Of Refinement in the Arts (1777) [ Concepts ]
… ESSAY II. Luxury is a word of an uncertain signification, and may be taken in a good as well as in a bad sense. In general, it … innocent, and have in every age been acknowledged such by almost all moralists. To be entirely occupied with the luxury of the table, for instance, without any relish for the pleasures of ambition, study, or conversation, is a mark of … pursuits, and money sufficient for all generous purposes, he is free from every shadow of blame or reproach. Since luxury may be considered either as innocent or blameable, one may be surprized at those preposterous opinions, which have …
Commerce | Refinement | Luxury | Charity | Corruption | Democracy | Disorder | Happiness
Anthology