It is only from their rarity and outlandishness that all these things possess their grace; in short, within their own native limits they are not held of so high worth.  Abundance is always contumelious toward itself.  There are some barbarians with whom, because gold is indigenous and plentiful, it is customary to keep (the criminals) in their convict establishments chained with gold, and to lade the wicked with riches—the more guilty, the more wealthy.  At last there has really been found a way to prevent even gold from being loved!  We have also seen at Rome the nobility of gems blushing in the presence of our matrons at the contemptuous usage of the Parthians and Medes, and the rest of their own fellow-countrymen, only that (their gems) are not generally worn with a view to ostentation.  Emeralds¹²¹

121 Smaragdi.  Comp. Rev. iv. 3.

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