William Penn. (1644–1718). Fruits of Solitude.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
Of State
198. I love Service, but not State; One is Useful, the other is Superfluous.
199. The Trouble of this, as well as Charge, Is Real; but the Advantage only Imaginary.
200. Besides, it helps to set us up above our selves, and Augments our Temptation to Disorder.
201. The Least Thing out of Joint, or omitted, make us uneasy: and we are ready to think our selves ill served, about that which is of no real Service at all: Or so much better than other Men, as we have the Means of greater State.
202. But this is all for want of Wisdom, which carries the truest and most forceable State along with it.
203. He that makes not himself Cheap by indiscreet Conversation, puts Value enough upon himself every where.
204. The other is rather Pageantry than State.