Avarice, the spur of industry, is so obstinate a passion…
“Avarice, the spur of industry, is so obstinate a passion, and works its way through so many real dangers and difficulties, that it is not likely to be scared by an imaginary danger, which is so small, that it scarcely admits of calculation. Commerce, therefore, in my opinion, is apt to decay in absolute governments, not because it is there less secure, but because it is less honourable.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Greed drives industry but can become entrenched, making commerce vulnerable under absolute regimes not because of insecurity but due to loss of honor.
In simple terms: Greed fuels industry yet can corrupt commerce under authoritarian rule.
Key Takeaway
Guard honor in economic systems.
Themes
economics
political theory
ethics
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
economic
When to use this quote
- capitalist markets
- authoritarian states
- regulatory policy
- business ethics
Key Concepts
greed
honor
government structure
Questions to Reflect On
- Can honor be restored in modern capitalism?
- What safeguards protect commerce from moral decline?
A Different Perspective
Greed may also inspire innovation, not just decay.