--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Surfeit begets insolence, when prosperity…" description: "\"Surfeit begets insolence, when prosperity comes to a bad man.\" — Theognis of Megara" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ae/theognis-of-megara-27432_bad-man_surfeit-begets-insolence-when-prosperity_1525479.jpg" --- # Surfeit begets insolence, when prosperity comes to a bad… ![“Surfeit begets insolence, when prosperity comes to a bad man.” quote by Theognis of Megara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ae/theognis-of-megara-27432_bad-man_surfeit-begets-insolence-when-prosperity_1525479.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ae/theognis-of-megara-27432_bad-man_surfeit-begets-insolence-when-prosperity_1525479.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ae/theognis-of-megara-27432_bad-man_surfeit-begets-insolence-when-prosperity_1525479.jpg) > “Surfeit begets insolence, when prosperity comes to a bad man.” [Theognis of Megara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theognis-of-megara/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Wealth can corrupt moral character, leading to arrogance in the undeserving. **In simple terms:** Riches can make bad people arrogant. Key Takeaway Beware corrupting wealth. Themes ethics wealth hubris Mood cautionary thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - political leadership - financial success - public office - personal finance Key Concepts Moral decay social responsibility Questions to Reflect On - How does humility protect against hubris? - Can wealth be used responsibly? A Different Perspective Not all wealthy become arrogant. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Disrespect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disrespect/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Prosperity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prosperity/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) ## Related quotes > [Prosperity comes to those who observe the law of tithing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heber-j-grant/prosperity-comes-to-those-who-observe-the-law-of-tithing/) [Heber J. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heber-j-grant/) > [Put an underdog on top and it makes no difference whether his name is Russian, Jewish, Negro, Management, Labor, Mormon, or Baptist he goes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/put-an-underdog-on-top-and-it-makes-no-difference-whether-his-name-is/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Prosperity comes and goes to leave us miserable, And adversity, on the contrary, will leave us stronger, happier and confident.Therefore bad times are better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya/prosperity-comes-and-goes-to-leave-us-miserable-and-adversity-on-the/) [Divya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya/) > [Prosperity comes to life / then it is absolutely necessary / that shall come entirely happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/prosperity-comes-to-life-then-it-is-absolutely-necessary-that-shall/) Mak\_786 > [Prosperity comes from the private sector.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-scott/prosperity-comes-from-the-private-sector/) [Rick Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-scott/) > [“Prosperity only comes as a result of production”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/prosperity-only-comes-as-a-result-of-production/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [When prosperity comes, do not use all of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/when-prosperity-comes-do-not-use-all-of-it/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [In an overly materialistic world, prosperity is unfortunately and invariably associated with hoards of money and countless possessions. Yet to the truly prosperous people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-j-zelinski/in-an-overly-materialistic-world-prosperity-is-unfortunately-and/) [Ernie J Zelinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-j-zelinski/) > [Memorial Day reminds us that our freedom and prosperity comes at a cost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-tuberville/memorial-day-reminds-us-that-our-freedom-and-prosperity-comes-at-a/) [Tommy Tuberville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-tuberville/) > [Prosperity comes from leaving people free in a legal system that respects their persons and property so they can pursue their dreams while taking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stossel/prosperity-comes-from-leaving-people-free-in-a-legal-system-that/) [John Stossel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stossel/) > [Prosperity Comes When You Do the Right Things with Your Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-j-zelinski/prosperity-comes-when-you-do-the-right-things-with-your-life/) [Ernie J Zelinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-j-zelinski/) > [Perpetual prosperity comes to those who help others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-blanchard/perpetual-prosperity-comes-to-those-who-help-others/) [Ken Blanchard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-blanchard/) > [“...true success and prosperity comes when you are right where God wants you to be, doing what He wants you to do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-shankle/true-success-and-prosperity-comes-when-you-are-right-where-god-wants/) [Melanie Shankle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-shankle/) > [The insolence of base minds in success is boundless; and would scarce admit of a comparison, did not they themselves furnish us with one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-sterne/the-insolence-of-base-minds-in-success-is-boundless-and-would-scarce/) [Laurence Sterne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-sterne/) > [And, when night Darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-when-night-darkens-the-streets-then-wander-forth-the-sons-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) ## More by Theognis of Megara > [He who mistrusts most should be trusted least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theognis-of-megara/he-who-mistrusts-most-should-be-trusted-least/) [Theognis of Megara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theognis-of-megara/) > [Ram, ass, and horse, my Kyrnos, we look over With care, and seek good stock for good to cover; And yet the best men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theognis-of-megara/ram-ass-and-horse-my-kyrnos-we-look-over-with-care-and-seek-good/) [Theognis of Megara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theognis-of-megara/) > [One finds many companions for food and drink, but in a serious business a man's companions are very few.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theognis-of-megara/one-finds-many-companions-for-food-and-drink-but-in-a-serious/) [Theognis of Megara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theognis-of-megara/) > [Ploutos , no wonder mortals worship you: You are so tolerant of their sins !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theognis-of-megara/ploutos-no-wonder-mortals-worship-you-you-are-so-tolerant-of-their/) [Theognis of Megara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theognis-of-megara/) > [Adopt the character of the twisting octopus, which takes on the appearance of the nearby rock . Now follow in this direction, now turn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theognis-of-megara/adopt-the-character-of-the-twisting-octopus-which-takes-on-the/) [Theognis of Megara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theognis-of-megara/) > [Too many tongues have gates which fly apart Too easily, and care for many things That don't concern them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theognis-of-megara/too-many-tongues-have-gates-which-fly-apart-too-easily-and-care-for/) [Theognis of Megara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theognis-of-megara/) > [“Happy the lover who exercises, then Goes home to sleep all day with a handsome boy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theognis-of-megara/happy-the-lover-who-exercises-then-goes-home-to-sleep-all-day-with-a/) [Theognis of Megara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theognis-of-megara/) > [Bright youth passes swiftly as a thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theognis-of-megara/bright-youth-passes-swiftly-as-a-thought/) [Theognis of Megara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theognis-of-megara/) > [Not to be born at all would be the best thing for man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theognis-of-megara/not-to-be-born-at-all-would-be-the-best-thing-for-man/) [Theognis of Megara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theognis-of-megara/) > [The greatest treasure you can leave your children is a sense of modesty and the advice to follow virtuous persons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theognis-of-megara/the-greatest-treasure-you-can-leave-your-children-is-a-sense-of/) [Theognis of Megara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theognis-of-megara/) > [Even to a wicked man a divinity gives wealth, Cyrnus, but to few men comes the gift of excellence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theognis-of-megara/even-to-a-wicked-man-a-divinity-gives-wealth-cyrnus-but-to-few-men/) [Theognis of Megara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theognis-of-megara/) > [When we are dead; rugs are no richer than a quick-thorn bed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theognis-of-megara/when-we-are-dead-rugs-are-no-richer-than-a-quick-thorn-bed/) [Theognis of Megara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theognis-of-megara/) > [“Whatever fate ordains, danger or hurt, or death predetermined, nothing can avert.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theognis-of-megara/whatever-fate-ordains-danger-or-hurt-or-death-predetermined-nothing/) [Theognis of Megara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theognis-of-megara/) > [Boy, you're like a horse. Just now sated with seed, You've come back to my stable, Yearning for a good rider, fine meadow, An…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theognis-of-megara/boy-you-re-like-a-horse-just-now-sated-with-seed-you-ve-come-back-to/) [Theognis of Megara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theognis-of-megara/) > [Unless the gods deceive my mind , That man is forging fetters for himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theognis-of-megara/unless-the-gods-deceive-my-mind-that-man-is-forging-fetters-for/) [Theognis of Megara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theognis-of-megara/) [Explore all 20 Theognis of Megara quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theognis-of-megara/) ## More Bad man quotes > [I don't do plays without jokes anymore. I've retired from those plays. 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