A quotation from Nietzsche

Gradually we become tired of the old, of what we safely possess, and we stretch out our hands again. Even the most beautiful scenery is no longer assured of our love after we have lived in it for three months, and some more distant coast attracts our avarice: possessions are generally diminished by possession.

[Wir werden des Alten, sicher Besessenen allmählich überdrüssig und strecken die Hände wieder aus; selbst die schönste Landschaft, in der wir drei Monate leben, ist unserer Liebe nicht mehr gewiss, und irgend eine fernere Küste reizt unsere Habsucht an: der Besitz wird durch das Besitzen zumeist geringer.]

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) German philosopher and poet
The Gay Science [Die fröhliche Wissenschaft], Book 1, § 14 (1882) [tr. Kaufmann (1974)]

#quote #quotes #quotation #avarice #beauty #familiarity #possession #boredom #novelty #value #greed #desire #landscape #scenery
Sourcing / notes: https://wist.info/nietzsche-friedrich/72055/

The Gay Science [Die fröhliche Wissenschaft], Book 1, § 14 (1882) [tr. Kaufmann (1974)] - Nietzsche, Friedrich | WIST Quotations

Gradually we become tired of the old, of what we safely possess, and we stretch out our hands again. Even the most beautiful scenery is no longer assured of our love after we have lived in it for three months, and some more distant coast attracts...

A quotation from Basil of Caesarea

Who are the greedy? Those who are not satisfied with what suffices for their own needs. Who are the robbers? Those who take for themselves what rightfully belongs to everyone. And you, are you not greedy? Are you not a robber? The things you received in trust as a stewardship, have you not appropriated them for yourself? Is not the person who strips another of clothing called a thief? And those who do not clothe the naked when they have the power to do so, should they not be called the same? The bread you are holding back is for the hungry, the clothes you keep put away are for the naked, the shoes that are rotting away with disuse are for those who have none, the silver you keep buried in the earth is for the needy. You are thus guilty of injustice toward as many as you might have aided, and did not.

Basil of Caesarea (AD 330-378) Christian bishop, theologian, monasticist, Doctor of the Church [Saint Basil the Great, Ἅγιος Βασίλειος ὁ Μέγας]
“I Will Tear Down My Barns [καθελῶ μου τὰς ἀποθήκας],” Sermon # 6 [tr. Schroeder (2009)]

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"I Will Tear Down My Barns [καθελῶ μου τὰς ἀποθήκας]," Sermon # 6 [tr. Schroeder (2009)] - Basil of Caesarea | WIST Quotations

Who are the greedy? Those who are not satisfied with what suffices for their own needs. Who are the robbers? Those who take for themselves what rightfully belongs to everyone. And you, are you not greedy? Are you not a robber? The things you...

A quotation from Herbert, George

He is not poore that hath little, but he that desireth much.

George Herbert (1593-1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 309 (1640 ed.)

#quote #quotes #quotation #avarice #desire #greed #having #poor #poverty #satisfaction #want #contentment
Sourcing / notes: https://wist.info/herbert-george/70713/

Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 309 (1640 ed.) - Herbert, George | WIST Quotations

He is not poore that hath little, but he that desireth much.

A quotation by Harris, Sydney J.

Men may be divided almost any way we please, but I have found the most useful distinction to be made between those who devote their lives to conjugating the verb “to be” and those who spend their lives conjugating the verb “to have.”

Sydney J. Harris (1917-1986) Anglo-American columnist, journalist, author

For the Time Being, ch. 6, epigram (1972)

#quote #quotation #avarice #being #existence #greed #human-nature #humanity #ownership #possessions #self-awareness

More notes and sourcing on WIST: https://wist.info/harris-sydney-j/43346/

WIST - Harris, Sydney J. | For the Time Being, ch. 6, epigram (1972)

Men may be divided almost any way we please, but I have found the most useful distinction to be made between those who devote their lives to conjugating the verb "to be" and those who spend their lives conjugating the verb "to have."

A quotation by Roosevelt, Franklin Delano

We have always known that heedless self-interest was bad morals; we know now that it is bad economics.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945) US President (1933-1945)

Inaugural Address (20 Jan 1937)

#quote #quotation #avarice #economics #greed #morality #policy #power #prosperity #self-interest

More notes and sourcing on WIST: https://wist.info/roosevelt-franklin-delano/5373/

WIST - Roosevelt, Franklin Delano | Inaugural Address (20 Jan 1937)

We have always known that heedless self-interest was bad morals; we know now that it is bad economics.

A quotation by Sadat, Anwar

Most people seek after what they do not possess and thus are enslaved by the very things they want to acquire. They become prisoners of their desires even though they appear to be free.

Anwar el-Sadat (1918-1981) Egyptian soldier and statesman

In Search of Identity (1978)

#quote #quotation #acquisition #avarice #desire #materialism #possession

More notes and sourcing on WIST: https://wist.info/sadat-anwar/3406/

WIST - Sadat, Anwar | In Search of Identity (1978)

Most people seek after what they do not possess and thus are enslaved by the very things they want to acquire. They become prisoners of their desires even though they appear to be free.