Earth gets its price for what Earth gives us;
The beggar is taxed for a corner to die in,
The priest hath his fee who comes and shrives us,
We bargain for the graves we lie in;
At the Devil's booth are all things sold
Each ounce of dross costs its ounce of gold.

— James Russell Lowell The Vision of Sir Launfal (1848)

Share this quote

Post on X Facebook Download image Copy quote Copy link

Another quote →