But the instinct of hoarding, like all other instincts…
“But the instinct of hoarding, like all other instincts, tends to become hypertrophied and perverted; and with the institution of private property comes another institution-that of plunder and brigandage. In private life, no motive of action is at present so powerful and so persistent as acquisitiveness, which unlike most other desires, knows no satiety. The average man is rich enough when he has a little more than he has got, and not till then.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Private property amplifies the instinct to hoard, turning it into greed and societal plunder.
In simple terms: Owning things fuels endless desire and exploitation.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and curb excessive acquisitiveness.
Themes
property
greed
social order
human instincts
economics
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- policy making
- personal finance
- community building
Key Concepts
acquisitiveness
social justice
ethical economics
Questions to Reflect On
- What limits can you set on personal acquisition?
- How does society balance ownership and fairness?
A Different Perspective
Unchecked greed can destabilize societies.