Attitude Quote by Alice James
“Destitution and excessive luxury develop apparently the same ideals, the same marauding attitude towards mankind, the intensity of struggle for material goods, -- surely showing how perfect is the meeting of extremes.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Art of Living, 1902
Both poverty and excess share the same drive for material gain, revealing a perfect balance of extremes.
In simple terms: Riches and poverty both fuel material desire.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the shared human drive behind extremes.
Themes
materialism
extremes
philosophy
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- consumer behavior
- social policy
- personal finance
Key Concepts
economic theory
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you find balance between need and desire?
- Can moderation replace extremes?
A Different Perspective
Extremes can lead to ethical compromises.
![“Luxury is dangerous to people who have never known it and to whom its temptations are held out too suddenly. [...] Just as the advantage of culture is that it enables you to talk nonsense with distinction, so the habit of luxury allows you to regard its frills and furbelows with a proper…” quote by W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d8/w-somerset-maugham-237_quote_luxury-is-dangerous-to-people-who-have-n_1262444.jpg)
