These, and many more that might be adduced, are instances of the obscure though not absolutely impervious medium through which the present age views ancient history; and at the head of these illusions, is the great illusion of all, on wealth and poverty. Wealth was to be discreditable, unmanly, vituperate, because it was found greatly to indispose men to be active thieves. […] This is the sorry explanation, of the ancient theory of heroic poverty.