When I first entered on the stage of public life, I came to a
resolution never to engage while in public office in any kind of
enterprise for the improvement of my fortune, nor to wear any other
character than that of a farmer. I have never departed from it in a
single instance. Thus I have thought myself richer in contentment
than I should have been with any increase of fortune.
No man ever had less desire of entering into public offices than
myself. In truth, I wish for neither honors nor offices. I am
happier at home than I can be elsewhere. I have no ambition to
govern men; no passion which would lead me to delight to ride in a
storm. Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a
rottenness begins in his conduct. I love to see honest and honorable
men at the helm, men who will not bend their politics to their
purses, nor pursue measures by which they may profit, and then
profit by their measures. I have’ the consolation of having added
nothing to my private fortune, during my public service, and of
retiring with hands as clean as they are empty.
The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money. It
is neither wealth nor splendor, but tranquility and occupation,
which give happiness. Wealth, title, and office are no
recommendations to my friendship. On the contrary, great good
qualities are requisite to make amends for their having wealth,
title, and office. I have not observed men’s honesty to increase
with their riches. In the great work which has been effected in
America, no individual has a right to take any great share to
himself.
Greediness for wealth, and fantastical expense, have degraded,
and will degrade, the minds of our citizens. These are the peculiar
vices of commerce. The selfish spirit of commerce knows no country,
and feels no passion or principle but that of gain. Would a
missionary appear, who would make frugality the basis of his
religious system, and go through the land, preaching it up as the
only road to salvation, I would join his school, though not
generally disposed to seek my religion out of the dictates of my own
reason, and feelings of my own heart.
I have never been so well pleased, as when I could shift power
from my own, on the shoulders of others; nor have I ever been able
to conceive how any rational being could propose happiness to
himself from the exercise of power over others. I have seen enough
of political honors to know that they are but splendid torments. The
little spice of ambition which I had in my younger days has long
since evaporated, and I set still less store by a posthumous than
present name. Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst, and cold.
Never did a prisoner, released from his chains, feel such relief
as I shall on shaking off the shackles of power. Nature intended me
for the tranquil pursuits of science, by rendering them my supreme
delight. But the enormities of the times in which I have lived, have
forced me to take a part in resisting them, and to commit myself on
the boisterous ocean of political passions. I thank God for the
opportunity of retiring from them without censure, and carrying with
me the most consoling proofs of public approbation.
James Madison, generally known at the father of the Constitution,
was not wealthy at the time of his death, either, and also dedicated
his sunset years to the University of Virginia.