s? First then, I ask thee thyself,
who not long since didst abound with wealth; in that plenty of riches,
was thy mind never troubled with any injuries?" "I cannot remember,"
quoth I, "that ever my mind was so free from trouble but that something
or other still vexed me." "Was it not because thou either wantedst
something which thou wouldst have had, or else hadst something which
thou wouldst have wanted?" "It is true," quoth I. "Then thou desiredst
the presence of that, and the absence of this?" "I confess I did," quoth
I. "And doth not a man want that," quoth she, "which he desireth?" "He
doth," quoth I. "But he that wanteth anything is not altogether
sufficient of himself?" "He is not," quoth I. "So that thou feltest this
insufficiency, even the height of thy wealth?" "Why not?" quoth I. "Then
riches cannot make a man wanting nothing nor sufficient of himself, and
this was that they seemed to promise. But this is most of all to be
considered, that money hath nothing of itself which can keep it from
being taken from them which possess it, against their will." "I grant
it," quoth I. "Why shouldst thou not grant it, since that every day
those which are more potent take it from others perforce? For from
whence proceed so many complaints in law, but that money gotten either
by violence or deceit is sought to be recovered by that means?" "It is
so indeed," quoth I. "So that every man needeth some other help to
defend his money?" "Who denies that?" quoth I. "But he should not need
that help, unless he had money which he might lose?" "There is no doubt
of that," quoth I. "Now then the matter is fallen out quite contrary;
for riches, which are thought to suffice of themselves, rather make men
stand in need of other helps. And after what manner do riches expel
penury? For are not rich men hungry? Are they not thirsty? Or doth much
money make the owners senseless of cold in winter? But thou wilt say,
wealthy men have wherewithal to satisfy their hunger, slake their
thirst, and defend themselves from cold. But in this sort, though want
may be somewhat relieved by wealth, yet it cannot altogether be taken
away. For if ever gaping and craving it be satiated by riches, there
must needs always remain something to be satiated. I omit, that to
nature very little, to covetousness nothing is sufficient. Wherefore if
riches can neither remove wants, and cause some themselve