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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