I affirm that gain is precisely that which comes oftener…
“I affirm that gain is precisely that which comes oftener to the bad man than to the good; for illegitimate gains never come to the good at all, because they reject them. And lawful gains rarely come to the good, because, since much anxious care is needful thereto, and the anxious care of the good man is directed to weightier matters, rarely does the good man give sufficient attention thereto. Wherefore it is clear that in every way the advent of these riches is iniquitous.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Ill-gotten wealth is more common among the immoral, while the virtuous rarely gain riches because they focus on higher virtues
In simple terms: Bad people often get more money, good people focus elsewhere
Key Takeaway
Prioritize virtue over material gain
Themes
morality
wealth
justice
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- personal finance
- social policy
- charitable work
Key Concepts
ethical philosophy
economic disparity
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance ethical living with financial ambition?
- Can society reward virtue without material incentives?
A Different Perspective
Goodness may limit material success