The proverb of George Herbert, that "debtors are liars," is
justified by experience. Shaftesbury somewhere says that a
restlessness to have something which we have not, and to be
something which we are not, is the root of all immorality. (14) No
reliance is to be placed on the saying--a very dangerous one--of
Mirabeau, that "LA PETITE MORALE ETAIT L'ENNEMIE DE LA GRANDE."
On the contrary, strict adherence to even the smallest details of
morality is the foundation of all manly and noble character.
The honourable man is frugal of his means, and pays his way
honestly. He does not seek to pass himself off as richer than he
is, or, by running into debt, open an account with ruin. As that
man is not poor whose means are small, but whose desires are
uncontrolled, so that man is rich whose means are more than
sufficient for his wants. When Socrates saw a great quantity of
riches, jewels, and furniture of great value, carried in pomp
through Athens, he said, "Now do I see how many things I do NOT
desire." "I can forgive everything but selfishness," said
Perthes. "Even the narrowest circumstances admit of greatness
with reference to 'mine and thine'; and none but the very poorest
need fill their daily life with thoughts of money, if they have
but prudence to arrange their housekeeping within the limits
of their income."
A man may be indifferent to money because of higher
considerations, as Faraday was, who sacrificed wealth to pursue
science; but if he would have the enjoyments that money can
purchase, he must honestly earn it, and not live upon the earnings
of others, as those do who habitually incur debts which they have
no means of paying.
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