When the enemy comes to make a seizure, they are sure to suffer most
whose circumstances are the richest and fattest. In any case of
persecution, money hangs like a dead weight about a man; and we never
feel gold so heavy as when we endeavour to make off with it. Therefore
wise and politic ministers of state, whenever they see a storm begin to
gather over their heads, always take care to unlade themselves of a good
part of their cargo; and, by this means, seldom find but the blasts of
obloquy, through which they are to make their way, are less deaf and
inexorable than the stormy waves of the ocean. Indeed, poverty is too
frequently the occasion of mens' being treated as if they were guilty of
the greatest crimes and reproaches; but then these sort of criminals
have this advantage, that no one thinks fit to treat them with any thing
worse than contempt: whereas if any pretence can be found to fall upon
the man who is rich, it is a miracle if he escapes with both life and
money. In short, riches are like the baggage of an army: very useful
while we lie in quiet possession of the camp, or are powerful enough to
defy the enemy; but when once we are put to the rout, if we would get
off with our lives or liberties, we must quit our baggage as soon as
possible, and leave it for plunder to our pursuers. Nay, however
strongly intrenched we may think ourselves, as long as money is in the
case, it is good to look about us for fear of a surprise: for, after
all, he that does not, upon occasion, make himself wings with his riches
to fly off with, deserves to be punished, like a Goose as he is, for his
heaviness.