Pagina 204 di 734

The man who is in the state of excess, called one of Vulgar

Profusion, is in excess because he spends improperly, as has been

said. I mean in cases requiring small expenditure he lavishes

much and shows off out of taste; giving his club a feast fit for

a wedding-party, or if he has to furnish a chorus for a comedy,

giving the actors purple to wear in the first scene, as did the

Megarians. And all such things he will do, not with a view to

that which is really honourable, but to display his wealth, and

because he thinks he shall be admired for these things; and he

will spend little where he ought to spend much, and much where he

should spend little.