RICH MAN
George Wither’s book 3, emblem 33
Last edit 8/30/2018
The man standing at the center of this emblem represents a rich man. He holds a bag of coins in his right hand, representing part of his money was gained --rightfully, and the bag of coins in is his left represents part of his money was gained – wrongfully. The sword on his left side represent his wealth gives him superior economic and political power. The large chest behind him filled with piles of gold coins represent his large income from multiple different sources. The coins in the separate rectangular box, represents the taxation of his income and profits are not fair. The lid on top represents lightly taxed. The rich man gestures with right foot, understand the way he makes his money and pays his taxes is legal. The floor pattern of square blocks represents the laws of this government. The side hand railing represents: grasp, these laws were made by law-makers for political donation [or bribes]. The large square tower behind with two tablet like windows in front represents there are two laws: man’s and God’s. The single arch on one side facing the treasure chest represents these tax laws are made by men. The small, medium, and large tree in front of the other side of the tower, represents the knowledge that the tax on income of the higher [or divine] law is progressive.
In the background, a rich man holds a sword about to strike a man on his knees representing a poor [or powerless] man. The round container spilling the contents on the ground, represents he is being robbed of his valuables. The large trees behind the rich man, represents the knowledge of the ways the rich man robs the poor man: low wages, high prices, misrepresentation, high income, low taxes, cutting social programs, nepotism, etc. The row of stones behind the poor man represents the laws of government fail to protect him from these crimes.
The Latin cross in front represents the truth of the rich man.
The small tree by its side represents the knowledge that poor man has little political power to make the laws of government [or taxes].
The scaffold on top of the hill represents the higher law. The square top, represents hanging these thieves of the people and government who would tax the income of the poor, middle class, and rich at the same rate is a fair law. The flat income tax is not a fair law. The slanted ladder to the top of the scaffold represents the graduating income tax is fair tax [or law]. The two post next to it with signs at the top represents the graduating income tax is a principle of the Higher Spirit and Son. On the left side, there is a man hanging from a single gibbet and behind him a tower of bricks, representing politicians who make these unfair laws of government.
The twin trees on top a hill and the tall city buildings in the background represent the knowledge, that a few people are very rich and most people poor, because, the tax code is made by these two men: the rich and rich [or bribed] politicians. On the right side, the windmill set on mountain peak represents the contents of the picture was produced by the human and divine spirit.
The emblem bears the Latin epigram:
FVRES PRIVATI IN NERVO PVBLICI IN AVRO
[thieves of public and private stocks of gold]