Greed Leads to Grave –An Evil for Mankind

 



Introduction

“The love for money is that the root of all evil”, said timothy. This is for happiness is the state of the mind of a person which makes him feel content and satisfied.

This happiness is high in hermits and sages, who have renounced the world and its material comforts. On the other hand, it is very low for a greedy and insatiable person.

People cheat other people for money. They betray friends for money. Members of an equivalent family – sometimes parents and youngsters quarrel and sue one another in court over money.

Nature has bestowed everything in abundance, for all to enjoy. However some men because of greed, apportion land and wealth, far in excess of their requirement.

Thus in the words of horace, “the covetous man is always in want”. This un-quenching thirst and desire of amassing more and more, is the sole cause of his unhappiness.

Distinction between ambition and greed

In the age of competition, it's definitely not wrong to be ambitious. The great success stories in the field of science and technology, literature, economics and business, would not be possible, without the desire to excel.

Greed and ambition both ask the will to realize or gain things. However, there's a serious difference between greed and ambition. Greed is that the intense and selfish desire to realize money, power, or status. Ambition is that the desire and determination to realize success.

This is the most difference between greed and ambition. Greed is usually viewed as a negative concept whereas ambition is viewed as a desired or positive quality.

However, when the will becomes an obsession, it results in greed and ultimately to unhappiness. Such an individual can patronize any level to realize his goal.

This evil is manifest in the society in different forms, propelled by the get rich quick syndrome

This evil is manifest within the society today in several forms. People turn brides for the sake of dowry and siblings fight over property, besides this, there are numerous cases of fraud and embezzlements, reported almost daily in the newspapers.

All this is on account of the get rich quick syndrome, which is prevalent in the society. In a way the highly materialistic is responsible for such behavior.

Some people claim that greed isn't always bringing destruction, it also results in improvement. When people greed, that they had to strived all obstacle so as to their success.

They had to work hard than before. Especially, once they stuck, they create more innovation to unravel this problem. Furthermore, the greed people make fulfill strong feeling so as to measure within the new life and stop liar.

Greedy people may work harder to become successful, but greedy persons are much concerned about acquiring wealth and achieving success rather than the path they follow to achieve success. They don’t care how they achieve success they only want to become successful.

This can have effect on other people life. For example, there are businessman who traps innocent people and made them work more and pay less. There are lot of industrialist who have installed cheap chimneys that affects environment harmfully.

Moreover, greedy people are never satisfied they want even more and more. Greedy people are never internally satisfied by working hard that are achieving success and materialistic things, but it do no benefit to their inner satisfaction. For example, we have many successful people becoming depressed and leaving their job or business to go in rehabilitate.

Greedy and corrupt people rather than being shunned are glorified within the society, setting example for others to follow. Moral and family values that was an integral part of indian culture, has deteriorated. This has led to people viewing others as either competitors or adversaries.

All religions warn against the evil of avarice and its evil consequences

All religions warn against the evil of temptation and its evil consequences. They are replete with stories and teachings, of how greed is the root cause of all problems in life.

The gita says,” he who is satisfied with whatever gain involves him and equal in failure and success isn't bound even when he acts”. The best way to get rid of being greedy is to have control over one’s senses.

In the whole of the universe whatever is present, visible or invisible is prevalent with god. God is omnipresent and omnipotent. So with a sense of detachment do whatever good has been allotted to you and consume the fruit of your doings. And never be greedy for the possessions of anyone because the worldly belongings don't belong to any particular person.

Lord buddha asked his followers to renounce the worldly comfort, for attaining eternal happiness and nirvana. One has also heard of king midas whose proverbial greed for gold, led him to grief. His greed for gold transformed his daughter to a golden statue, which made him realize his grave stupidity.

Conclusions

It is the greed of acquiring possessions, wealth or power which make men unhappy. If only one is able to restrain greed, life would become highly satisfying and happy.

Greed can even fuel industrialization and civilization. Without greed our forefathers would haven't invented cruises, cars and airplanes which have made our lives much easier today.

However if propelled during a right direction greed can create wonders. For instance, greed can prove to be a driving force by scientists to do research & business persons to expand their business and contribute towards the betterment of the society.

This is however easier said than done, for man by nature is insatiable. It is due to this thomas fuller rightly said,” men have a touchstone whereby to undertake gold, but gold is that the touchstone whereby to undertake man”.

                                               

Written by - Adarsh Rai



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