Voltaire Quotes

Man's greed to obtain something for nothing has never yet been able to content itself with a moderate profit.

Most men have always wanted as much as they could get; and possession has always blunted the fine edge of their altruism.

The miser is as much in want of what he has as of what he has not.

Avarice, the sphincter of the heart.

But men are so full of greed today, they'll sell anything for a little piece of money.

From the first day to this, sheer greed was the driving spirit of civilization.

Because men believe not in Providence, therefore they do so greedily scrape and hoard. They do not believe in any reward for charity, therefore they will part with nothing.

The selfish spirit of commerce which knows no country, and feels no passion or principle but that of gain.

Greed is good.

.... the forces of greed

There is a number among us, young and old, of all sorts almost among us, that swarm up and down towns, and woods, and fields, whose care and work hitherto hath been like bees, only to get honey to their own hive.

Man hoards himself when he has nothing to give away.

This has resulted in more and more people becoming inner-directed and having as their only goal, getting as much as they can get out of the system and putting as little into it as possible.

When money comes into play then that's all it's about wanting money, who's making the most who can get the most, me, me me... and in the end it screws up the person and the sport.

Though we take from a covetous man all his treasure, he has yet one jewel left; you cannot bereave him of his covetousness.

Those whose life is long still strive for gain, and for all mortals all things take second place to money.

A man that hoards up riches and enjoys them not, is like an ass that carries gold and eats thistles.

There is always greed. There is nothing wrong with greed.

No man profiteth but by the loss of others.

Greed, greed, greed. That’s the fundamental problem of mankind. If we can solve that problem, the rest of man’s problems would follow. The only thing that can undermine our free society is greed.

… an avalanche of avarice

For the purpose of acquiring gain, everything else is pushed aside or thrown overboard, for example, as is philosophy by the professors of philosophy.

… a creed of greed

Sir, I here enter my solemn protest against a low and calculating avarice entering this hall of legislation. It is only fit for shops and counting houses.

There is something about prosperity that brings out the worst in some people.