The Ancient Germans

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  “For their drink, they draw a liquor from barley or other grain; and ferment the same, so as to make it resemble wine. Nay, they who dwell upon the bank of the Rhine deal in wine. Their food is very simple; wild fruit, fresh venison, or coagulated milk. They banish hunger without formality, without curious dressing and curious fare. In extinguishing thirst, they use not equal temperance. If you will but humour their excess in drinking, and supply them with as much as they covet, it will be no less easy to vanquish them by vices than by arms.” —Tacitus (56 - 120 AD)  Germany

Seneca, Moral Letter 17, “On Philosophy and Riches”

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“Nay, your plan should be this: be a philosopher now, whether you have anything or not, – for if you have anything, how do you know that you have not too much already? – but if you have nothing, seek understanding first, before anything else. . . 


. . . I shall borrow from Epicurus: ‘The acquisition of riches has been for many men, not an end, but a change, of troubles.’” (Seneca, Moral Letter 17, “On Philosophy and Riches”)

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