The Goods of the World are Useful Only to Those Who Know How to Use Them

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Image Not Available for The Goods of the World are Useful Only to Those Who Know How to Use Them
The Goods of the World are Useful Only to Those Who Know How to Use Them
Image Not Available for The Goods of the World are Useful Only to Those Who Know How to Use Them

The Goods of the World are Useful Only to Those Who Know How to Use Them

PortfolioMoral Allegories
Date1580
MediumEtching
DimensionsSheet (trimmed within platemark): 69 × 97 mm. (2 11/16 × 3 13/16 in.)
Credit LineGarrett Collection
Object number1946.112.1104
NOT ON VIEW
Last Updated1/11/24
Image Not Available for The other day, I pulled off another smart trick... I had set up a firm with a capital of ten million francs to exploit top boots in cardboard ... I had placed only eight shares worth a petty 1200 francs... I called together my eight shareholders and held forth in something like the following manner: "Ah! Good-day ye strolling gentlemen, how handsome you are, how fine you seem!" I promised them more cheese than bread, I gave them a 50% dividend, I warmed them up a bit and let them simmer... The following day they couldn't get hold of my shares fast enough, I placed all of them and at the next meeting I said: "The last time I did the books I made a mistake. I forgot to take into account the price of the cardboard and its fabrication. You must return the dividend I gave you, I'm going to hold it back... I put down nothing and kept back the r
The other day, I pulled off another smart trick... I had set up a firm with a capital of ten million francs to exploit top boots in cardboard ... I had placed only eight shares worth a petty 1200 francs... I called together my eight shareholders and held forth in something like the following manner: "Ah! Good-day ye strolling gentlemen, how handsome you are, how fine you seem!" I promised them more cheese than bread, I gave them a 50% dividend, I warmed them up a bit and let them simmer... The following day they couldn't get hold of my shares fast enough, I placed all of them and at the next meeting I said: "The last time I did the books I made a mistake. I forgot to take into account the price of the cardboard and its fabrication. You must return the dividend I gave you, I'm going to hold it back... I put down nothing and kept back the r
1838
Image Not Available for (Bertrand): What if they decide to rough us up a bit, those die-hungers?... - (Robert Macaire): What, the riff-raff?... You don't know them, the things shout, howl after the rich like dogs after beggars, but they don't bite... they're harmless, just stupid, that's all... (he cries out in a loud voice)... Heee... Hooo, go to it, Dotards. (The people notice with emotion that he doesn't crush anyone and that he seems a rather good bloke).
(Bertrand): What if they decide to rough us up a bit, those die-hungers?... - (Robert Macaire): What, the riff-raff?... You don't know them, the things shout, howl after the rich like dogs after beggars, but they don't bite... they're harmless, just stupid, that's all... (he cries out in a loud voice)... Heee... Hooo, go to it, Dotards. (The people notice with emotion that he doesn't crush anyone and that he seems a rather good bloke).
1838
Image Not Available for Useful to have a friend who knows her strokes.
Useful to have a friend who knows her strokes.
1847
Image Not Available for Exploiting friendship. My dear Alphonse, I've invited these gentlemen, my friends, to dine at your home. I would like them to taste our champagne, we'll laugh... wait a minute! I've an idea. What if we went to the wood? We could take your barouche and you could lend us some clothes as we only came to pay a simple visite... In the meantime, why don't you give us some cards and some Napoleons to pass the time. Eh? My good Alphonse, dear chap. How about it?
Exploiting friendship. My dear Alphonse, I've invited these gentlemen, my friends, to dine at your home. I would like them to taste our champagne, we'll laugh... wait a minute! I've an idea. What if we went to the wood? We could take your barouche and you could lend us some clothes as we only came to pay a simple visite... In the meantime, why don't you give us some cards and some Napoleons to pass the time. Eh? My good Alphonse, dear chap. How about it?
1837
Image Not Available for Preparing for the baccalaureate. - There are two ways in which you might pass your exams: the first way is to let someone else take your place; the second is to take them yourself. - I would like to take them myself. - Very good!... Do you know Greek? - No. - Latin? - None the more. - Excellent!... Do you know your Math? - Not at all. - What do you know then? - Nothing. - But you've 200 francs? - Of course! - Splendid... You'll be passed next Thursday. - You mean you're going to prepare me in eight days? - What do you think!!!!... It's true that I've taken on the responsibility for your success, but for teaching you... Oh no! Certainly not!!
Preparing for the baccalaureate. - There are two ways in which you might pass your exams: the first way is to let someone else take your place; the second is to take them yourself. - I would like to take them myself. - Very good!... Do you know Greek? - No. - Latin? - None the more. - Excellent!... Do you know your Math? - Not at all.
- What do you know then? - Nothing. - But you've 200 francs? - Of course! - Splendid... You'll be passed next Thursday. - You mean you're going to prepare me in eight days? - What do you think!!!!... It's true that I've taken on the responsibility for your success, but for teaching you... Oh no! Certainly not!!
1837
Image Not Available for Share with the Poor the Goods of This World for Reward in the Other
Share with the Poor the Goods of This World for Reward in the Other
1580
Image Not Available for Go Before Those Who are Thirsty and Bring Them Water
Go Before Those Who are Thirsty and Bring Them Water
published c. 1784-1814
Image Not Available for Remember those who are Imprisoned, as if you were Imprisoned with Them
Remember those who are Imprisoned, as if you were Imprisoned with Them
published c. 1784-1814
Image Not Available for Robert Macaire business agent. - By the devil! It's really admirable of you to break your back to pay off your debts, my good chap, wipe them out at once! - But how? - Good heavens! Bring me your books, I'll put them in order, it's my specialty, we'll settle for a few liabilities, a large number of assets, we'll assemble your creditors, we'll offer five percent to be paid over ten years, you won't give them anything during the ten years, in ten years' time you'll start again, your creditors will be dead, the debts forgotten and nobody will say a word about it.
Robert Macaire business agent. - By the devil! It's really admirable of you to break your back to pay off your debts, my good chap, wipe them out at once! - But how? - Good heavens! Bring me your books, I'll put them in order, it's my specialty, we'll settle for a few liabilities, a large number of assets, we'll assemble your creditors, we'll offer five percent to be paid over ten years, you won't give them anything during the ten years, in ten years' time you'll start again, your creditors will be dead, the debts forgotten and nobody will say a word about it.
1837
Image Not Available for The World Lets Those Die Who Love It and Are Too Much Attached to It
The World Lets Those Die Who Love It and Are Too Much Attached to It
1580
Image Not Available for The World Shipwrecks Those Who Rely on It
The World Shipwrecks Those Who Rely on It
1580
Image Not Available for Robert Macaire bookseller. Ladies and gentlemen, would there be anyone in this pleasant place who'd like to make himself a nice little income, without difficulty and without working?... If there is someone he should stock my primers... You don't have to be a bookseller to be a specialist in this trade, you don't even have to know how to read, quite the contrary!... You only have to pay me a deposit... The bigger the better, as the saying goes.
Robert Macaire bookseller. Ladies and gentlemen, would there be anyone in this pleasant place who'd like to make himself a nice little income, without difficulty and without working?... If there is someone he should stock my primers... You don't have to be a bookseller to be a specialist in this trade, you don't even have to know how to read, quite the contrary!... You only have to pay me a deposit... The bigger the better, as the saying goes.
1836