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
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
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
Avarice, the spur of industry.
—David Hume (1711–76) Scottish Philosopher, Historian
The point is that you can’t be too greedy.
—Donald Trump (b.1946) American Businessperson, Head of State
To hazard much to get much has more of avarice than wisdom.
—William Penn (1644–1718) American Entrepreneur, Political leader, Philosopher
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
Men hate the individual whom they call avaricious only because nothing can be gained from him.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
For at least another hundred years we must pretend to ourselves and to every one that fair is foul and foul is fair; for foul is useful and fair is not. Avarice and usury and precaution must be our gods for a little longer still.
—John Maynard Keynes (1883–1946) English Economist
It is not the want, but rather abundance that creates avarice.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
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
He who distinguishes the true savor of his food can never be a glutton; he who does not cannot be otherwise.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
To greed, all nature is insufficient.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
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.
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
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
What kind of society isn’t structured on greed? 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.
—Milton Friedman (1912–2006) American Economist
Nothing retains less of desire in art, in science, than this will to industry, booty, possession.
—Andre Breton (1896–1966) French Poet, Essayist, Critic
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
Satiety is a mongrel that barks at the heels of plenty.
—Minna Antrim (1861–1950) American Writer, Epigrammist
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 lusts and greeds of the body scandalize the Soul; but it has to come to heel.
—Logan Pearsall Smith (1865–1946) American-British Essayist, Bibliophile
Curst greed of gold, what crimes thy tyrant power has caused.
—Virgil (70–19 BCE) Roman Poet
Be glad that you’re greedy; the national economy would collapse if you weren’t.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, 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 Civil Regrets Advocate, Humanitarian, Lawyer
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
Greed, like the love of comfort, is a kind of fear.
—Cyril Connolly (1903–74) British Literary Critic, Writer
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
Avarice has ruined more souls than extravagance.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
For greed, all nature is too little.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
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