Men hate the individual whom they call avaricious only because nothing can be gained from him.
Nothing retains less of desire in art, in science, than this will to industry, booty, possession.
Satiety is a mongrel that barks at the heels of plenty.
So for a good old-gentlemanly vice, I think I must take up with avarice.
The avarice person is ever in want; let your desired aim have a fixed limit.
The average man does not know what to do with this life, yet wants another one which will last forever.
The point is that you can't be too greedy.
The problem of social organization is how to set up an arrangement under which greed will do the least harm, capitalism is that kind of a system.
The wish to acquire more is admittedly a very natural and common thing; and when men succeed in this they are always praised rather than condemned. But when they lack the ability to do so and yet want to acquire more at all costs, they deserve condemnation for their mistakes.
To hazard much to get much has more of avarice than wisdom.
Wars and revolutions and battles are due simply and solely to the body and its desires. All wars are undertaken for the acquisition of wealth; and the reason why we have to acquire wealth is the body, because we are slaves in its service.
Wealth is like sea-water; the more we drink, the thirstier we become; and the same is true of fame.
You show me a capitalist, and I'll show you a bloodsucker.
| Quotations 21 to 33 of 33 | First | < Previous |