--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The great danger in today's world…" description: "\"The great danger in today's world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feveris..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/739/pope-francis-85_anguish_the-great-danger-in-today-s-world-pervad_781358.png" --- # The great danger in today's world, pervaded as it is by… ![“The great danger in today's world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there…” quote by Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/739/pope-francis-85_anguish_the-great-danger-in-today-s-world-pervad_781358.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/739/pope-francis-85_anguish_the-great-danger-in-today-s-world-pervad_781358.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/739/pope-francis-85_anguish_the-great-danger-in-today-s-world-pervad_781358.png) > “The great danger in today's world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor.” [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Consumerism blinds hearts, causing neglect of the poor and loss of moral conscience. **In simple terms:** Materialism hurts others and our conscience. Key Takeaway Prioritize compassion over material cravings. Themes social justice compassion humility Mood somber inspirational Type religious philosophical When to use this quote - charitable work - community service - personal budgeting - public policy Key Concepts ethical consumption social responsibility Questions to Reflect On - What can you give up to help others? - How does consumerism affect your empathy? A Different Perspective Changing deep‑seated habits is difficult. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anguish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anguish/) [Born](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/born/) [Caught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caught/) [Caught up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caught-up/) [Complacent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complacent/) [Complacent Covetous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complacent-covetous-6020211/) [Concern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concern/) [Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) [Consumerism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consumerism/) [Consumerism Desolation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consumerism-desolation-6020209/) [Danger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/danger/) [Desolation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desolation/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [Frivolous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frivolous/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Interiors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interiors/) [Pervaded Consumerism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pervaded-consumerism-6020210/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Poor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poor/) [Pursuit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursuit/) [Rooms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rooms/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [Today 's world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today-s-world/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Strong states and blocs of strong states are the only source of power and legitimacy capable of driving an international agenda in today's world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-bremmer/strong-states-and-blocs-of-strong-states-are-the-only-source-of-power/) [Ian Bremmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-bremmer/) > [In features, one of the goals is to have the audience walk out, fully satisfied. In today's world, it's maybe wanting a sequel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-brandt/in-features-one-of-the-goals-is-to-have-the-audience-walk-out-fully/) [Michael Brandt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-brandt/) > [in today's world no country can be absolutely independent of another. It is a world of interdependence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/indira-gandhi/in-today-s-world-no-country-can-be-absolutely-independent-of-another/) [Indira Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/indira-gandhi/) > [Rigorously investigated and fearlessly reported, A Crime So Monstrous is a passionate and thorough examination of the appalling reality of human bondage in today's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/rigorously-investigated-and-fearlessly-reported-a-crime-so-monstrous/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [In today's world, both men and woman need motherhood, the nurturing motherly feeling, the feminine energy. By receiving this energy, it will make them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mata-amritanandamayi/in-today-s-world-both-men-and-woman-need-motherhood-the-nurturing/) [Mata Amritanandamayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mata-amritanandamayi/) > [The flight of most members of a profession to the high empyrean, where they can work peacefully on purely scientific problems, isolated from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-holton/the-flight-of-most-members-of-a-profession-to-the-high-empyrean-where/) [Gerald Holton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-holton/) > [I think that in today's world, by nature, we are all self-centered. And that often leads to selfishness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-chapman/i-think-that-in-today-s-world-by-nature-we-are-all-self-centered-and/) [Gary Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-chapman/) > [All of us living in today's world are facing an enormous crisis - arguably the greatest that humanity has ever faced - in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-hochschild/all-of-us-living-in-today-s-world-are-facing-an-enormous-crisis/) [Adam Hochschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-hochschild/) > [In today's world, only one person in every 200 is Canadian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-catley-carlson/in-today-s-world-only-one-person-in-every-200-is-canadian/) [Margaret Catley-Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-catley-carlson/) > [There are nearly 200 countries and a population of over 6 billion in today's world. International affairs should be addressed by all countries through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-peng/there-are-nearly-200-countries-and-a-population-of-over-6-billion-in/) [Li Peng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-peng/) > [The person who insists on using yesterday's methods in today's world won't be in business tomorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-person-who-insists-on-using-yesterday-s-methods-in-today-s-world/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [But then he told himself: What does it really mean to be useful? Today's world, just as it is, contains the sum of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/but-then-he-told-himself-what-does-it-really-mean-to-be-useful-today/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [A person who is able to be a living centre of peace in today's world and who is able to radiate that peace powerfully,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-assagioli/a-person-who-is-able-to-be-a-living-centre-of-peace-in-today-s-world/) [Roberto Assagioli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-assagioli/) > [With Epcot Center, the Disney corporation has accomplished something I didn't think possible in today's world. They have created a land of make-believe that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/with-epcot-center-the-disney-corporation-has-accomplished-something-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In today's world you have to interact. You can't be some difficult, shy person who is not able to look somebody in the face;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-wintour/in-today-s-world-you-have-to-interact-you-can-t-be-some-difficult-shy/) [Anna Wintour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-wintour/) ## More by Pope Francis > [God reveals Himself through surprises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/god-reveals-himself-through-surprises/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [God’s faithfulness is stronger than our unfaithfulness and our infidelities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/god-s-faithfulness-is-stronger-than-our-unfaithfulness-and-our/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Have the courage to go against the tide of current values that do not conform to the path of Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/have-the-courage-to-go-against-the-tide-of-current-values-that-do-not/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [“Most people nowadays would not consider love as related in any way to truth. Love is seen as an experience associated with the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/most-people-nowadays-would-not-consider-love-as-related-in-any-way-to/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [The family remains the basic unit of society and the first school in which children learn the human, spiritual and moral values which enable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/the-family-remains-the-basic-unit-of-society-and-the-first-school-in/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Listen to Jesus and follow him. That's the message of the Transfiguration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/listen-to-jesus-and-follow-him-that-s-the-message-of-the/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Proceed calmly in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/proceed-calmly-in-life/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [I like to say that women are those who form life in their wombs - and this is a comparison I make - they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/i-like-to-say-that-women-are-those-who-form-life-in-their-wombs-and/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [You cannot insult the faith of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/you-cannot-insult-the-faith-of-others/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [I want to remind priests that the confessional must not be a torture chamber but rather an encounter with the Lord’s mercy which spurs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/i-want-to-remind-priests-that-the-confessional-must-not-be-a-torture/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [To all people of good will who are working for social justice: never tire of working for a more just world, marked by greater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/to-all-people-of-good-will-who-are-working-for-social-justice-never/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [In Confession, Jesus welcomes us with all our sinfulness, to give us a new heart, capable of loving as he loves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/in-confession-jesus-welcomes-us-with-all-our-sinfulness-to-give-us-a/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [I pray every day for all who are suffering in Iraq. Please join me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/i-pray-every-day-for-all-who-are-suffering-in-iraq-please-join-me/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [I entrust this Twenty-second World Day of the Sick to the intercession of Mary. I ask her to help the sick to bear their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/i-entrust-this-twenty-second-world-day-of-the-sick-to-the/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Certain realities in life are only seen through eyes that are cleansed through our tears. Let us learn how to weep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/certain-realities-in-life-are-only-seen-through-eyes-that-are/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) [Explore all 1,479 Pope Francis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) ## More Anguish quotes > [“He put his forehead against hers. “Alannah, my heart is yours.” He said softly. “And yet, I must hand it over to someone else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-c-morin/he-put-his-forehead-against-hers-alannah-my-heart-is-yours-he-said/) [B.C. Morin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-c-morin/) > [Knowledge gives a wider choice and more anguish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-florman/knowledge-gives-a-wider-choice-and-more-anguish/) [Samuel Florman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-florman/) > [pg.9 "In my heart there's a peaceful anguish, and my calm is made of resignation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-pessoa/pg-9-in-my-heart-there-s-a-peaceful-anguish-and-my-calm-is-made-of/) [Fernando Pessoa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-pessoa/) > [Memory, with its fugitive adjustments, is the merciful veil to the grim enactments of the first law. It hides the anguish in the human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-aumonier/memory-with-its-fugitive-adjustments-is-the-merciful-veil-to-the-grim/) [Stacy Aumonier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-aumonier/) > [Our religion is itself profoundly sad - a religion of universal anguish, and one which, because of its very catholicity, grants full liberty to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-baudelaire/our-religion-is-itself-profoundly-sad-a-religion-of-universal-anguish/) [Charles Baudelaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-baudelaire/) > [Being human, we would expel from our lives physical pain and mental anguish and assure ourselves of continual ease and comfort, but if we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-w-kimball/being-human-we-would-expel-from-our-lives-physical-pain-and-mental/) [Spencer W. Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-w-kimball/) > [The intellectuals' chief cause of anguish are one another's works. Jacques Barzun, 1959 all ignorance toboggans into know and trudges up to ignorance again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-e-cummings/the-intellectuals-chief-cause-of-anguish-are-one-another-s-works/) [e. e. cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-e-cummings/) > [I saw my parents as gods whose every wish must be obeyed or I would suffer the penalty of anguish and guilt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-wood/i-saw-my-parents-as-gods-whose-every-wish-must-be-obeyed-or-i-would/) [Natalie Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-wood/) > [Every last cast is actually a first cast. The first cast and first chance to catch the next fish. The next time you anguish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-bishop/every-last-cast-is-actually-a-first-cast-the-first-cast-and-first/) [Tony Bishop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-bishop/) > [Journalism is an extraordinary and terrible privilege. Not by chance, if you are aware of it, does it consume you with a hundred feelings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oriana-fallaci/journalism-is-an-extraordinary-and-terrible-privilege-not-by-chance/) [Oriana Fallaci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oriana-fallaci/) > [I have discovered in my long life that there are many words and phrases which have more power than any spell of magick. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gemmell/i-have-discovered-in-my-long-life-that-there-are-many-words-and/) [David Gemmell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gemmell/) > [One realizes that human relationships are the tragic necessity of human life; that they can never be wholly satisfactory, that every ego is half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/one-realizes-that-human-relationships-are-the-tragic-necessity-of/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [I have designed my style pantomimes as white ink drawings on black backgrounds, so that man's destiny appears as a thread lost in an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-marceau/i-have-designed-my-style-pantomimes-as-white-ink-drawings-on-black/) [Marcel Marceau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-marceau/) > [So silently, peacefully, without hurry, without any tension, without any anguish, move into yourself instantly. It is urgent. Unless meditation becomes urgent to you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/so-silently-peacefully-without-hurry-without-any-tension-without-any/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [It breaks my heart to think about a family weeping over the loss of a loved one. I understand the anguish that some feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-p-bush/it-breaks-my-heart-to-think-about-a-family-weeping-over-the-loss-of-a/) [George P. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-p-bush/) [Browse all 570 Anguish quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anguish/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The great danger in today's world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. 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