Never promise more than you can perform.
Publilius SyrusRead
Poverty wants much; but avarice, everything.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Poverty signifies a lack of essential needs, while avarice reflects an insatiable desire for wealth and possessions.
This quote by Publilius Syrus highlights the difference between the state of being in poverty, which involves struggling to meet basic needs, and avarice, which represents an extreme greed for wealth and material goods. It suggests that while poverty is a result of lack, avarice is an endless craving that seeks to acquire more than one could ever need.
Themes
PovertyAvariceWealthDesireGreed
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about economic inequality, one might use this quote to illustrate the difference between need and greed.
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What a tragedy is help where it harms what it supports!
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The miser is as much in want of what he has as of what he has not.
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