Avarice Quote by Claude Adrien Helvetius
“When a miser contents himself with giving nothing, and saving what he has got, and is in other respects guilty of no injustice, he is, perhaps, of all bad men the least injurious to society; the evil he does is properly nothing more than the omission of the good he might do. If, of all the vices, avarice is the most generally detested, it is the effect of an avidity common to all men; it is because men hate those from whom they can expect nothing. The greedy misers rail at sordid misers.”
About This Quote
Source Philosophical Treatise: De l’Âme by Claude Adrien Helvetius, 1746
A miser who only saves and does no harm still harms society by omitting good deeds; greed reflects a universal human avarice and resentment toward those who give nothing.
In simple terms: Miserly inaction harms society by lacking good deeds.
Key Takeaway
Actively contribute good, not just avoid harm.
Themes
ethics
greed
social responsibility
human nature
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- community service
- charitable giving
- policy making
- education programs
Key Concepts
philosophy
morality
altruism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you turn saving into giving?
- What societal changes reduce greed?
A Different Perspective
Changing deep‑rooted avarice is difficult and may conflict with self‑interest.
