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Often appears with: custom and the manners of a people · moderation, luxury, and excess · crime and punishment · washing before supper · treason definition · trade, markets, and merchants · tiberius senate response · temperance and self-mastery · taxation for enforcement · sparta lacedaemon · royal society history · rank, class, and social order
Usually: argument (4) · exhortation (3) · injustice endured (2) · praise (2) · skepticism (2) · dialogue (1) · narrative (1) · speech or oration (1) · temptation (1) · censure (1)
“And it were well if great persons might only be indulg’d to inrich, and adorn their palaces with tapestry, damask, velvet, and Persian furniture; whilst by some wholesome sumptuary laws, the universal excess of those costly and luxurious moveables, were prohibited meaner men” John Evelyn, Sylva; Or, A Discourse of Forest Trees. Vol. 1 (of 2 · precept
“Learn that luxury enriches a great state, even if it ruins a small.” Voltaire, Voltaire's Philosophical Dictionary · insight
To manage his army and rule, Julian imposes strict temperance modeled on Roman sumptuary ideals and classical authorities, divides his nights between rest, state business, and study, and dedicates himself to philosophy and learning.
gnashing his teeth, because, often as he wished to sally forth, he was prevented from taking such a step by the scantiness of the force which he had with him. 3. At last, after thirty days, the barbarians retired disappointed, murmuring that they had been so vain and weak as to attempt the siege of such a city. It deserves however to be remarked, as a most unworthy circumstance, that when Julian was in great persona…
Smith argues England’s progress could not be stopped by government extravagance, attacks kings and ministers for meddling with private economy, and defends liberty as protecting private frugality.
more extended; and to what height the real wealth and revenue of the country might by this time have been raised, it is not perhaps very easy even to imagine. But though the profusion of government must undoubtedly have retarded the natural progress of England towards wealth and improvement, it has not been able to stop it. The annual produce of its land and labour is undoubtedly much greater at pr…
The Convention debates whether Congress should have power to enact sumptuary laws and how “necessary and proper” should be worded, then shifts to defining treason and rejecting language broadened beyond the English statute.
call forth the aid of the Militia &c. was postponed till report should be made as to the power over the Militia referred yesterday to the Grand Committee of eleven. M^r Mason moved to enable Congress "to enact sumptuary laws." No Government can be maintained unless the manners be made consonant to it. Such a discretionary power may do good and can do no harm. A proper regulation of excises & of trade may do a great …
After Gaul’s rebellion, consuls Caius Sulpicius and Decimus Haterius preside while Senate fears sumptuary correction; Tiberius defends caution in reforming luxury, declining to publicize scandal, and argues that only the prince’s attention can save the state.
subdued the fiercest nations, and enjoyed or slighted so many triumphs, he should now in his old age seek empty honours from a short progress about the suburbs of Rome." Caius Sulpitius and Decimus Haterius were the following Consuls. Their year was exempt from disturbances abroad; but at home some severe blow was apprehended against luxury, which prevailed monstrously in all things that create a profusion of money.…
Continuing his argument, Evelyn cites the Royal Society historian’s examples, then adds an anecdote about the China orange’s first shipment to Portugal and urges restoring timber and curbing luxury.
by considering what numbers of caravans, and how many great cities in Persia, are maintain’d by that manufacture alone, and what mighty customs it yearly brings unto the Sophi’s revenue.’ Thus he: To which we might add; that not only the China-orange mention’d by the Doctor, but the whole race of orange-trees, were strangers in Italy, and unknown at Rome; nor grew they nearer than Persia, whence first they travell’d…
Voltaire contrasts Spartan poverty with luxury, arguing that small states can preserve relative equality, while urging that excessive luxury is harmful yet sometimes politically necessary for reducing inequality.
every sphere; Sparta had a few captains, and in less number even than other towns. But how fine it is that as small a republic as Lacedaemon retains its poverty.[14] One arrives at death as well by lacking everything as by enjoying what can make life pleasant. The Canadian savage subsists, and comes to old age like the English citizen who has an income of fifty thousand guineas. But who will ever compare the land of…
After presenting the play’s feast setting, Austin and Christian greet each other and debate punctuality, preparation, and cleanliness before supper, with Christian arguing for moderate, varied dishes and washing etiquette.
The ARGUMENT. *Our* Erasmus _most elegantly proposes all the Furniture of this Feast; the Discourses and Behaviour of the Entertainer and the Guests*, &c. *Water and a Bason before Dinner. The* Stoics, *the* Epicureans; *the Form of the Grace at Table. It is good Wine that pleases four Senses. Why* Bacchus *is the Poets God; why he is painted a Boy. Mutton very wholsome. That a Man does…