Meaning & Analysis
Even when burdened with valuable gold, the ass continues to eat coarse thistles, unchanged by its wealth or elevated burden.
Insights
Misery Amid Wealth
This proverb critiques the miserly individual who, despite possessing great wealth, continues to live in self-denial and deprivation, failing to enjoy the benefits of their riches.
Inherent Nature Unchanged by Riches
Illustrates that true character remains constant even when circumstances change. The ass—symbol of base nature—remains unchanged by the gold it carries, clinging to lowly habits.
Folly of Greed
Suggests that obsessive accumulation of wealth without allowing oneself its use is foolish. The miser suffers while bearing the burden of prosperity.
Classical and Literary Resonance
Echoed by Shakespeare in *Julius Caesar*, the image of the ass bearing gold but feeding on weeds became a common metaphor in Renaissance literature for those who bear wealth without enjoying or deserving it.
Symbol of the Miser
The ‘Arcadian ass’ became an emblem of avarice—evoking the figure of the wretched miser who hoards treasure while living in self-imposed austerity. The gold symbolizes potential, squandered by small-minded self-denial.
Psychological Impoverishment
The proverb touches on a deeper emotional truth: that material possession alone does not confer well-being. A mind conditioned to scarcity may persist in poverty thinking despite external abundance.
Rhetorical Devices
Irony
The striking image of an ass surrounded by wealth yet choosing to eat thistles delivers sharp irony, emphasizing the irrationality of self-denial amidst plenty.
Symbolism
Gold represents wealth and opportunity; the thistles symbolize deprivation. The ass unites these opposites to highlight the absurd tension between possession and experience.
Allegory
The entire image serves as an allegory for human folly, particularly the futility of hoarding or failing to enjoy one’s own success.
Transcription
Quotations
*Applicable to a rich, and most wretched peniefather; one that all the yeare long bestowes not a bit of good meat on himselfe.
Vlisses hath . . An Asse fit for service and good for burthens, to carry gold, and to feede on thistles.
Or the Asse whose back is cracked with curious viands, yet feeds on thistles.
Or wilt thou . . being keeper of the cash, Like an ass that carries dainties feed on thistles?
The Arcadian Asse, who, though laden with gold, browseth on thistles.
Like the Arcadian Asse, who eats thistles though laden with gold; meant of the covetous miser.
To such the proverb may sometimes be applied . . the Asse oftentimes carries gold on his back, yet feeds on thistles.
An asse, though loaded with gold, eats but nettles and thistles.
The Arcadian ass loaded with gold, feeds on straw.
Shakespeare Citations
He shall but bear them [honors] as the ass bears gold, To groan and sweat under the business . . Then take we down his load, and turn him off (Like to the empty ass) to shake his ears And graze in commons.
Cross References
Annotations
- Note 46, p. 182: The embleme of a Wretch, or a Miser, who cannot afford himself a meals meat.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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