Much coin, much care. - Glenn Conjurske

Much coin, much care.

This, understand, is a secular proverb, a proverb which was at one time in common circulation among the general population of the world. The world itself, formerly if no more, has recognized that “much coin” brings “much care.” And yet did the world ever cease to bend its energies to pursue “much coin”? That were too much to expect. “The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” impel men to pursue “much coin,” even though they may know that they are also pursuing “much care.” But passion can hardly be expected to be ruled by reason.

But how is it that much coin brings much care? Many ways, indeed. With most men much coin is not an end in itself. Men pursue much coin that they may acquire much goods. And the more goods they acquire the more care they incur. Every appliance, every convenience, every machine, every automobile, every piece of furniture adds a little more to our weight of care. Everything is soiled, and must be cleaned. The rich woman who has her dream mansion has ten times the care merely to keep it clean as the poor woman in her cottage. Everything breaks, and must be replaced. Everything wears, and must be repaired. What care we have to maintain one automobile!

But many in our affluent times have more coin than they can begin to spend for goods. They must therefore lay it up in the bank, lay it out in stocks and bonds, or invest it in properties, and every coin adds to their care. He who has much must fear the loss of it. He must fear the breaking of the bank, the failure of the stock market, the devaluation of the dollar, the depression of the economy. He who has little coin has little to fear. No need for him to listen to the stock market reports. No need for him to watch the price of gold, or the foreign markets. He is “as free as a bird,” who has nothing to do but flit and fly and eat and sing. And sing he does, for he knows nothing of care. Men suppose their much coin will relieve their cares, and give them security against the cares of the future. Yet in loading themselves with coin they load themselves with care, while the bird who has nothing is “happy as a lark.”

Paul says, “Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content.” Enough with content is the greatest riches, and surely brings the least care. More than enough adds nothing to our content, and much to our care.

Glenn Conjurske