--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Thorough selfishness destroys or…" description: "\"Thorough selfishness destroys or paralyzes enjoyment. A heart made selfish by the contest for wealth is like a citadel stormed in war, utterly shattere..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7e/henry-ward-beecher-175_citadels_thorough-selfishness-destroys-or-paralyz_3200052.png" --- # Thorough selfishness destroys or paralyzes enjoyment. A… ![“Thorough selfishness destroys or paralyzes enjoyment. A heart made selfish by the contest for wealth is like a citadel stormed in war, utterly shattered.” quote by Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7e/henry-ward-beecher-175_citadels_thorough-selfishness-destroys-or-paralyz_3200052.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7e/henry-ward-beecher-175_citadels_thorough-selfishness-destroys-or-paralyz_3200052.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7e/henry-ward-beecher-175_citadels_thorough-selfishness-destroys-or-paralyz_3200052.png) > “Thorough selfishness destroys or paralyzes enjoyment. A heart made selfish by the contest for wealth is like a citadel stormed in war, utterly shattered.” [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Selfish pursuit of wealth erodes joy, leaving one emotionally besieged and broken. **In simple terms:** Wealth obsession destroys happiness. Key Takeaway Avoid letting greed dominate your heart. Themes greed joy wealth emotional health Mood reflective cautionary Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - personal finance decisions - relationship choices - career ambitions - philanthropy Key Concepts selfishness psychology materialism Questions to Reflect On - How does wealth affect your happiness? - Can you find joy without material gain? A Different Perspective Selfishness may sometimes motivate hard work; balance is needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enjoyment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enjoyment/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) ## Related quotes > [The absolute desire of 'having more' encourages the selfishness that destroys communal bonds among the children of God. 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Selfish desires simply agitate the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/compassion-brings-fulfillment-to-the-heart-selfish-desires-simply/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [I hate those TV shows where characters talk about one thing, such as their patient on the operation table (let's say they're a doctor),…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaclyn-moriarty/i-hate-those-tv-shows-where-characters-talk-about-one-thing-such-as/) [Jaclyn Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaclyn-moriarty/) > [Marriage takes your whole heart; selfish people can't pull it off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-hunt/marriage-takes-your-whole-heart-selfish-people-can-t-pull-it-off/) [Helen Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-hunt/) > [When you win, you often lose, that's just a fact. 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Now I take that in stride, but people's loneliness still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janette-rallison/at-first-it-upset-me-to-realize-how-many-people-are-at-heart-selfish/) [Janette Rallison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janette-rallison/) > [Solitude becomes a sort of tangible enemy, the more dangerous, because it dwells within the citadel itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/solitude-becomes-a-sort-of-tangible-enemy-the-more-dangerous-because/) [Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/) > [The cross does not give us a minor shift or two with regard to a few of our ethical and moral and religious values.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-martin/the-cross-does-not-give-us-a-minor-shift-or-two-with-regard-to-a-few/) Albert Martin > [I remember being really interested in the sad parts of Los Angeles, of which there are many, and knowing we weren't up in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-harron/i-remember-being-really-interested-in-the-sad-parts-of-los-angeles-of/) [Mary Harron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-harron/) > [The City of New York is like an enormous citadel, a modern Carcassonne. Walking between the magnificent skyscrapers one feels the presence on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/the-city-of-new-york-is-like-an-enormous-citadel-a-modern-carcassonne/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [The very act of faith by which we receive Christ is an act of the utter renunciation of self, and all its works, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-hopkins/the-very-act-of-faith-by-which-we-receive-christ-is-an-act-of-the/) [Mark Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-hopkins/) > [I fear the vermin that shall undermineSenate and citadel and school and shrine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-markham/i-fear-the-vermin-that-shall-underminesenate-and-citadel-and-school/) [Edwin Markham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-markham/) > [“But young men have not only this frivolous ambition of being thought masters of execution, inciting them on the one hand, but also their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-young-men-have-not-only-this-frivolous-ambition-of-being-thought/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Henry Ward Beecher > [Astronomers have built telescopes which can show myriads of stars unseen before; but when a man looks through a tear in his own eye,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/astronomers-have-built-telescopes-which-can-show-myriads-of-stars/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [A lie always needs a truth for a handle to it. The worst lies are those whose blade is false, but whose handle is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/a-lie-always-needs-a-truth-for-a-handle-to-it-the-worst-lies-are/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Miracles are like candles lit up until the sun rises, and then blown out. Therefore, I am amused when I hear sects and churches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/miracles-are-like-candles-lit-up-until-the-sun-rises-and-then-blown/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Even a liar tells a hundred truths to one lie; he has to, to make the lie good for anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/even-a-liar-tells-a-hundred-truths-to-one-lie-he-has-to-to-make-the/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Laws are not masters but servants, and he rules them who obey them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/laws-are-not-masters-but-servants-and-he-rules-them-who-obey-them/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Our sweetest experiences of affection are meant to be suggestions of that realm which is the home of the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/our-sweetest-experiences-of-affection-are-meant-to-be-suggestions-of/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [In America there is not one single element of civilization that is not made to depend, in the end, upon public opinion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/in-america-there-is-not-one-single-element-of-civilization-that-is/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [The best lessons a man ever learns are from his mistakes. It is not for want of schoolmasters that we are still ignorant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/the-best-lessons-a-man-ever-learns-are-from-his-mistakes-it-is-not/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [I never knew an early-rising, hard-working, prudent man, careful of his earnings, and strictly honest who complained of bad luck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/i-never-knew-an-early-rising-hard-working-prudent-man-careful-of-his/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [THERE are joys which long to be ours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/there-are-joys-which-long-to-be-ours/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [People may talk about the equality of the sexes! They are not equal. The silent smile of a sensible, loving woman will vanquish ten…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/people-may-talk-about-the-equality-of-the-sexes-they-are-not-equal/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Mirthfulness is in the mind and you cannot get it out. It is just as good in its place as conscience or veneration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/mirthfulness-is-in-the-mind-and-you-cannot-get-it-out-it-is-just-as/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Mirth is God's medicine. Everybody ought to bathe in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/mirth-is-god-s-medicine-everybody-ought-to-bathe-in-it/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Some of God's noblest sons, I think, will be selected from those that know how to take wealth, with all its temptations, and maintain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/some-of-god-s-noblest-sons-i-think-will-be-selected-from-those-that/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [You have seen a ship out on the bay, swinging with the tide, and seeming as if it would follow it; and yet it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/you-have-seen-a-ship-out-on-the-bay-swinging-with-the-tide-and/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) [Explore all 990 Henry Ward Beecher quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) ## More Citadels quotes > [“But young men have not only this frivolous ambition of being thought masters of execution, inciting them on the one hand, but also their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-young-men-have-not-only-this-frivolous-ambition-of-being-thought/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I fear the vermin that shall undermineSenate and citadel and school and shrine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-markham/i-fear-the-vermin-that-shall-underminesenate-and-citadel-and-school/) [Edwin Markham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-markham/) > [The very act of faith by which we receive Christ is an act of the utter renunciation of self, and all its works, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-hopkins/the-very-act-of-faith-by-which-we-receive-christ-is-an-act-of-the/) [Mark Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-hopkins/) > [The City of New York is like an enormous citadel, a modern Carcassonne. Walking between the magnificent skyscrapers one feels the presence on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/the-city-of-new-york-is-like-an-enormous-citadel-a-modern-carcassonne/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [I remember being really interested in the sad parts of Los Angeles, of which there are many, and knowing we weren't up in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-harron/i-remember-being-really-interested-in-the-sad-parts-of-los-angeles-of/) [Mary Harron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-harron/) > [The cross does not give us a minor shift or two with regard to a few of our ethical and moral and religious values.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-martin/the-cross-does-not-give-us-a-minor-shift-or-two-with-regard-to-a-few/) Albert Martin > [Solitude becomes a sort of tangible enemy, the more dangerous, because it dwells within the citadel itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/solitude-becomes-a-sort-of-tangible-enemy-the-more-dangerous-because/) [Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/) > [Without a strong educational system — free of government control — democracy is crippled. Knowledge is not only the key to power. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/without-a-strong-educational-system-free-of-government-control/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Midnight! the outpost of advancing day! The frontier town and citadel of night!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/midnight-the-outpost-of-advancing-day-the-frontier-town-and-citadel/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [Do the people of the world not yet realize that by fighting on until the bitter end I am not only performing my sacred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-selassie/do-the-people-of-the-world-not-yet-realize-that-by-fighting-on-until/) [Haile Selassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-selassie/) > [Frequent and violent temptations were a proof that the citadel of the soul had not fallen and that the devil raged to make it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/frequent-and-violent-temptations-were-a-proof-that-the-citadel-of-the/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [... courage is accompanied by patience and firm resolution? God sets courage like a sea around the weakness of our nature, enabling us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niketas-stethatos/courage-is-accompanied-by-patience-and-firm-resolution-god-sets/) Niketas Stethatos > [Leftists would like to pretend that any criticism of their views raises the specter of domestic repression. 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Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) Browse all 45 Citadels quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Thorough selfishness destroys or paralyzes enjoyment. 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