It is common to find a man poor in determining the natural end of life but rich with empty fancies. For no fool is satisfied with what he has, but is distressed for what he has not. Just as men with a fever, through the malignancy of their disease, are always thirsty and desire the most injurious things, so too those whose mind is in an evil state are always poor in everything and in their greed are plunged into capricious desires. Nothing satisfies the man who is not satisfied with a little. Self-sufficiency is the greatest of all wealth.
Most men fear frugality and through their fear are led to actions most likely to produce fear.
Many men when they have acquired riches have not found the escape from their ills but have only exchanged them for greater ills. By means of occupations worthy of a beast, abundance of riches is heaped up, but a miserable life results. The crude soul is puffed up by prosperity and cast down by misfortune. He who least needs tomorrow, will most gladly greet tomorrow. I spit upon the beautiful and those who vainly admire it, when it does not produce any pleasure.