“Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy
the need without ever reaching satisfaction.”—Erich Fromm
***
A businessman passed by two travelers. The lawyer exhibited greed, while the doctor displayed jealousy. Upon reaching a fork in the road, the merchant expressed his desire to present them with a farewell gift. He declared that the first to make a wish would have it granted, but the other individual would receive double what the first had requested.
Both men hesitated, waiting for the other to make the first wish. Eventually, the lawyer seized the doctor by the throat and threatened to choke him unless he voiced his desire. Reluctantly, the doctor replied, “Very well, I wish to be blind in one eye.”
Instantly, the doctor lost sight in one eye, while the lawyer became blind in both.
Today’s column is not about the doctor, who lost one eye, but the action of the greedy lawyer. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines greed as “a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (such as money or material things) than is needed.”
All of us possess an inherent tendency towards greed. Based on the definition above, you exhibit greed when there exists a profound yearning for something, pursued relentlessly for personal gain. While experiencing greed is a common human trait, it is essential to maintain ethical boundaries and refrain from causing harm to others in the pursuit of your desires.
Films and literary works that explore greed as a central theme or character trait include notable titles such as The Wolf of Wall Street, The Godfather, Citizen Kane, The Great Gatsby, Macbeth, and The Lord of the Rings.
“Greed is not a financial issue. It’s a heart issue,” commented Andy Stanley “Where do the evils like corruption arise from? It comes from the never-ending greed,” said A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. Julian Casablancas also said, “Greed is the inventor of injustice as well as the current enforcer.”
The Holy Bible is full of verses highlighting greed. Perhaps, one of the most quoted one is found in the book of Mark “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (8:36).
One of the most notorious instances of avarice in the Bible is the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot. Lured by the prospect of personal enrichment, Judas accepted thirty pieces of silver—money stained with blood that would ultimately result in his eternal damnation.
Also in the New Testament, a wealthy young ruler approaches Jesus with the question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” When Jesus instructs him to sell all his possessions and follow Him, the young man finds himself unable to relinquish his material wealth.
The narrative of Ananias and Sapphira in the early church serves as a stark illustration of greed concealed by dishonesty. They sold a piece of property, withheld a portion of the proceeds, and presented the remaining amount as if it were the entirety of their offering.
From history, we got a list from Interesting Facts of 14 people who were considered as “greediest.” Two of them were Genghis Khan and Ivan the Terrible.
Genghis Khan’s relentless ambition for territory and authority positioned him as one of history’s most formidable leaders. As the architect of the Mongol Empire, he forged a realm that spanned across Asia and Europe, driven by an unyielding desire to conquer all that lay before him. His military campaigns led to the demise of millions and the obliteration of entire cities, all in pursuit of expanding his dominion and personal influence.
Ivan the Terrible acquired his notorious title through his relentless ambition and a reign characterized by paranoia and an insatiable quest for absolute authority. As the inaugural Tsar of Russia, Ivan’s aspiration to enlarge his empire resulted in savage military campaigns against both his own citizens and neighboring regions.
His insatiable greed for control compelled him to create a secret police force known as the Oprichnina, which instilled fear among the populace and quelled any dissent against his governance. Ivan’s pursuit of power reached a tragic peak with his infamous unpredictable actions, including the murder of his own son.
To end today’s column, allow me to share another anecdote which again happened in Russia. Vladimir fell heir to his father’s small farm. He wanted more land. Once, a stranger came by, apparently a man of means and power, and offered to give him all the land he could walk around in one day, on condition that he would be back at the spot from which he started by sundown.
Early the next morning, Vladimir set out, without eating any breakfast or greeting anyone. His first plan was to cover six square miles. When he finished the first, he decided to make it nine, then twelve and finally fifteen. That means he would have to walk 60 miles before sundown.
By noon, he had covered only thirty miles. He did not stop for food or drink. About 200 yards from the finish line, he saw the sun dropping toward the horizon. Only a few minutes left. He gathered all his energies for that one last effort. He staggered across the line, just in time.
Then he reached for his heart and fell down in a heap – dead. All the land he got was a piece of six feet by two. He died of greed.
Albert Einstein once said: “Three great forces rule the world: stupidity, fear, and greed.”
