Anger is an expensive luxury in which only men of a certain income can indulge.
—George William Curtis (1824–92) American Essayist, Public Speaker, Editor, Author
For many people, before age 60, it’s business before pleasure. After 60, pleasure before business.
—Marty Nemko (b.1950) American Career Coach
Sell not your liberty to gratify your luxury
—Indian Proverb
Pessimism is a luxury that a Jew can never allow himself.
—Golda Meir (1898–1978) Israeli Head of State
Sofas ’twas half a sin to sit upon,
So costly were they; carpets, every stitch
Of workmanship so rare, they make you wish
You could glide o’er them like a golden fish.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
Unless we are accustomed to them from early youth, splendid chambers and elegant furniture had best be left to people who neither have nor can have any thoughts.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty.
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
One must be poor to know the luxury of giving.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Oh, brethren, it is sickening work to think of your cushioned seats, your chants, your anthems, your choirs, your organs, your gowns, and your bands, and I know not what besides, all made to be instruments of religious luxury, if not of pious dissipation, while ye need far more to be stirred up and incited to holy ardor for the propagation of the truth.as it is in Jesus.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) English Baptist Preacher
A point of view can be a dangerous luxury when substituted for insight and understanding.
—Marshall Mcluhan (1911–80) Canadian Writer, Thinker, Educator
What think you, if he were conveyed to bed, Wrapped in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers, A most delicious banquet by his bed, And brave attendants near him when he wakes, Would not the beggar then forget himself?
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
On the soft bed of luxury, most kingdoms have expired.
—Edward Young (1683–1765) English Poet
Poverty wants some things, Luxury many things, Avarice all things.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Learn the luxury of doing good.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
Such dainties to them, their health it might hurt: It’s like sending them ruffles, when wanting a shirt.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
Every luxury must be paid for, and everything is a luxury, starting with being in the world.
—Cesare Pavese (1908–50) Italian Novelist, Poet, Critic, Translator
Blesses his stars, and thinks it luxury.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
You cannot spend money in luxury without doing good to the poor. Nay, you do more good to them by spending it in luxury—you make them exert industry, whereas by giving it, you keep them idle.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
War has become a luxury that only small nations can afford.
—Hannah Arendt (1906–75) German-American Philosopher, Political Theorist
I know it is more agreeable to walk upon carpets than to lie upon dungeon floors, I know it is pleasant to have all the comforts and luxuries of civilization; but he who cares only for these things is worth no more than a butterfly, contented and thoughtless, upon a morning flower; and who ever thought of rearing a tombstone to a last summer’s butterfly?
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
He repents on thorns that sleeps in beds of roses.
—Francis Quarles (1592–1644) English Religious Poet
O luxury! Thou curst of heaven’s decree.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
Luxury, that alluring pest with fair forehead, which, yielding always to the will of the body, throws a deadening influence over the senses, and weakens the limbs more than the drugs of Circe’s cup.
—Claudian (c.370–c.404 CE) Roman Poet
There is luxury in self-reproach. When we blame ourselves, we feel no one else has a right to blame us.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Uncompromising thought is the luxury of the closeted recluse.
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) American Head of State
Luxury and dissipation, soft and gentle as their approaches are, and silently as they throw their silken chains about the heart, enslave it more than the most active and turbulent vices.
—Hannah More
Luxury ruins republics; poverty, monarchies.
—Montesquieu (1689–1755) French Political Philosopher, Jurist
We read on the foreheads of those who are surrounded by a foolish luxury, that fortune sells what she is thought to give.
—Jean de La Fontaine (1621–95) French Poet, Short Story Writer
A slight daily unconscious luxury is hardly ever wanting to the dwellers in civilization; like the gentle air of a genial climate, it is a perpetual minute enjoyment.
—Walter Bagehot (1826–77) English Economist, Journalist
Luxury is an enticing pleasure, a bastard mirth, which hath honey in her mouth, gall in her heart, and a sting in her tail.
—Francis Quarles (1592–1644) English Religious Poet