Skip to content

Gold and silver Quote by Al-Ghazali

“A third group of people see the highest felicity in the abundance of property and the extension of ease. After all, property is an instrument to achieve the object of appetite. Through it, the human being attains the ability to achieve wishes. Hence, these people aspire to gather property; to…” quote by Al-Ghazali
Download Open image
““A third group of people see the highest felicity in the abundance of property and the extension of ease. After all, property is an instrument to achieve the object of appetite. Through it, the human being attains the ability to achieve wishes. Hence, these people aspire to gather property; to increase estates, land, valuable horses, cattle, and farmland, and to hoard dinars in the earth. Hence, you will see one of them striving throughout life --- embarking on great dangers in the deserts, on journeys, and in the oceans to gather possessions with which he is niggardly toward himself, to say nothing of others. These are the ones meant by the words of The Prophet: "The slave of the dirham is miserable: the slave of the dinar is miserable." What darkness is greater than that which deceives the human being? Gold and silver are two stones that are not desired in themselves. When wishes are not achieved through them and they are not spent, then they are just like pebbles, and pebbles are just like them.””

Al-Ghazali

About This Quote

The pursuit of wealth as the ultimate source of happiness leads to greed and spiritual emptiness.

In simple terms: Chasing possessions can make life hollow.

Key Takeaway

Seek fulfillment beyond material accumulation.

Themes

materialism spirituality greed contentment values

Mood

cautious reflective

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

  • business ventures
  • investment decisions
  • personal budgeting
  • philanthropy
  • travel for profit

Key Concepts

instrumental value of wealth human desire moral philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

  • What truly brings lasting happiness?
  • How can one balance material needs with spiritual health?
A Different Perspective

Wealth alone cannot guarantee lasting satisfaction or moral integrity.

4.9 out of 5 (5 ratings)

More by Al-Ghazali

Explore all 57 Al-Ghazali quotes

More Gold and silver quotes

Browse all 157 Gold and silver quotes