Capitalism Quote by Fulton J. Sheen
““Just as sex is a God-given instinct for the prolongation of the human race, so the desire for property as a prolongation of one's ego is a natural right sanctioned by natural law. A person is free on the inside because he can call his soul his own; he is free on the outside because he can call property his own. Internal freedom is based upon the fact that "I am"; external freedom is based on the fact that "I have." But just as the excesses of flesh produce lust, for lust is sex in the wrong place, so there can be a deordination of the desire for property until it becomes greed, avarice, and capitalistic aggression.””
About This Quote
Source Sermon: “The Nature of Freedom”, 1955
The quote contrasts internal freedom (self‑identity) with external freedom (property ownership), warning that unchecked desire for possessions can turn into greed and aggression.
In simple terms: Freedom is about self‑identity; property is external freedom, but can become greed.
Key Takeaway
Balance personal identity with responsible ownership.
Themes
freedom
property
greed
ethics
individualism
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- personal development
- political discourse
- economic policy
- ethical debates
Key Concepts
natural law
ego
materialism
moral philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you distinguish healthy ambition from greed?
- What responsibilities come with ownership?
A Different Perspective
Greed can undermine social cohesion and personal well‑being.
![“[Some people] think that sex is a physical capacity which functions independently of one's mind, choice, or code of values. They think that your body creates a desire and makes a choice for you–just about in some such way as if iron ore transformed itself into railroad rails of its own volition…” quote by Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/901/ayn-rand-59_love-is-blind_some-people-think-that-sex-is-a-physical_1043720.jpg)
![“Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a [Soviet socialistic] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants, lands, banks, means of transportation, etc., remain untouched there, and, therefore, capitalism in Germany and Italy…” quote by Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/411/joseph-stalin-1734_capitalism_neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-natio_1430.jpg)
