The domestic life of most classes is relatively shabby, as compared with the éclat of that overt portion of their life that is carried on before the … - Thorstein Veblen

In the rare cases where it occurs, a failure to increase one's visible consumption when the means for an increase are at hand is felt in popular apprehension to call for explanation, and unworthy motives of miserliness are imputed.

The institution of a leisure class has emerged gradually during the transition from primitive savagery to barbarism; or more precisely, during the transition from a peaceable to a consistently warlike habit of life.

Conspicuous consumption of valuable goods is a means of reputability to the gentleman of leisure.