But their real dream was to buy respectability, to be accepted in traditional social circles.

These are pictures of former governors, mostly robber barons from the last century who bought respectability with their public office.

You come out with more money and an asset money alone cannot buy - respectability.

The merchants grew fat and wealthy, gave their names to various philanthropic projects and bought respectability.

One of their first objectives was to buy respectability.

I am nothing but a New World Creole who bought respectability with power.

And when they could afford it, they bought respectability, just as every cohort of New Money has done before them.

Of course, you can't buy respectability with a house.

You can't buy respectability with a lawsuit against a tabloid photographer.

"Zinnia says you've got a plan to buy respectability."