To be clever enough to get all that money, one must be stupid enough to want it.
Max Beerbohm – Zuleika Dobson
Wealth and Folly
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In "Zuleika Dobson" by Max Beerbohm, the titular character is a beautiful and enigmatic woman who captivates the hearts of all the men at Oxford University. Despite their best efforts, Zuleika remains aloof and unattainable, until she announces her plan to commit suicide. The men are distraught and try to save her, but ultimately fail. It is revealed that Zuleika was actually the goddess Venus in disguise, and her suicide was a way to escape the mortal world. Beerbohm's satirical novel explores themes of love, desire, and the futility of chasing after unattainable ideals.