Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 1.djvu/508

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If all who inhabit this world would consider that they may have to live when they can no longer work, there would not be so many who are reduced to beg that in their old age which they have squandqged without any kind of restraint in their youth, when their large and liberal gains, blinding their judgment, have tempted them to spend beyond what was needful, and much more than was right and suitable. Wherefore, since he who has fallen from possessing much to having little or nothing, is often looked upon but coldly, each should endeavour, but in all rectitude, and preserving the medium, to prepare in such sort that he shall not have to beg in his old age. Thus, he who will do as Michelozzo did (who would not imitate his master, Donatello, in this respect, although he did so in his art), will live honourably all the days of his life, and will not be compelled in his last years to go about, miserably seeking the means of existence.