Affluent Quote by Edwin Percy Whipple
“Do we, mad as we all are after riches, hear often enough from the pulpit the spirit of those words in which Dean Swift, in his epitaph on the affluent and profligate Colonel Chartres, announces the small esteem of wealth in the eyes of God, from the fact of His thus lavishing it upon the meanest and basest of His creatures?”
About This Quote
Source Essay: 19th‑century moral commentary on wealth and divine perspective
Wealth is portrayed as a divine test, highlighting its moral insignificance compared to spiritual values.
In simple terms: Riches are morally trivial.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize spiritual over material wealth.
Themes
wealth
morality
spirituality
divine judgment
humility
Mood
contemplative
critical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal finance decisions
- charitable giving
- career ambition
- social status pursuits
Key Concepts
Theology
ethics
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you equate wealth with worth?
- How does faith shape your view of money?
A Different Perspective
Material success can still tempt despite moral teachings.
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