ABSTRACT
Every civilization demands the provision of a certain amount of capital, or, as the word perhaps implies, a quota of possessions per head. The existing type of what has been termed “ Western” civilization requires a great deal of these things, and its advance is based on their increase. The ideal expressed in the words, “ rich not in the greatness of my wealth but in the fewness of my wants,” is far removed from us. To us Diogenes would have
appealed in vain. W e may regret it, but it is so. T he poor may scoff at luxury, but they are more self-indulgent than the rich} and the rich may sigh for simplicity, but even when they really wish for it, find it unattainable, and, if it were attainable, would probably not like it.
