Greed is not a defect in the gold that is desired but in…
““Greed is not a defect in the gold that is desired but in the man who loves it perversely by falling from justice which he ought to esteem as incomparably superior to gold; nor is lust a defect in bodies which are beautiful and pleasing: it is a sin in the soul of the one who loves corporal pleasures perversely, that is, by abandoning that temperance which joins us in spiritual and unblemishable union with realities far more beautiful and pleasing; nor is boastfulness a blemish in words of praise: it is a failing in the soul of one who is so perversely in love with other peoples' applause that he despises the voice of his own conscience; nor is pride a vice in the one who delegates power, still less a flaw in the power itself: it is a passion in the soul of the one who loves his own power so perversely as to condemn the authority of one who is still more powerful.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human vices arise not from external objects but from the distorted love and attachment toward them, reflecting a deeper spiritual misalignment.
In simple terms: Vices stem from misplaced love, not the things themselves.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate temperance and inner alignment.
Themes
virtue
spirituality
self‑knowledge
humility
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- ethical decision‑making
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
theology
ethics
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What attachments cloud your judgment?
- How can you balance desire with virtue?
A Different Perspective
Excessive self‑control can become rigidity, stifling growth.