Avarice is generally the last passion of those lives of which the first part has been squandered in pleasure, and the second devoted to ambition. He that sinks under the fatigue of getting wealth, lulls his age with the milder business of saving it.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
You must lay aside your greed; have no unworthy motive in your desire to become rich and powerful. It is legitimate and right to desire riches, if you want them for the sake of your soul, but not if you desire them for the lists of the flesh.
—Wallace Wattles (1860–1911) American New Thought Author
It’s time for greatness—not for greed. It’s a time for idealism—not ideology. It is a time not just for compassionate words, but compassionate action.
—Marian Wright Edelman (b.1939) American Activist, Advocate
I have news for the forces of greed and the defenders of the status quo; your time has come and gone. It’s time for change in America.
—Bill Clinton (b.1946) American Head of State, Lawyer, Public Speaker
It is greed to do all the talking but not to want to listen at all.
—Democritus (c.460–c.370 BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
Avarice is the vice of declining years.
—George Bancroft (1800–91) American Historian, Politician
Worldly desires are like sunbeams in a dark room. They seem solid until you try to grasp one.
—Nachman of Breslov (1772–1810) Ukrainian Jewish Rabbi
The average man does not know what to do with this life, yet wants another one which will last forever.
—Anatole France (1844–1924) French Novelist
You show me a capitalist, and I’ll show you a bloodsucker.
—Malcolm X (1925–65) American Civil Rights Leader
The greed of gain has no time or limit to its capaciousness. It’s one object is to produce and consume. It has pity neither for beautiful nature nor for living human beings. It is ruthlessly ready without a moment’s hesitation to crush beauty and life out of them, molding them into money.
—Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) Bengali Poet, Polymath
For greed, all nature is too little.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
To hazard much to get much has more of avarice than wisdom.
—William Penn (1644–1718) American Entrepreneur, Philosopher, Political Leader
The point is that you can’t be too greedy.
—Donald Trump (b.1946) American Businessperson, Head of State
Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction.
—Erich Fromm (1900–80) German-American Psychoanalyst, Social Philosopher
Experience demands that man is the only animal which devours his own kind, for I can apply no milder term to the general prey of the rich on the poor.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
Avarice, the spur of industry.
—David Hume (1711–76) Scottish Philosopher, Historian
Nothing retains less of desire in art, in science, than this will to industry, booty, possession.
—Andre Breton (1896–1966) French Poet, Essayist, Critic
Curst greed of gold, what crimes thy tyrant power has caused.
—Virgil (70–19 BCE) Roman Poet
Satiety is a mongrel that barks at the heels of plenty.
—Minna Antrim (1861–1950) American Writer, Epigrammist
Greed, like the love of comfort, is a kind of fear.
—Cyril Connolly (1903–74) British Literary Critic, Writer
Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself are much condemned to have an itching palm.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Be glad that you’re greedy; the national economy would collapse if you weren’t.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
Greed is a fat demon with a small mouth and whatever you feed it is never enough.
—Janwillem van de Wetering (1931–2008) Dutch Crime Novelist, Author
Oh, the jealousy, the greed is the unraveling. It’s the unraveling and it undoes all the joy that could be.
—Joni Mitchell (b.1943) Canadian Singer, Songwriter
Wealth is like sea-water; the more we drink, the thirstier we become; and the same is true of fame.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
We’re all born brave, trusting, and greedy, and most of us remain greedy.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
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.
—Niccolo Machiavelli (1469–1527) Florentine Political Philosopher
Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not every man’s greed.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
He who is greedy is always in want.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
Avarice, in old age, is foolish; for what can be more absurd than to increase our provisions for the road the nearer we approach to our journey’s end?
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
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