See Euripides, 'Andromache,' Il.

418-420.
SONG VII.
PLEASURE'S STING.
This is the way of Pleasure: She stings them that despoil her; And, like the winged toiler Who's lost her honeyed treasure, She flies, but leaves her smart Deep-rankling in the heart.
VIII.
'It is beyond doubt, then, that these paths do not lead to happiness; they cannot guide anyone to the promised goal.

Now, I will very briefly show what serious evils are involved in following them.

Just consider.
Is it thy endeavour to heap up money?
Why, thou must wrest it from its present possessor! Art thou minded to put on the splendour of official dignity?
Thou must beg from those who have the giving of it; thou who covetest to outvie others in honour must lower thyself to the humble posture of petition.

Dost thou long for power?
Thou must face perils, for thou wilt be at the mercy of thy subjects' plots.