Man must take his choice between ease and wealth, either may be his but not both.
Sacrifice is also the secret of beauty, culture and character.
Selfishness eats sweetness from the singer's voice as rust eats the edge of a sword.

St.Cecilia refused to lend the divine touch to lips steeped in pleasure.

He who sings for love of gold finds his voice becoming metallic.

In art, also, Hitchcock has said: "When the brush grows voluptuous it falls like an angel from heaven." Fra Angelico refuses an invitation to the Pitti palace, choosing rather his crust and pallet in the cell of the monastery.

The artist gave his mornings to the poor, his evenings to his canvas.