35), Epistle IV, line 1.
* Decrepit miser; base, ignoble wretch; I am descended of a gentler blood.
** William Shakespeare, Henry VI, Part I (c. 1588-90), Act V, scene 4, line 7.

### Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations

    Quotes reported in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations (1922), p. 517.
* If I knew a miser, who gave up every kind of comfortable living, all the pleasure of doing good to others, all the esteem of his fellow-citizens, and the joys of benevolent friendship, for the sake of accumulating wealth, Poor man, said I, you pay too much for your whistle.
** Benjamin Franklin, The Whistle.
* Abiturus illuc priores abierunt, Quid mente cæca torques spiritum? Tibi dico, avare.
** Since you go where all have gone before, why do you torment your disgraceful life with such mean ambitions, O miser?
** Phaedrus, Fables, IV. 19. 16.
* Tam deest avaro quod habet, quam quod non habet.
** The miser is as much in want of what he has, as of what he has not.
** Syrus, Maxims.
* Misers are evil people, they turn away and disregard others.
** Sirach 14:8 (New American Bible Revised Edition)

## See also

* Charity
* Greed
* Mammon
* Property
* Selfishness

## External links

* The Lives and Anecdotes of Misers, by F. Somner Merryweather; 1850