James Hillman Quotes

But most Canadians have recognized to a greater or lesser extent that despite much of the so-called progress of the affluent society, essential ingredients to a meaningful life seem to be either entirely lacking, or at best, difficult to grasp.

Too many of us now tend to worship self-indulgence and consumption. Human identity is no longer defined by what one does, but by what one owns. But we’ve discovered that owning things and consuming things does not satisfy our longing for meaning.

People who get trapped in the tunnel vision of making money think that is all there is to life.

People are chasing cash, not happiness. When you chase money, you're going to lose. You're just going to. Even if you get the money, you're not going to be happy.

There's nothing wrong with being a capitalistic society, but it's taken the place of faith.

For many men, the acquisition of wealth does not end their troubles, it only changes them.

The modern era has brought up immense conveniences but at what price. The human heart is desperate for something more than a quicker serving of popcorn.

Too many people today know the price of everything and the value of nothing.

As we get rich, the basics of life - food, clothing and shelter - become a very small part of total expenditure. And people have enough money to purchase things that enhance them spiritually, and I mean the word 'spiritual' not necessarily in a religious sense but in the sense that it adds to your feeling of well-being.

Our societies have achieved a general level of prosperity of which most of all the human beings who have ever lived could only dream. Now we need to show that we can stop continually wanting more - more money, more stuff. We must show that it is possible for people to realise that they have enough.

The difficulty with big cities does not lie in skyscrapers or high-rises per se; rather, it is the values concealed within those buildings which lead to the loss of our humanity and our sense of spiritual emptiness.

It seems like a lot of people seek their peace in things. And most of us are not even satisfied with the things we have... we always want more.

Inordinate desire for material possessions can become an obsession that consumes our thoughts, drains our resources, and leads to unhappiness.

How many BMWs do you need? How many Rolex watches you gonna wear in your lifetime, for crying out loud? What is it about that kind of desire? I don't understand it.

What's the difference? Ninety million or 80 million. You still can't spend it all.

Our entire society is rooted around the idea of more, and longer has become the measure of success.

I didn't think about money or cars or anything like that.

I'm not interested in money.

Money isn't that important to me. My needs are primarily artistic. Mainly I'm interested in my own peace of mind, in knowing who I am and what I am.

Materialism isn't the panacea that so many people think it is.

I know people who are wealthy and they're miserable.

I don't want my life to be about a house and a car.

I don't want to do too many films because I don't aspire to buy huge cars or build bungalows.

He who recognizes no higher logic than that of the shilling may become a very rich man, and yet remain all the while an exceedingly poor creature; for riches are no proof whatever of moral worth, and their glitter often serves only to draw attention to the worthlessness of their possessor, as the glow-worm's light reveals the grub.

Living in a constant chase after gain compels people to expend their spirit to the point of exhaustion.