The lust of avarice as so totally seized upon mankind that their wealth seems rather to possess them than they possess their wealth.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
The possession of wealth leads almost inevitably to its abuse. It is the chief, if not the only, cause of evils which desolate this world below. The thirst for gold is responsible for the most regrettable lapses into sin.
Excess of wealth is cause of covetousness.
Riches do not delight us so much with their possession, as torment us with their loss.
Wealth is like sea-water; the more we drink, the thirstier we become; and the same is true of fame.
Lust is to the other passions what the nervous fluid is to life; it supports them all, lends strength to them all ambition, cruelty, avarice, revenge, are all founded on lust.
He does not possess wealth; it possesses him.
All wealth consists of desirable things; that is, things which satisfy human wants directly or indirectly: but not all desirable things are reckoned as wealth.
The love of power, like the love of money, increases with the possession of it; and we know in what ruin these baneful passions have involved human societies in all ages when they have been let loose and suffered to rage uncontrolled - There is no restraint like the pervading eye of the virtuous citizens.
What is wealth? A dream of fools.
The glory that goes with wealth is fleeting and fragile; virtue is a possession glorious and eternal.