Richard Steele – On the Shame and Fear of Poverty

 

Richard Steele’s “On the Shame and Fear of Poverty” is Essay No. 114 of The Spectator, published on 11 July 1711. The essay deals with people’s attitudes towards poverty, wealth, social status, and unnecessary spending. Steele particularly examines two attitudes: the shame of being poor and the fear of becoming poor.

Economy and False Appearance

Steele begins by explaining the importance of economy, or careful management of money. He compares it with good manners. Just as people sometimes pretend to be more polite than they really are, they also pretend to be richer than they actually are. Such false appearances may impress others, but they ultimately make a person unhappy.

Steele describes a gentleman who has a considerable fortune but is deeply in debt. He refuses to sell part of his property because he does not want people to think that he has become less wealthy. As a result, he suffers constant worry and financial difficulty simply to protect his reputation. Steele calls his condition:

“a covered indigence, a magnificent poverty.”

This means that the man looks rich from the outside but is actually suffering financially.

Laertes and the Shame of Poverty

Steele then introduces Laertes, who represents the shame of poverty. Laertes has an income of £1,500 a year, but his estate is heavily mortgaged. He could reduce his debt by selling part of his property, but he refuses because he does not want to become equal to Irus, who has a smaller income.

Laertes spends unnecessarily on an expensive lifestyle, entertainment and luxury. His desire to appear wealthy actually pushes him closer to poverty.

Steele says:

“Shame of poverty makes Laertes go every day a step nearer to it.”

Thus, Laertes is financially troubled not simply because of his income, but because he wants to maintain the appearance of wealth.

Irus and the Fear of Poverty

Irus represents the fear of poverty. He has less income than Laertes, but he carefully controls his expenses. He lives simply, avoids unnecessary servants and expenses, and even works with his labourers.

Unlike Laertes, Irus is not concerned with appearing rich. He is concerned with protecting himself from poverty.

Steele explains the difference:

“Fear of poverty stirs up Irus to make every day some further progress from it.”

So, Laertes spends to protect his social image, while Irus saves to protect his financial security.

Two Different Extremes

Steele also shows that both attitudes can become harmful. The fear of poverty may lead to greed, exploitation and oppression, while the shame of poverty may lead to vanity, luxury and wastefulness.

Therefore, Steele argues for a balanced attitude towards money rather than either extreme.

Steele’s Idea of a Balanced Life

Steele believes that people should live within their means. They should have enough to maintain a respectable life but should not become obsessed with unnecessary luxury.

He suggests that every person should decide how much is enough. If he earns more than he needs, he can use the extra money for better purposes instead of spending it only on personal pleasure.

The essay therefore values moderation, self-control, financial responsibility and contentment.

Crux of the Essay

The crux of the essay is that people should not allow wealth or poverty to control their lives. Laertes is ashamed of appearing poor and therefore wastes his money trying to maintain a wealthy image, while Irus fears poverty and therefore lives carefully. Steele shows that both excessive pride and excessive fear can create problems. He ultimately supports a simple, moderate and sensible life, in which a person lives according to his actual means rather than trying to impress society.

In short: Do not spend to look rich; do not live in constant fear of becoming poor—learn to live reasonably and be content with what is enough.

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