--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: These temple destroyers, devotees of…" description: "\"These temple destroyers, devotees of ravaging commercialism, seem to have a perfect contempt for Nature, and, instead of lifting their eyes to the God ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b2/john-muir-678_almighty_these-temple-destroyers-devotees-of-rava_1525757.png" --- # These temple destroyers, devotees of ravaging… ![“These temple destroyers, devotees of ravaging commercialism, seem to have a perfect contempt for Nature, and, instead of lifting their eyes to the God of the mountains, lift them to the Almighty Dollar.” quote by John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b2/john-muir-678_almighty_these-temple-destroyers-devotees-of-rava_1525757.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b2/john-muir-678_almighty_these-temple-destroyers-devotees-of-rava_1525757.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b2/john-muir-678_almighty_these-temple-destroyers-devotees-of-rava_1525757.png) > “These temple destroyers, devotees of ravaging commercialism, seem to have a perfect contempt for Nature, and, instead of lifting their eyes to the God of the mountains, lift them to the Almighty Dollar.” [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Critique of people who prioritize profit over nature, ignoring spiritual reverence for the natural world. **In simple terms:** People value money more than the environment. Key Takeaway Respect nature over profit. Themes environment materialism spirituality Mood concerned reflective Type environmental philosophical When to use this quote - corporate development - urban expansion - resource extraction - tourism - policy making Key Concepts conservation consumerism anthropocentrism Questions to Reflect On - How can societies balance economic growth with ecological stewardship? - What personal habits reflect reverence for nature? A Different Perspective Economic pressures often force compromises that harm ecosystems. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Almighty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/almighty/) [Commercialism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commercialism/) [Contempt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contempt/) [Dollars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dollars/) [Economy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economy/) [Greed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greed/) [Lifting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lifting/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Temples](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temples/) ## Related quotes > [Music can save people, but it can't in the commercial way it's being used. It's just too much. 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California weddings that June were small in attendance, the bride, groom,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pam-jones/on-the-day-the-park-opened-half-the-state-must-have-turned-up/) Pam Jones > [For all of us involved in preaching the gospel, performing music, publishing Christian materials, and all the rest, there is an uncomfortable message here:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cymbala/for-all-of-us-involved-in-preaching-the-gospel-performing-music/) [Jim Cymbala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cymbala/) > [“Humanity has been institutionalized and we are all the products of commercial and institutional life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/humanity-has-been-institutionalized-and-we-are-all-the-products-of/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [The cultivation of one set of faculties tends to the disuse of others. The loss of one faculty sharpens others; the blind are sensitive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-ellen-foster/the-cultivation-of-one-set-of-faculties-tends-to-the-disuse-of-others/) [Judith Ellen Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-ellen-foster/) > [“FRUITS AND NUTS Keep jumping around them like monkeys. The clones, Commercialized zombies, And the TV junkies. Keep throwing berries, Twigs, And nuts at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/fruits-and-nuts-keep-jumping-around-them-like-monkeys-the-clones/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [I think commercialism helps Christmas and I think that the more capitalism we can inject into the Christmas holiday the more spiritual I feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-think-commercialism-helps-christmas-and-i-think-that-the-more/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [Commercialism is the blemish on the fair face of American life. Fighting against the terrible conditions of the explorer and pioneer, our forefathers had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-foote-macdougall/commercialism-is-the-blemish-on-the-fair-face-of-american-life/) [Alice Foote MacDougall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-foote-macdougall/) > [“As I walk through, a kind of amazed mantra starts running through my head: There is no end to the making and selling of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/as-i-walk-through-a-kind-of-amazed-mantra-starts-running-through-my/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [Commercialism that has absolutely no relationship to quality whatsoever, only quantitative assessment of a thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/commercialism-that-has-absolutely-no-relationship-to-quality/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [I'd say we need a balance between commercialism and the humanitarian aspects of life. And we need to start by being grateful for what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhea-pillai/i-d-say-we-need-a-balance-between-commercialism-and-the-humanitarian/) [Rhea Pillai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhea-pillai/) > [I like the concept of dressing people. I used to not care whether people bought the clothes or not, but I kind of like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-mcqueen/i-like-the-concept-of-dressing-people-i-used-to-not-care-whether/) [Alexander McQueen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-mcqueen/) > [Prasadam's a good little hook in this age of commercialism. When people want something extra, or they need to have something special, prasadam will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-harrison/prasadam-s-a-good-little-hook-in-this-age-of-commercialism-when/) [George Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-harrison/) > [ \[There is\] a strange split in thinking common to those on the religious left, who are quick to denounce the profit motive and commercialism.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sirico/there-is-a-strange-split-in-thinking-common-to-those-on-the-religious/) Robert Sirico ## More by John Muir > [I will follow my instincts, be myself for good or ill, and see what will be the upshot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/i-will-follow-my-instincts-be-myself-for-good-or-ill-and-see-what/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [During my first years in the Sierra, I was ever calling on everybody within reach to admire them, but I found no one half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/during-my-first-years-in-the-sierra-i-was-ever-calling-on-everybody/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [While cares will drop off like autumn leaves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/while-cares-will-drop-off-like-autumn-leaves/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [...full of God's thoughts, a place of peace and safety amid the most exalted grandeur and enthusiastic action, a new song, a place of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/full-of-god-s-thoughts-a-place-of-peace-and-safety-amid-the-most/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [“Here are the roots of all the life of the valleys, and here more simply than elsewhere is the eternal flux of nature manifested.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/here-are-the-roots-of-all-the-life-of-the-valleys-and-here-more/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Spring work is going on with joyful enthusiasm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/spring-work-is-going-on-with-joyful-enthusiasm/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Our lives are rounded with a sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/our-lives-are-rounded-with-a-sleep/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Another glorious day, the air as delicious to the lungs as nectar to the tongue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/another-glorious-day-the-air-as-delicious-to-the-lungs-as-nectar-to/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Long, blue, spiky-edged shadows crept out across the snow-fields, while a rosy glow, at first scarce discernible, gradually deepened and suffused every mountain-top, flushing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/long-blue-spiky-edged-shadows-crept-out-across-the-snow-fields-while/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [“This grand show is eternal. It is always sunrise somewhere; the dew is never all dried at once; a shower is forever falling; vapor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/this-grand-show-is-eternal-it-is-always-sunrise-somewhere-the-dew-is/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/when-one-tugs-at-a-single-thing-in-nature-he-finds-it-attached-to-the/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [In studying the fate of our forest king, we have thus far considered the action of purely natural causes only; but, unfortunately, man is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/in-studying-the-fate-of-our-forest-king-we-have-thus-far-considered/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [The forests of America, however slighted by man, must have been a great delight to God; for they were the best he ever planted.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/the-forests-of-america-however-slighted-by-man-must-have-been-a-great/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Man seems to be the only animal whose food soils him, making necessary much washing and shield-like bibs and napkins. Moles living in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/man-seems-to-be-the-only-animal-whose-food-soils-him-making-necessary/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [As long as I live, I'll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. I'll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/as-long-as-i-live-i-ll-hear-waterfalls-and-birds-and-winds-sing-i-ll/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) [Explore all 409 John Muir quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) ## More Almighty quotes > [I recognize I am essentially a failed human being in the sense that I can't possibly live up to the expectations of an Almighty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-recognize-i-am-essentially-a-failed-human-being-in-the-sense-that-i/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [One of the most powerful concepts, one which is a sure cure for lack of confidence, is the thought that God is with you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/one-of-the-most-powerful-concepts-one-which-is-a-sure-cure-for-lack/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [“The LORD Almighty is our very present helper at all times.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-lord-almighty-is-our-very-present-helper-at-all-times/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [What is it the Bible teaches us? - raping, cruelty, and murder. What is it the New Testament teaches us? - to believe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/what-is-it-the-bible-teaches-us-raping-cruelty-and-murder-what-is-it/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [I really appreciate leaders from around the globe who have come to share in prayer with us today. It reminds me that the Almighty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-really-appreciate-leaders-from-around-the-globe-who-have-come-to/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Thi is the malady onf the humans, that they can hold on to that which is fleeting and of little consequence and call it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-fabry/thi-is-the-malady-onf-the-humans-that-they-can-hold-on-to-that-which/) [Chris Fabry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-fabry/) > [There is nothing more appalling than the wholesale way in which unthinking people plead to the Almighty the richest and most spiritual of His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-henry-drummond/there-is-nothing-more-appalling-than-the-wholesale-way-in-which/) [William Henry Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-henry-drummond/) > [And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, warranted by the Constitution, upon military necessity, I invoke the considerate judgment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salmon-p-chase/and-upon-this-act-sincerely-believed-to-be-an-act-of-justice/) [Salmon P. 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God Almighty made 'em to match the men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/i-m-not-denyin-the-women-are-foolish-god-almighty-made-em-to-match/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) [Browse all 723 Almighty quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/almighty/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "These temple destroyers, devotees of ravaging commercialism, seem to have a perfect contempt for Nature, and, instead of lifting their eyes to the God of the mountains, lift them to the Almighty Dollar.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Muir" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/these-temple-destroyers-devotees-of-ravaging-commercialism-seem-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Almighty" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/these-temple-destroyers-devotees-of-ravaging-commercialism-seem-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b2/john-muir-678_almighty_these-temple-destroyers-devotees-of-rava_1525757.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b2/john-muir-678_almighty_these-temple-destroyers-devotees-of-rava_1525757.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b2/john-muir-678_almighty_these-temple-destroyers-devotees-of-rava_1525757.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“These temple destroyers, devotees of ravaging commercialism, seem to have a perfect contempt for Nature…” — John Muir", "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 Muir", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "These temple destroyers, devotees of ravaging...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/these-temple-destroyers-devotees-of-ravaging-commercialism-seem-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/these-temple-destroyers-devotees-of-ravaging-commercialism-seem-to/#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 } } ] } ```