Noctes Atticae

That it is inevitable that one who has much should need much, with a brief and graceful aphorism of the philosopher Favorinus on that subject.

THAT is certainly true which wise men have said as the result of observation and experience, that he who has much is in need of much, and that great want arises from great abundance and not from great lack; for many things are wanted to maintain the many things that you have. Whoever then, having much, desires to provide and take precaution that nothing may fail or be lacking, needs to lose, not gain, and must have less in order to want less.

I recall that Favorinus once, amid loud and general applause, rounded off this thought, putting it into the fewest possible words: [*](Fr. 81, Marres. We may compare Hor. Epist. i. 6. 40 ff.)

It is not possible for one who wants fifteen thousand cloaks not to want more things; [*](ad ea quae habet tuenda; see § 1.) for if I want more than I possess, by taking away from what I have I shall be contented with what remains.