Hoarded wealth inspires no respect in the Pacific, and indeed,

were it discovered, its possession would justify immediate
confiscation
Hoarded wealth inspires no respect in the Pacific, and indeed,
were it discovered, its possession would justify immediate
confiscation. Yet man must raise idols to satisfy his instinct
to worship things above his acquisition, and thus rank is the
more reverenced because respect for property is low. Even
to-day there is something god-like in the presence of the high
chiefs, and none will cross the shadow of the king"s house.
Even in war did a common man kill a chief he himself was killed
by men of his own tribe.