If I could only remember that the days were not bricks to be laid row on row, to be built into a solid house, where one might dwell in safety and peace, but only food for the fires of the heart.
Edmund WilsonRead
An anxious unrest, a fierce craving desire for gain has taken possession of the commercial world, and in instances no longer rare the most precious and permanent goods of human life have been madly sacrificed in the interests of momentary enrichment.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the negative impact of greed on human life and values.
Felix Adler critiques the commercial world, noting how an anxious and insatiable desire for material gain often leads to the sacrifice of what is truly valuable in life. This observation serves as a warning against prioritizing short-term wealth over enduring human experiences and relationships, suggesting that the relentless pursuit of profit can erode the foundations of meaningful existence.
Themes
GreedMaterialismValuesLifeWealth
In practice
Example use cases
During a business ethics seminar, this quote could illustrate the dangers of greed.
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