Alphabet Quote by Michel de Montaigne
“Covetousness is both the beginning and the end of the devil's alphabet - the first vice in corrupt nature that moves, and the last which dies.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Essais, 1580
Covetousness starts and ends the devil's alphabet, being the first and last vice in corrupt nature.
In simple terms: Greed is both the start and finish of evil.
Key Takeaway
Guard against greed to avoid moral decay.
Themes
morality
vice
human nature
Mood
cautionary
philosophical
Type
essayistic
critical
When to use this quote
- personal ambition
- business ethics
- political power
Key Concepts
greed
corruption
ethical decline
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives the cycle of greed?
- Can virtue replace vice?
A Different Perspective
Not all vices fit this pattern.
