luxury

By whatever basis human desires are classified, the promise of an abundant life covers virtually all. To the spiritual it suggests escape from futility; to the sensuous it calls up visions of luxury; to the defeated it is a dream of success. To the idle it pledges ease; to the weary, rest; to the frightened it means safety; to the anxious, security; and to the improvident it conjures inexhaustible resources. Persuade a man that you can give him the thing he most desires and you will be his hero; offer him justification for his failures and he will be your disciple; assure him a boundless supply of "loaves and fishes" and he will seek to make you king.

Sincerity is the luxury allowed, like diadems and authority, only to the highest rank. . . . Every man alone is sincere. At the entrance of a second person, hypocrisy begins.

It is a luxury to be understood.

Men are conservatives when they are least vigorous, or when they are most luxurious. They are conservatives after dinner.

Wealth is the parent of luxury and indolence, and poverty of meanness and viciousness, and both of discontent.

The luxury of one's own opinion.

There is luxury in self-reproach. When we blame ourselves we feel that no one else has a right to blame us. It is the confession, not the priest, that gives us absolution.

Living in the lap of luxury isn't bad, except that you never know when luxury is going to stand up.

O Luxury! thou curst by Heaven's decree!

And learn the luxury of doing good.