Sorrows come to stretch out places in the heart for joy.
Edwin MarkhamRead
Greed and Gain, grim guardians of the great god Mammon, continually cry in the ears of the poor, 'Give us your little ones!' And forever do the poor push out their little ones at the imperious ukase, feeding the children to a blind Hunger that is never filled.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote conveys the destructive nature of greed, which demands the sacrifices of the vulnerable for endless desire.
Edwin Markham's quote reflects on the pernicious influence of greed and its insatiable appetite. He illustrates how the poor are compelled to sacrifice their children to the relentless demands of greed, personified as the god Mammon, highlighting the tragic consequences of prioritizing wealth over human life. Through this imagery, Markham criticizes a societal structure that pushes the disadvantaged to surrender their future for mere survival.
Themes
GreedPovertySacrificeHungerSociety
In practice
Example use cases
This quote serves as a powerful reminder in discussions about economic inequality.
More from Edwin Markham
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For all your days be prepared, and meet them ever alike. When you are the anvil, bear - when you are the hammer, strike.
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