193                              OF RICHES.
 

XXXIV.

OF RICHES.

I cannot call riches better than the baggage of
virtue ; the Roman word is better, impedimenta.
For as the baggage is to an army, so is riches to
virtue. It cannot be spared, nor left behind, but it
hindereth the march ; yea, and the care of it some¬
times loseth or dlsturbeth the victory. Of great
riches there is no real use, except it be in the dis¬
tribution ; the rest is but conceit. So saith Solomon :
*■ Where much is, there are many to consume it, and
what hath the owner but the sight of it with his
eyes T The personal fruition in any man cannot
reach to feel great riches. There is a custody of
them, or a power of dole and donative of them, or
a fame of them, but no solid use to the owner. Do
you not see what feigned prices are set upon little
stones and rarities } and what works of ostentation
are undertaken because there might seem to be
some use of great riches ?    But then, you will say,