There, wealth is a god, and the greed of gain a virtue…
““There, wealth is a god, and the greed of gain a virtue. There, genius starves, and heroism dies unrewarded. There, faith is martyred, and unbelief elected sovereign monarch of the people. There, the sublime, unreachable mysteries of the Universe are haggled over by poor finite minds who cannot call their lives their own. There, nation wars against nation, creed against creed, soul against soul. Alas, fated planet! how soon shalt thou be extinct, and thy place shall know thee no more!””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A lament about humanity’s misplaced values, where wealth, greed, and power dominate while true virtue and wonder are ignored, leading to conflict and potential self‑destruction.
In simple terms: People worship money and power, ignoring deeper meaning, causing war and ruin.
Key Takeaway
Re‑evaluate what you truly value.
Themes
values
conflict
human nature
existential
societal
Mood
somber
reflective
urgent
Type
cautionary
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- political activism
- education reform
- peacebuilding
- environmental stewardship
Key Concepts
materialism
greed
heroism
faith
nihilism
Questions to Reflect On
- What values do you prioritize?
- How can societies honor both material needs and spiritual wonder?
A Different Perspective
It overlooks the capacity for positive change through collective action.