For men are easily spoilt; not every one can bear prosperity.
 Aristotle, Politics (4th century BC). copy citation

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Author Aristotle
Source Politics
Topic prosperity
Date 4th century BC
Language English
Reference
Note Translated by Benjamin Jowett
Weblink http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/politics.html

Context

“It is a principle common to democracy, oligarchy, and every other form of government not to allow the disproportionate increase of any citizen but to give moderate honor for a long time rather than great honor for a short time. For men are easily spoilt; not every one can bear prosperity. But if this rule is not observed, at any rate the honors which are given all at once should be taken away by degrees and not all at once. Especially should the laws provide against any one having too much power, whether derived from friends or money;” source