Every passion that acts upon mankind has a peculiar mode…
““Every passion that acts upon mankind has a peculiar mode of operation. Many of them are temporary and fluctuating; they admit of cessation and variety. But avarice is a fixed, uniform passion. It neither abates of its vigor nor changes its object; and the reason why it does not is founded in the nature of things, for wealth has not a rival where avarice is a ruling passion. One beauty may excel another, and extinguish from the mind of man the pictured remembrance of a former one: but wealth is the phoenix of avarice, and therefore it cannot seek a new object, because there is not another in the world.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Avarice is a relentless, unchanging desire for wealth that never wanes or shifts focus, unlike other passions that are fleeting and mutable.
In simple terms: Greed never changes; it always wants more wealth.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and curb greed.
Themes
greed
wealth
human nature
passion
stability
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal finance
- political discourse
- ethical debates
- business leadership
Key Concepts
philosophy
economics
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does constant greed affect society?
- Can wealth ever satisfy avarice?
A Different Perspective
Greed can be rationalized or justified, making it hard to confront.