Men are not rich or poor according to what they possess but to what they desire. The only rich man is he that with content enjoys a competence. _R. Chamberlain._ 472. Poverty is not dishonourable in itself, but only when it arises from idleness, intemperance, extravagance, and folly. _Plutarch._ 473. Do nothing rashly; want of circumspection is the chief cause of failure and disaster. Fortune, wise lover of the wise, selects him for her lord who ere he acts reflects. _Bhāravi._ 474. First think, and if thy thoughts approve thy will, Then speak, and after, what thou speak’st fulfil. _Randolph._ 475. It cannot but be injurious to the human mind never to be called into effort: the habit of receiving pleasure without any exertion of thought, by the mere excitement of curiosity, and sensibility, may be justly ranked among the worst effects of habitual novel-reading. _Coleridge._ 476. Patience is the chiefest fruit of study; a man that strives to make himself different from other men by much reading gains this chiefest good, that in all fortunes he hath something to entertain and comfort himself withal. _Selden._ 477. Friendship throws a greater lustre on prosperity, while it lightens adversity by sharing in its griefs and troubles. _Cicero._ 478. There is nothing more becoming a wise man than to make choice of friends, for by them thou shalt be judged what thou art. Let them therefore be wise and virtuous, and none of those that follow thee for gain; but make election rather of thy betters than thy inferiors; shunning always such as are poor and needy, for if thou givest twenty gifts and refuse to do the like but once, all that thou hast done will be lost, and such men will become thy mortal enemies. _Sir W. Raleigh, to his Son._ 479. Learning is like Scanderbeg’s sword, either good or bad according to him who hath it: an excellent weapon, if well used; otherwise, like a sharp razor in the hand of a child. _R. Chamberlain._ 480. The greater part of mankind employ their first years to make their last miserable. _La Bruyère._ 481. I hate the miser, whose unsocial breast Locks from the world his useless stores. Wealth by the bounteous only is enjoyed, Whose treasures, in diffusive good employed, The rich return of fame and friends procure, And ’gainst a sad reverse a safe retreat secure. _Pindar._ 482.