Avarice Quote by Charles Caleb Colton
“Avarice begets more vices than Priam did children and like Priam survives them all. It starves its keeper to surfeit those who wish him dead, and makes him submit to more mortifications to lose heaven than the martyr undergoes to gain it.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Essays on the Art of Being, by Charles Caleb Colton, 1820
Avarice breeds more vices than even the ancient king Priam’s children, starving its owner while empowering enemies, leading to greater suffering than martyrdom.
In simple terms: Greed creates many sins, harming the greedy and empowering foes.
Key Takeaway
Guard against greed’s corrosive effects.
Themes
greed
vice
morality
human frailty
power dynamics
Mood
cautionary
serious
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal finance
- leadership
- politics
- relationships
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
ethical decay
self‑destruction
social harm
Questions to Reflect On
- What vices stem from unchecked desire?
- How does greed affect community health?
A Different Perspective
Greed can be rationalized as self‑interest.
