Defined Quote by Terence Blacker
“Suddenly I find myself feeling sorry for those greedy, needy people whose huge salaries are never quite enough, whose sense of worth is defined by their own personal wad. What a diminished, impoverished world they must inhabit ... We should feel sorry for them and their sadly limited lives. Then we should remember never to trust the judgement of those whose priorities are so idiotically skewed.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Greedy Soul, Terence Blacker, 2010
We pity those whose self‑worth hinges on material excess, yet we must also distrust their distorted values.
In simple terms: Feel empathy, but beware of their skewed priorities.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate compassion while maintaining healthy boundaries.
Themes
materialism
empathy
values
criticism
self‑worth
Mood
sympathetic
critical
thoughtful
Type
social commentary
ethical
When to use this quote
- wealthy executives
- social media influencers
- corporate culture
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
consumerism
social critique
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you help those trapped in materialism?
- What boundaries protect you from their influence?
A Different Perspective
Empathy alone may enable harmful behavior if not paired with critical awareness.
![“The self is defined psychologically as the psychic totality of the individual. Anything that a [person] postulates as being a greater totality than [oneself] can become a symbol of the self. For this reason the symbol of the self is not always as total as the definition would require.” quote by Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/251/carl-jung-274_defined_the-self-is-defined-psychologically-as-t_7148.jpg)
