--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Even if you must have regard to wealth…" description: "\"Even if you must have regard to wealth, in order to secure leisure, yet it is surely a bad thing that the greatest offices, such as those of kings and ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f68/aristotle-78_abuse_even-if-you-must-have-regard-to-wealth-i_1456819.png" --- # Even if you must have regard to wealth, in order to secure… ![“Even if you must have regard to wealth, in order to secure leisure, yet it is surely a bad thing that the greatest offices, such as those of kings and generals, should be bought. The law which allows this abuse makes wealth of more account than virtue, and the whole state becomes avaricious.” quote by Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f68/aristotle-78_abuse_even-if-you-must-have-regard-to-wealth-i_1456819.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f68/aristotle-78_abuse_even-if-you-must-have-regard-to-wealth-i_1456819.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f68/aristotle-78_abuse_even-if-you-must-have-regard-to-wealth-i_1456819.png) > “Even if you must have regard to wealth, in order to secure leisure, yet it is surely a bad thing that the greatest offices, such as those of kings and generals, should be bought. The law which allows this abuse makes wealth of more account than virtue, and the whole state becomes avaricious.” [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Wealth should not replace virtue; buying power corrupts governance and society. **In simple terms:** Buying power harms virtue and corrupts the state. Key Takeaway Prioritize virtue over wealth. Themes ethics politics justice Mood reflective critical Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - government procurement - public office - corporate lobbying - legal reforms Key Concepts corruption virtue ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can societies limit wealth‑based corruption? - What virtues should guide leaders? A Different Perspective Wealth can still fund public good if regulated. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse/) [Bad things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-things/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Kings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kings/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Leisure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leisure/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Office](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/office/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) ## Related quotes > [We regard wealth as something to be properly used, rather than as something to boast about. As for poverty, no one need be ashamed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pericles/we-regard-wealth-as-something-to-be-properly-used-rather-than-as/) [Pericles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pericles/) > [It is morally obscene to regard wealth as an anonymous, tribal product and to talk about 'redistributing' it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/it-is-morally-obscene-to-regard-wealth-as-an-anonymous-tribal-product/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [Our love of what is beautiful does not lead to extravagance; our love of the things of the mind does not make us soft.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pericles/our-love-of-what-is-beautiful-does-not-lead-to-extravagance-our-love/) [Pericles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pericles/) > [“With regard to equality, this word must not be understood to mean that degress of power and wealth should be exactly the same, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jaques-rousseau/with-regard-to-equality-this-word-must-not-be-understood-to-mean-that/) Jean-Jaques Rousseau > [And this activity alone would seem to be loved for its own sake; for nothing arises from it apart from the contemplating, while from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/and-this-activity-alone-would-seem-to-be-loved-for-its-own-sake-for/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Of actions some aim at what is necessary and useful, and some at what is honorable. 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But, in leisure years I could grow and choose my way. Now I am living on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-plath/sure-i-m-dramatic-and-sloppily-semi-cynical-and-semi-sentimental-but/) [Sylvia Plath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-plath/) > [We simply do not have time as we move from one meeting to the next to have hours to peruse leisure websites of whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crispin-blunt/we-simply-do-not-have-time-as-we-move-from-one-meeting-to-the-next-to/) [Crispin Blunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crispin-blunt/) > [“I don't envy "busy." Busy means having a schedule, not living life. What I really covet is leisure and peace of mind. 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