By confronting us with irreducible mysteries that stretch our daily vision to include infinity, nature opens an inviting and guiding path toward a spiritual life.
Thomas MoreRead
They wonder much to hear that gold, which in itself is so useless a thing, should be everywhere so much esteemed, that even men for whom it was made, and by whom it has its value, should yet be thought of less value than it is.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the irony of how society values gold, a mere metal, more than the people who create and assign it value.
Thomas More's quote critiques the societal obsession with gold, highlighting the paradox that this precious metal, which holds no intrinsic worth, is more prized than the individuals who give it meaning. It invites us to consider the nature of value and the priorities of society, suggesting that people often overlook the true worth of human contributions in favor of material wealth.
Themes
ValueGoldSocietyPhilosophyMaterialism
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about consumerism, one might quote More to emphasize the misplaced values of society.
More from Thomas More
All quotes →Kindness and good nature unite men more effectually and with greater strength than any agreements whatsoever, since thereby the engagements of men's hearts become stronger than the bond and obligation of words.
Thomas MoreRead
If we lived in a state where virtue was profitable, common sense would make us saintly. But since we see that avarice, anger, pride and stupidity commonly profit far beyond charity, modesty, justice and thought, perhaps we must stand fast a little, even at the risk of being heroes.
Thomas MoreRead
The Utopians feel that slaughtering our fellow creatures gradually destroys the sense of compassion, which is the finest sentiment of which our human nature is capable.
Thomas MoreRead
For when they see the people swarm into the streets, and daily wet to the skin with rain, and yet cannot persuade them to go out of the rain, they do keep themselves within their houses, seeing they cannot remedy the folly of the people.
Thomas MoreRead
There are dreadful punishments enacted against thieves, but it were much better to make such good provisions by which every man might be put in a method how to live, and so be preserved from the fatal necessity of stealing and of dying for it.
Thomas MoreRead
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