Natural History Quotes

“The expansion of the world and the growing extent of our resources proved harmful to subsequent generations. Senators and judges began to be chosen by wealth, and wealth was the only embellishment of magistrates and commanders.... In such a climate the only pleasure consisted in possession, whereas the true prizes of life went to rack and ruin and all the arts that were called “liberal” – from liberty the greatest good – became quite the opposite. Obsequiousness began to be the sole means of advancement. Different men worshipped greed in different ways and different contexts, although every man’s prayer had the same goal – namely, the acquisition of material possessions. Everywhere even the most distinguished people preferred to cultivate others’ vices rather than their own good qualities.”
― Pliny the Elder, Natural History: Selection