avarice quotes

The Europeans have scarcely visited any coast, but to gratify avarice, and extend corruption; to arrogate dominion without right, and practice cruelty without incentive† But there isreason to hope†that the light of the gospel will at last illuminate the sands of Africa, and the deserts of America, though its progress cannot but be slow when it is so much obstructed by the lives of Christians.

- Samuel known as Dr Johnson Johnson
  Introduction to The World Displayed.

Gratitude looks to the past and love to the present: fear, avarice, lust and ambition look ahead.

- C(live) S(taples) Lewis
  The Screwtape Letters, no.15.

The root of Evil, Avarice That damn'd ill-natur'd, baneful Vice, Was Slave to Prodigality, That noble Sin; whilst Luxury Employed a Million of the Poor, And odious Pride a Million more; Envy itself, and Vanity, Were Ministers of Industry; Their darling Folly, Fickleness, In Diet, Furniture and Dress That strange ridic'lous Vice, was made That very Wheel that turned theTrade.

- Bernard Mandeville
  The Fable of the Bees, or, Private Vices, Publick Benefits (2nd edn.).

Il en est de la luxure comme de l'avarice: elle augmente sa soif par l'acquisition des tre  sors. The same rule applies for lust, as for avarice: it increases its thirst by the acquisition of wealth.

-Bre'  de et de
  De l'esprit des lois, vol.16, ch.6.