--PHAEDRUS.
Covetousness, which is idolatry.--COLOSSIANS 3:5.
There is not a vice which more effectually contracts and deadens the
feelings, which more completely makes a man's affections centre in
himself, and excludes all others from partaking in them, than the
desire of accumulating possessions. When the desire has once gotten
hold on the heart, it shuts out all other considerations, but such as
may promote its views. In its zeal for the attainment of its end, it
is not delicate in the choice of means. As it closes the heart, so
also it clouds the understanding. It cannot discern between right and
wrong; it takes evil for good, and good for evil; it calls darkness
light, and light darkness. Beware, then, of the beginning of
covetousness, for you know not where it will end.--BISHOP MANT.
The covetous person lives as if the world were made altogether for
him, and not he for the world; to take in everything, and part with
nothing.--SOUTH.
Covetous men are fools, miserable wretches, buzzards, madmen, who live
by themselves, in perpetual slavery, fear, suspicion, sorrow,
discontent, with more of gall than honey in their enjoyments; who are
rather possessed by their money than possessors of it.--BURTON.
Why are we so blind? That which we improve, we have, that which we
hoard is not for ourselves.--MADAME DELUZY.
If money be not thy servant, it will be thy master. The covetous man
cannot so properly be said to possess wealth, as that it may be said
to possess him.
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