--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Though we take from a covetous man all…" description: "\"Though we take from a covetous man all his treasure, he has yet one jewel left; you cannot bereave him of his covetousness.\" — John Milton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b4/john-milton-191_covetousness_though-we-take-from-a-covetous-man-all-h_1724853.jpg" --- # Though we take from a covetous man all his treasure, he… ![“Though we take from a covetous man all his treasure, he has yet one jewel left; you cannot bereave him of his covetousness.” quote by John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b4/john-milton-191_covetousness_though-we-take-from-a-covetous-man-all-h_1724853.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b4/john-milton-191_covetousness_though-we-take-from-a-covetous-man-all-h_1724853.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b4/john-milton-191_covetousness_though-we-take-from-a-covetous-man-all-h_1724853.jpg) > “Though we take from a covetous man all his treasure, he has yet one jewel left; you cannot bereave him of his covetousness.” [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Covetousness cannot be taken away; material loss does not affect greed. **In simple terms:** Greed persists despite loss. Key Takeaway Recognize that taking wealth doesn't change greed. Themes greed materialism human nature Mood reflective serious Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - legal disputes - inheritance - business negotiations - personal relationships Key Concepts philosophy psychology ethics Questions to Reflect On - Can you change someone's greed by altering their possessions? - What non‑material ways reduce greed? A Different Perspective Greed may be mitigated by moral education, not just material loss. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Covetous Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/covetous-man-1107462/) [Covetousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/covetousness/) [Jealousy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jealousy/) [Left](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/left/) [Man Treasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-treasure-859842/) [Treasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/treasure/) [Treasure Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/treasure-jewel-1372923/) ## Related quotes > [The covetous man pines in plenty, like Tantalus up to the chin in water, and yet thirsty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-adams/the-covetous-man-pines-in-plenty-like-tantalus-up-to-the-chin-in/) [Thomas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-adams/) > [The covetous man feareth not God. This also is plain from the word because it setteth covetousness and the fear of God in direct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bunyan/the-covetous-man-feareth-not-god-this-also-is-plain-from-the-word/) [John Bunyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bunyan/) > [The covetous man heaps up riches, not to enjoy them, but to have them; and starves himself in the midst of plenty, and most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/the-covetous-man-heaps-up-riches-not-to-enjoy-them-but-to-have-them/) [John Tillotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tillotson/) > [To the covetous man life is a nightmare, and God lets him wrestle with it as best he may.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/to-the-covetous-man-life-is-a-nightmare-and-god-lets-him-wrestle-with/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [True it is that covetousness is rich, modesty starves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/true-it-is-that-covetousness-is-rich-modesty-starves/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [If we are to say no to covetousness, we must learn to say yes to contentment. 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One for whom plenty is not enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/who-is-the-covetous-man-one-for-whom-plenty-is-not-enough/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [If money be not thy servant, it will be thy master. The covetous man cannot so properly be said to possess wealth, as that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/if-money-be-not-thy-servant-it-will-be-thy-master-the-covetous-man/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [The poor man wants many things; the covetous man, all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/the-poor-man-wants-many-things-the-covetous-man-all/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [The covetous man never has money. The prodigal will have none shortly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/the-covetous-man-never-has-money-the-prodigal-will-have-none-shortly/) [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) > [The covetous man is ever in want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/the-covetous-man-is-ever-in-want/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) ## More by John Milton > [Love-quarrels oft in pleasing concord end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/love-quarrels-oft-in-pleasing-concord-end/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [What better can we do than prostrate fall before Him reverent, and there confess humbly our faults, and pardon beg with tears watering the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/what-better-can-we-do-than-prostrate-fall-before-him-reverent-and/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [And, when night Darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-when-night-darkens-the-streets-then-wander-forth-the-sons-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [And, re-assembling our afflicted powers, consult how we may henceforth most offend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-re-assembling-our-afflicted-powers-consult-how-we-may-henceforth/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Yet hold it more humane, more heav'nly, first, By winning words to conquer willing hearts, And make persuasion do the work of fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/yet-hold-it-more-humane-more-heav-nly-first-by-winning-words-to/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [O nightingale, that on yon bloomy spray Warblest at eve, when all the woods are still; Thou with fresh hope the lover's heart dost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/o-nightingale-that-on-yon-bloomy-spray-warblest-at-eve-when-all-the/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [The debt immense of endless gratitude, So burthensome, still paying, still to owe; Forgetful what from him I still receivd, And understood not that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/the-debt-immense-of-endless-gratitude-so-burthensome-still-paying/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Knowledge forbidden? Suspicious, reasonless. Why should their Lord Envy them that? Can it be sin to know, Can it be death? And do they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/knowledge-forbidden-suspicious-reasonless-why-should-their-lord-envy/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [There is no truth sure enough to justify persecution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/there-is-no-truth-sure-enough-to-justify-persecution/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [These eyes, tho' clear To outward view of blemish or of spot, Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot, Nor to their idle orbs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/these-eyes-tho-clear-to-outward-view-of-blemish-or-of-spot-bereft-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [New Presbyter is but Old Priest writ Large.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/new-presbyter-is-but-old-priest-writ-large/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [And what is faith, love, virtue unassayed Alone, without exterior help sustained?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-what-is-faith-love-virtue-unassayed-alone-without-exterior-help/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [This is servitude, To serve th'unwise, or him who hath rebelled Against his worthier, as thine now serve thee, Thyself not free, but to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/this-is-servitude-to-serve-th-unwise-or-him-who-hath-rebelled-against/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Let us seek Death, or he not found, supply With our own hands his office on ourselves; Why stand we longer shivering under fears,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/let-us-seek-death-or-he-not-found-supply-with-our-own-hands-his/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [They are the troublers, they are the dividers of unity, who neglect and don't permit others to unite those dissevered pieces which are yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/they-are-the-troublers-they-are-the-dividers-of-unity-who-neglect-and/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) [Explore all 966 John Milton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) ## More Covetousness quotes > [There are three things against which the wise man guards: lust when young, quarrels when strong, and covetousness when old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/there-are-three-things-against-which-the-wise-man-guards-lust-when/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Let us avoid debt as we would avoid a plague...Let every head of every household see to it that he has on hand enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-reuben-clark/let-us-avoid-debt-as-we-would-avoid-a-plague-let-every-head-of-every/) [J. Reuben Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-reuben-clark/) > [Perfect love is to feeling what perfect white is to color. Many think that white is the absence of color. It is not. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/perfect-love-is-to-feeling-what-perfect-white-is-to-color-many-think/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If we are to say no to covetousness, we must learn to say yes to contentment. This involves learning to be content with what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/if-we-are-to-say-no-to-covetousness-we-must-learn-to-say-yes-to/) [Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/) > [There are four Powers: memory and intellect, desire and covetousness. The two first are mental and the others sensual. The three senses: sight, hearing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/there-are-four-powers-memory-and-intellect-desire-and-covetousness/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [I have heard thousands of confessions, but never one of covetousness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-xavier/i-have-heard-thousands-of-confessions-but-never-one-of-covetousness/) [Francis Xavier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-xavier/) > [It was with good reason that God commanded through Moses that the vineyard and harvest were not to be gleaned to the last grape…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/it-was-with-good-reason-that-god-commanded-through-moses-that-the/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [The evils of the body are murder, theft, and adultery; of the tongue, lying, slander, abuse and idle talk; of the mind, covetousness, hatred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/the-evils-of-the-body-are-murder-theft-and-adultery-of-the-tongue/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [Covetousness, anger and foolishness are things to sort out well. When bad things happen in the world, if you look at them comparatively, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yamamoto-tsunetomo/covetousness-anger-and-foolishness-are-things-to-sort-out-well-when/) [Yamamoto Tsunetomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yamamoto-tsunetomo/) > [The Word says, ‘Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world’ (1 John 2:15). Jesus warned, ‘Beware of covetousness: for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wilkerson/the-word-says-love-not-the-world-neither-the-things-that-are-in-the/) [David Wilkerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wilkerson/) > [While it is undeniable that many have been driven to immorality and crime by the need to survive, it is equally evident that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/while-it-is-undeniable-that-many-have-been-driven-to-immorality-and/) [Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) > [Bare-faced covetousness was the moving spirit of civilization from its first dawn to the present day; wealth, and again wealth, and for the third…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-engels/bare-faced-covetousness-was-the-moving-spirit-of-civilization-from/) [Friedrich Engels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-engels/) > [By Jove, I am not covetous for gold, Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; It yearns me not if me my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/by-jove-i-am-not-covetous-for-gold-nor-care-i-who-doth-feed-upon-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Look at them. There are your true philosophers. I think that Mack and the boys know everything that has ever happened in the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/look-at-them-there-are-your-true-philosophers-i-think-that-mack-and/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [Other passions have objects to flatter them, and seem to content and satisfy them for a while; there is power in ambition, pleasure in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/other-passions-have-objects-to-flatter-them-and-seem-to-content-and/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) [Browse all 126 Covetousness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/covetousness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Though we take from a covetous man all his treasure, he has yet one jewel left; you cannot bereave him of his covetousness.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Milton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/though-we-take-from-a-covetous-man-all-his-treasure-he-has-yet-one/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Covetousness" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/though-we-take-from-a-covetous-man-all-his-treasure-he-has-yet-one/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b4/john-milton-191_covetousness_though-we-take-from-a-covetous-man-all-h_1724853.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b4/john-milton-191_covetousness_though-we-take-from-a-covetous-man-all-h_1724853.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b4/john-milton-191_covetousness_though-we-take-from-a-covetous-man-all-h_1724853.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Though we take from a covetous man all his treasure, he has yet one jewel left; you cannot bereave him of…” — John Milton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Milton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Though we take from a covetous...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/though-we-take-from-a-covetous-man-all-his-treasure-he-has-yet-one/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/though-we-take-from-a-covetous-man-all-his-treasure-he-has-yet-one/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```