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May 4th

WHAT’S TRULY IMPRESSIVE

“How much better is it to be known for doing well by many than

for living extravagantly? How much more worthy than spending

on sticks and stones is it to spend on people?”

—MUSONIUS RUFUS, LECTURES, 19.91.26–28

hink of all you know about the lifestyles of the rich and the famous.
That so-and-so bought a home for so many millions. That so-and-so
travels with their own barber. That so-and-so owns a pet tiger or an
elephant.
The exact same gossip and notoriety was popular in Roman times.
Certain Romans were known for the thousands of sesterces they spent on
their koi ponds. Others were notorious for orgiastic parties and sumptuous
feasts. The works of Roman poets such as Juvenal and Martial abound with
tidbits about these types.
The conspicuously wealthy earn and ultimately get what they want out
of spending: their reputation. But what an empty one! Is it really that
impressive to spend, spend, spend? Given the funds, who wouldn’t be able
to do that?
Marcus Aurelius courageously sold off some of the imperial furnishings
to pay down war debts. More recently, José Mujica, the former president of
Uruguay, stood out for giving 90 percent of his presidential salary to charity
and driving a twenty-five-year-old car. Who can do stuff like that? Not
everyone. So who’s the more impressive?