--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Stubborn selfishness leads otherwise good…" description: "\"Stubborn selfishness leads otherwise good people to fight over herds, patches of sand, and strippings of milk. All this results from what the Lord call..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/095/neal-a-maxwell-925_coveting_stubborn-selfishness-leads-otherwise-goo_905818.jpg" --- # Stubborn selfishness leads otherwise good people to fight… ![“Stubborn selfishness leads otherwise good people to fight over herds, patches of sand, and strippings of milk. All this results from what the Lord calls coveting "the drop," while neglecting the "more weighty matters." (D&C 117:8) Myopic selfishness magnifies a mess of pottage and makes thirty…” quote by Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/095/neal-a-maxwell-925_coveting_stubborn-selfishness-leads-otherwise-goo_905818.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/095/neal-a-maxwell-925_coveting_stubborn-selfishness-leads-otherwise-goo_905818.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/095/neal-a-maxwell-925_coveting_stubborn-selfishness-leads-otherwise-goo_905818.jpg) > “Stubborn selfishness leads otherwise good people to fight over herds, patches of sand, and strippings of milk. All this results from what the Lord calls coveting "the drop," while neglecting the "more weighty matters." (D&C 117:8) Myopic selfishness magnifies a mess of pottage and makes thirty pieces of silver look like a treasure trove. In our intense acquisitiveness, we forget Him who once said, "What is property unto me?"” [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Selfish desire for trivial gains blinds people to deeper spiritual priorities, turning modest resources into false treasures. **In simple terms:** Coveting small things distracts from greater spiritual matters. Key Takeaway Prioritize lasting values over fleeting gains. Themes spirituality selfishness materialism priorities faith Mood thoughtful inspirational serious Type scriptural ethical When to use this quote - personal reflection - sermon preparation - faith counseling - ethical decision making - community study Key Concepts coveting myopia acquisitiveness prophetic teaching moral focus Questions to Reflect On - What truly matters beyond material wealth? - How can we balance personal needs with spiritual growth? A Different Perspective The passage may not address systemic causes of inequality beyond individual behavior. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Coveting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coveting/) [Fighting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighting/) [Forget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forget/) [Forget him](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forget-him/) [Good people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-people/) [Herds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/herds/) [Intense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intense/) [Looks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looks/) [Lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lord/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [Mess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mess/) [Milk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/milk/) [Myopic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/myopic/) [Myopic Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/myopic-selfishness-1285065/) [Neglect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neglect/) [Patches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patches/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Pieces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pieces/) [Property](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/property/) [Results](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/results/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Sand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sand/) [Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness/) [Selfishness Leads](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness-leads-1285067/) [Selfishness Magnifies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness-magnifies-1285068/) [Silver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silver/) [Stripping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stripping/) [Stubborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stubborn/) [Stubborn Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stubborn-selfishness-1285066/) [Thirty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thirty/) [Treasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/treasure/) ## Related quotes > [Self-interest is not myopic selfishness. It is whatever it is that interests the participants, whatever they value, whatever goals they pursue. The scientist seeking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-friedman/self-interest-is-not-myopic-selfishness-it-is-whatever-it-is-that/) [Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/) > [“Selfishness leads to nothingness. Generosity and benevolence leads to great reward,” he explained.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-w-lord/selfishness-leads-to-nothingness-generosity-and-benevolence-leads-to/) [J. W. Lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-w-lord/) > [How myopic it is to view His ministry as all crucifixion and no resurrection!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/how-myopic-it-is-to-view-his-ministry-as-all-crucifixion-and-no/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Well-being is possible to the degree to which one has overcome one's narcissism; to the degree to which one is open, responsive, sensitive, awake,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/well-being-is-possible-to-the-degree-to-which-one-has-overcome-one-s/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [We are ever striving after what is forbidden, and coveting what is denied us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/we-are-ever-striving-after-what-is-forbidden-and-coveting-what-is/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [“Coveting is about craving something to the point of distraction and dysfunction. People think coveting is about craving the things you don’t have. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unka-glen/coveting-is-about-craving-something-to-the-point-of-distraction-and/) [Unka Glen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/unka-glen/) > [MOST of the ugliness in the human narrative comes from a distorted quest to possess beauty. COVETING begins with appreciating blessings: MURDER begins with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-claiborne/most-of-the-ugliness-in-the-human-narrative-comes-from-a-distorted/) [Shane Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-claiborne/) > [There is no sin coveting things are of no great use or profit, but would show out good and have some grandeur around them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lady-gregory/there-is-no-sin-coveting-things-are-of-no-great-use-or-profit-but/) [Lady Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lady-gregory/) > [Crouchers move through a garden at a stoop: naming, gasping, horraying, admiring or coveting plants; Gapers saunter, smiling or sighing at what they find,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mirabel-osler/crouchers-move-through-a-garden-at-a-stoop-naming-gasping-horraying/) [Mirabel Osler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mirabel-osler/) > [“When I realize that God makes his gifts fit each person, there's no way I can covet what you got because it just wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-smith/when-i-realize-that-god-makes-his-gifts-fit-each-person-there-s-no/) [William P. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-smith/) > [Greed and desire Not peace, but fire Coveting creation Created damnation Pulled alongside A gate thrown too wide Now our home calls And darkness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiersten-white/greed-and-desire-not-peace-but-fire-coveting-creation-created/) [Kiersten White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiersten-white/) > [Old school feminism, coveting social power, is blind to woman's cosmic sexual power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/old-school-feminism-coveting-social-power-is-blind-to-woman-s-cosmic/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [He won healing, He won deliverance, He won financial prosperity, mental prosperity, physical prosperity, family prosperity. He said He would meet my needs according…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-copeland/he-won-healing-he-won-deliverance-he-won-financial-prosperity-mental/) [Kenneth Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-copeland/) > [Thou shalt not covet; but tradition approves all forms of competition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hugh-clough/thou-shalt-not-covet-but-tradition-approves-all-forms-of-competition/) [Arthur Hugh Clough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hugh-clough/) > [... a bad attitude, that the love of money is the root of all evil and the rich are evil and greedy and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/a-bad-attitude-that-the-love-of-money-is-the-root-of-all-evil-and-the/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) ## More by Neal A. Maxwell > [Clearly, when we baptize, our eyes should gaze beyond the baptismal font to the holy temple. The great garner into which the sheaves should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/clearly-when-we-baptize-our-eyes-should-gaze-beyond-the-baptismal/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [We should not assume; however, that just because something is unexplainable by us, it is unexplainable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/we-should-not-assume-however-that-just-because-something-is/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Naive optimism and pervasive pessimism are both to be avoided, therefore. It's not an easy balance to maintain, to be asked to work away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/naive-optimism-and-pervasive-pessimism-are-both-to-be-avoided/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Occasionally some individuals let the seeming ordinariness of life dampen their spirits. Though actually coping and growning, others lack the quiet, inner-soul satisfaction that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/occasionally-some-individuals-let-the-seeming-ordinariness-of-life/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [The acceptance of the reality that we are in the Lord's loving hands is only a recognition that we have never really been anywhere…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/the-acceptance-of-the-reality-that-we-are-in-the-lord-s-loving-hands/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [We can't dwell upon another's ingratitude without using up our time and talents unprofitably.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/we-can-t-dwell-upon-another-s-ingratitude-without-using-up-our-time/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [The winds of tribulation, which blow out some men's candles of commitment, only fan the fires of faith of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/the-winds-of-tribulation-which-blow-out-some-men-s-candles-of/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Power is most safe with those who are not in love with it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/power-is-most-safe-with-those-who-are-not-in-love-with-it/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Ultimate hope constitutes the anchor of the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/ultimate-hope-constitutes-the-anchor-of-the-soul/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Frequently, we busily search for group service projects, which are surely needed and commendable, when quiet, personal service is also urgently needed. Sometimes the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/frequently-we-busily-search-for-group-service-projects-which-are/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [The cumulative weight of all mortal sins--past, present, and future--pressed upon that perfect, sinless, and sensitive Soul! All our infirmities and sicknesses were somehow,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/the-cumulative-weight-of-all-mortal-sins-past-present-and-future/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [“When we feel so alone, we cannot presume to teach him who, at the apogee of his agony, trod “the winepress alone” anything about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/when-we-feel-so-alone-we-cannot-presume-to-teach-him-who-at-the/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [How myopic it is to view His ministry as all crucifixion and no resurrection!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/how-myopic-it-is-to-view-his-ministry-as-all-crucifixion-and-no/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Patience stoutly resists pulling up the daisies to see how the roots are doing!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/patience-stoutly-resists-pulling-up-the-daisies-to-see-how-the-roots/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Our little pebble of poor performance helps to start, or to sustain, an avalanche.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/our-little-pebble-of-poor-performance-helps-to-start-or-to-sustain-an/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) [Explore all 328 Neal A. Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) ## More Coveting quotes > [Well-being is possible to the degree to which one has overcome one's narcissism; to the degree to which one is open, responsive, sensitive, awake,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/well-being-is-possible-to-the-degree-to-which-one-has-overcome-one-s/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [Thou shalt not covet; but tradition approves all forms of competition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hugh-clough/thou-shalt-not-covet-but-tradition-approves-all-forms-of-competition/) [Arthur Hugh Clough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hugh-clough/) > [He won healing, He won deliverance, He won financial prosperity, mental prosperity, physical prosperity, family prosperity. He said He would meet my needs according…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-copeland/he-won-healing-he-won-deliverance-he-won-financial-prosperity-mental/) [Kenneth Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-copeland/) > [Old school feminism, coveting social power, is blind to woman's cosmic sexual power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/old-school-feminism-coveting-social-power-is-blind-to-woman-s-cosmic/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [Greed and desire Not peace, but fire Coveting creation Created damnation Pulled alongside A gate thrown too wide Now our home calls And darkness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiersten-white/greed-and-desire-not-peace-but-fire-coveting-creation-created/) [Kiersten White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiersten-white/) > [“When I realize that God makes his gifts fit each person, there's no way I can covet what you got because it just wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-smith/when-i-realize-that-god-makes-his-gifts-fit-each-person-there-s-no/) [William P. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-smith/) > [Crouchers move through a garden at a stoop: naming, gasping, horraying, admiring or coveting plants; Gapers saunter, smiling or sighing at what they find,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mirabel-osler/crouchers-move-through-a-garden-at-a-stoop-naming-gasping-horraying/) [Mirabel Osler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mirabel-osler/) > [There is no sin coveting things are of no great use or profit, but would show out good and have some grandeur around them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lady-gregory/there-is-no-sin-coveting-things-are-of-no-great-use-or-profit-but/) [Lady Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lady-gregory/) > [MOST of the ugliness in the human narrative comes from a distorted quest to possess beauty. COVETING begins with appreciating blessings: MURDER begins with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-claiborne/most-of-the-ugliness-in-the-human-narrative-comes-from-a-distorted/) [Shane Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-claiborne/) > [“Coveting is about craving something to the point of distraction and dysfunction. People think coveting is about craving the things you don’t have. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unka-glen/coveting-is-about-craving-something-to-the-point-of-distraction-and/) [Unka Glen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/unka-glen/) > [We are ever striving after what is forbidden, and coveting what is denied us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/we-are-ever-striving-after-what-is-forbidden-and-coveting-what-is/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [... a bad attitude, that the love of money is the root of all evil and the rich are evil and greedy and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/a-bad-attitude-that-the-love-of-money-is-the-root-of-all-evil-and-the/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [“I’d always defined jealousy as coveting what someone else has.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammara-webber/i-d-always-defined-jealousy-as-coveting-what-someone-else-has/) [Tammara Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammara-webber/) > [“When I envied a man's spurs then they were indeed worth coveting.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zane-grey/when-i-envied-a-man-s-spurs-then-they-were-indeed-worth-coveting/) [Zane Grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zane-grey/) > [The family. We are a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/the-family-we-are-a-strange-little-band-of-characters-trudging/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) [Browse all 20 Coveting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coveting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Stubborn selfishness leads otherwise good people to fight over herds, patches of sand, and strippings of milk. All this results from what the Lord calls coveting \"the drop,\" while neglecting the \"more weighty matters.\" (D&C 117:8) Myopic selfishness magnifies a mess of pottage and makes thirty pieces of silver look like a treasure trove. In our intense acquisitiveness, we forget Him who once said, \"What is property unto me?\"", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Neal A. 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