Buddhism Quote by Yuval Noah Harari
““The capitalist and consumerist ethics are two sides of the same coin, a merger of two commandments. The supreme commandment of the rich is ‘Invest!’ The supreme commandment of the rest of us is ‘Buy!’ The capitalist–consumerist ethic is revolutionary in another respect. Most previous ethical systems presented people with a pretty tough deal. They were promised paradise, but only if they cultivated compassion and tolerance, overcame craving and anger, and restrained their selfish interests. This was too tough for most. The history of ethics is a sad tale of wonderful ideals that nobody can live up to. Most Christians did not imitate Christ, most Buddhists failed to follow Buddha, and most Confucians would have caused Confucius a temper tantrum. In contrast, most people today successfully live up to the capitalist–consumerist ideal. The new ethic promises paradise on condition that the rich remain greedy and spend their time making more money and that the masses give free reign to their cravings and passions and buy more and more. This is the first religion in history whose followers actually do what they are asked to do. How though do we know that we'll really get paradise in return? We've seen it on television.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, Yuval Noah Harari, 2015
The quote critiques modern capitalist‑consumerist morality, contrasting it with traditional ethical systems that demand self‑discipline, and argues that the current system easily co‑opts people by promising material reward while keeping the wealthy greedy.
In simple terms: Capitalist consumerism offers easy rewards but demands endless buying and wealth accumulation.
Key Takeaway
Question the true cost of endless consumption.
Themes
ethics
consumerism
capitalism
religion
modernity
Mood
critical
skeptical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- Personal finance decisions
- political activism
- media literacy
- education curricula
Key Concepts
Moral philosophy
economic incentives
social control
Questions to Reflect On
- What would a society look like without constant consumption?
- How can we balance personal desire with collective well‑being?
A Different Perspective
It overlooks environmental limits and social inequality.
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