Literary notes about greed (AI summary)
In literature, the term greed frequently appears as a potent vice that both drives characters to destructive actions and symbolizes the moral decay inherent in the pursuit of wealth and power. It is portrayed as a force that corrupts individuals—prompting them to transgress ethical boundaries, engage in criminal behavior, or even compromise their very nature [1][2][3]. Authors also use greed in an abstract sense to comment on society’s broader decay, where the relentless desire for gain, whether material or symbolic, undermines relationships and destabilizes communities [4][5]. This multifaceted depiction, from driving personal downfall to fueling systemic corruption, makes greed a central theme in exploring human imperfection and the cost of ambition [6][7].
- M. d’O—— was decidedly an honest man; but although he was rich, he was by no means devoid of the greed incident to his profession.
— from The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova - Sabot felt ill at ease in there, as though he were in the house of his greatest enemy, but the greed of gain was gnawing at his heart.
— from Complete Original Short Stories of Guy De Maupassant by Guy de Maupassant - His greed urged him to crime, and he instigated Madame Cibot in her theft at the Pons house.
— from Repertory of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A — Z by Cerfberr and Christophe - Trading upon [Pg 10] the greed and fear of man, it occupies more and more space in society, and at last becomes its ruling force.
— from Nationalism by Rabindranath Tagore - In these the characters were allegorical personages,--Life, Death, Repentance, Goodness, Love, Greed, and other virtues and vices.
— from English Literature by William J. Long - And if he be prudent, the greed for more Will that respectable virtue dash.
— from The Fables of La Fontaine by Jean de La Fontaine - 271 —> <— separate greed, acquisitiveness => 817a from parsimony, frugality —> #819.
— from Roget's Thesaurus by Peter Mark Roget
