Decay Quote by Oliver Goldsmith
“Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates, and men decay.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Deserted Village, 1770
The poem warns that rapid wealth growth leads to moral decay and social ruin.
In simple terms: Riches can corrupt and destroy society.
Key Takeaway
Beware unchecked greed and its social cost.
Themes
wealth
decay
society
morality
Mood
cautionary
reflective
Type
poetic
social commentary
When to use this quote
- urban development
- policy making
- personal finance
- community building
Key Concepts
economic inequality
ethical decline
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How does wealth affect community values?
- What safeguards prevent moral decay?
A Different Perspective
Rapid wealth can also fund positive change if managed ethically.
![“[T]here are depths of thousands of miles which are hidden from our inquiry. The only tidings we have from those unfathomable regions are by means of volcanoes, those burning mountains that seem to discharge their materials from the lowest abysses of the earth.” quote by Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b7d/oliver-goldsmith-772_abyss_t-here-are-depths-of-thousands-of-miles_88121.jpg)
