1poured liquid gold into the gaping mouth of the slain Crassus, saying:
“Thou hast thirsted for gold, therefore drink gold.”
“Thou hast thirsted for gold, therefore drink gold.”
But why need I cite here these many examples from history?17 It is
almost our daily experience to learn that, for the sake of obtaining gold and
silver, doors are burst open, walls are pierced, wretched travellers are struck
down by rapacious and cruel men born to theft, sacrilege, invasion, and
robbery. We see thieves seized and strung up before us, sacrilegious persons
burnt alive, the limbs of robbers broken on the wheel, wars waged for the
same reason, which are not only destructive to those against whom they are
waged, but to those also who carry them on. Nay, but they say that the
precious metals foster all manner of vice, such as the seduction of women,
adultery, and unchastity, in short, crimes of violence against the person.
Therefore the Poets, when they represent Jove transformed into a golden
shower and falling into the lap of Danae, merely mean that he had found
for himself a safe road by the use of gold, by which he might enter the tower
for the purpose of violating the maiden. Moreover, the fidelity of many
men is overthrown by the love of gold and silver, judicial sentences are
bought, and innumerable crimes are perpetrated. For truly, as Propertius
says:
almost our daily experience to learn that, for the sake of obtaining gold and
silver, doors are burst open, walls are pierced, wretched travellers are struck
down by rapacious and cruel men born to theft, sacrilege, invasion, and
robbery. We see thieves seized and strung up before us, sacrilegious persons
burnt alive, the limbs of robbers broken on the wheel, wars waged for the
same reason, which are not only destructive to those against whom they are
waged, but to those also who carry them on. Nay, but they say that the
precious metals foster all manner of vice, such as the seduction of women,
adultery, and unchastity, in short, crimes of violence against the person.
Therefore the Poets, when they represent Jove transformed into a golden
shower and falling into the lap of Danae, merely mean that he had found
for himself a safe road by the use of gold, by which he might enter the tower
for the purpose of violating the maiden. Moreover, the fidelity of many
men is overthrown by the love of gold and silver, judicial sentences are
bought, and innumerable crimes are perpetrated. For truly, as Propertius
says:
“This is indeed the Golden Age.
The greatest rewards come from
gold; by gold love is won; by gold is faith destroyed; by gold is justice
bought; the law follows the track of gold, while modesty will soon
follow it when law is gone.”
gold; by gold love is won; by gold is faith destroyed; by gold is justice
bought; the law follows the track of gold, while modesty will soon
follow it when law is gone.”
Diphilus says:
“I consider that nothing is more powerful than gold.
By it all
things are torn asunder; all things are accomplished.”
things are torn asunder; all things are accomplished.”
Therefore, all the noblest and best despise these riches, deservedly and
with justice, and esteem them as nothing. And this is said by the old man
in Plautus:
with justice, and esteem them as nothing. And this is said by the old man
in Plautus:
“I hate gold.
It has often impelled many people to many wrong
acts.”
acts.”
In this country too, the poets inveigh with stinging reproaches against money
coined from gold and silver. And especially did Juvenal:
coined from gold and silver. And especially did Juvenal:
“Since the majesty of wealth is the most sacred thing among us;
although, O pernicious money, thou dost not yet inhabit a temple, nor
have we erected altars to money.”
although, O pernicious money, thou dost not yet inhabit a temple, nor
have we erected altars to money.”
And in another place:
“Demoralising money first introduced foreign customs, and
voluptuous wealth weakened our race with disgraceful luxury.”18
voluptuous wealth weakened our race with disgraceful luxury.”18
And very many vehemently praise the barter system which men used before
money was devised, and which even now obtains among certain simple
peoples.
money was devised, and which even now obtains among certain simple
peoples.
And next they raise a great outcry against other metals, as iron, than
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