Though we take from a covetous man all his treasure, he has yet one jewel left; you cannot bereave him of his covetousness.
Interpretation
A person's greed remains even if their possessions are taken away.
This quote by John Milton suggests that material wealth can be taken from a greedy person, but their insatiable desire for more will always remain. It implies that covetousness is a deep-rooted trait that cannot be stripped away, highlighting the idea that true value lies not only in possessions but also in one's mindset and spirit.
In practice
During a seminar about personal values, this quote can illustrate the dangers of greed.
They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so late their happy seat, Waved over by that flaming brand, the gate With dreadful faces thronged and fiery arms: Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon; The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide; They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow, Through Eden took their solitary way.
The stars, that nature hung in heaven, and filled their lamps with everlasting oil, give due light to the misled and lonely traveller.
Ev'n them who kept thy truth so pure of old, When all our fathers worshipp'd stocks and stones.
Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness is and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely: and pined his loss
The end of all learning is to know God, and out of that knowledge to love and imitate Him.
Apt words have power to suage the tumors of a troubled mind.
Haie! Haie! These were the swift to harry; These the keen-scented; These were the souls of blood. Slow on the leash, pallid the leash-men!
Indeed, organizing atheists has been compared to herding cats, because they tend to think independently and will not conform to authority.
Heaven doesn't make this life less important; it makes it more important.
Trust only movement. Life happens at the level of events, not of words. Trust movement.
I do not believe that true optimism can come about except through tragedy.
Beginning with Santa Claus as a cognitive exercise, a child is encouraged to share the same idea of reality as his peers. Even if that reality is patently invented and ludicrous, belief is encouraged with gifts that support and promote the common cultural lies. The greatest consensus in modern society is our traffic systems. The way a flood of strangers can interact, sharing a path, almost all of them traveling without incident. It only takes one dissenting driver to create anarchy.
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