H. G. Somerville

Curiosities of Impecuniosity H. G. Somerville

Samuel Smiles is of opinion that nothing sharpens a man s wits like poverty. Hence many of the greatest men have originally been poor men. Poverty often purifies and braces a man s morals. To spirited people difficult tasks are usually the most delightful ones. If we may rely upon the testimony of history, men are brave, truthful, and magnanimous, not in proportion to their wealth, but in proportion to the smallness of their means. With this I agree to a certain extent; but I claim for impecuniosity certain charms and characteristics not associated with poverty. To me the former conveys the idea of a temporary shortness of funds; the latter of a chronic state of want. I should also have preferred to say, Nothing sharpens a man s wits like impecuniosity, for to many minds poverty, pur et simple, has been simply crushing. A volume might be filled with the different opinions that have been expressed on this subject, and as there is abundant proof that many who have become great in science, literature, and art, have found insufficient means a stimulus to exertion, it must be conceded that poverty is a splendid thing for those who are equal to fighting against it.