The wit and wisdom of Denis Diderot

*Maybe they called it 'the Enlightenment' for a reason.

"In any country where talent and virtue produce no advancement, money will be the national god. Its inhabitants will either have to possess money, or make others believe that they do. Wealth will be the highest virtue, poverty the greatest vice. Those who have money will display it in every imaginable way. If their ostentation does not exceed their fortune, all will be well. But if their ostentation does exceed their fortune they will...