Dreading prosperity by Emerson

Everyone seems to be starting "projects" that involve blogging (think "Happiness Project" and "No Impact Man").
I have written a book called Less is More and I own another book called Less is More: The Art of Voluntary Poverty" which has quotations from throughout history. My project is to open the book at random everyday and take the first quotation that catches my eye and respond to it in this blog.
So here's today;s"
"If you are wise, you will dread a prosperity which only loads you with more."
Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882.

Certainly the Transcendentalists recognized that Simplicity was central to a life of well being, with Thoreau it's main advocate. But Emerson was their true leader, so his words carry weight. His comment isn't about the environment, as most of ours are. He simply recognizes that more wealth does not bring more happiness. It seems that the more money you have, the more you have to spend your time thinking about money, managing your money, spending your money, worrying about your money. How much fun is this! It takes time away from the more important things, the real things that make you happy, like social ties, or pursuing your passion, or making a difference. We all need a certain amount of money, but if we're lucky, we'll "dread a prosperity which only loads you with more."