ONLY the very young or the very foolish would wish to ape the luxury of a wholly different class of society from their own. Yet Jesus pricks the bubble of all such comparison by taking as example the extreme of magnificence -- Solomon enthroned in regal array. For such comparisons differ only in degree: every step up leads only to emulation of the rank above. We attain with much struggle a level of comfort or standard of appearance which for the moment seems to fulfil our ambition. Ten years later the bloom has rubbed off our prize; that which gave us a glowing satisfaction is viewed almost with distaste: we must go on to get something more. Jesus saw that there was no limit to human vanity, and no final standard but the pinnacle of splendour.

L. G. SARGENT, The Teaching of the Master, page 220