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"La avaricia es un pozo sin fondo que agota a la persona en un esfuerzo interminable por satisfacer la necesidad sin llegar nunca a la satisfacción"

Erich Fromm
Erich Fromm Psychoanalyst
Translations
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Quote meaning
Greed is like an insatiable hunger. No matter how much you feed it, it's never content. If you’ve ever been caught up in trying to get more and more of something—be it money, success, or even approval—you probably know the feeling. It’s exhausting. You strive and strive, but there’s always that next level, that next thing you just have to have. And when you get it? The satisfaction is fleeting, if it even comes at all.

This idea has been around for ages. Think back to ancient stories and fables. They often caution against the dangers of greed. Take King Midas, for example. Everything he touched turned to gold. Sounds great, right? But he quickly realized he couldn't eat, drink, or even touch his loved ones without disastrous consequences. His greed became his curse.

Let’s bring it closer to home. Think about the modern corporate world. Imagine a successful entrepreneur who’s built a thriving business. She’s making more money than she ever dreamed of. But instead of enjoying her success, she’s constantly pushing for more—more clients, more income, more expansion. She works around the clock, neglecting her health and her family. Her kids barely see her. Her friends stop inviting her out because she always cancels last minute. Despite her achievements, she feels empty and worn out. That’s greed’s bottomless pit in action.

So, how do you avoid falling into this trap? One big piece of advice: set clear, meaningful goals. It’s not just about having goals, but making sure they’re aligned with your values and what genuinely makes you happy. If your goals are just about accumulating more—more money, more things, more accolades—you’re likely to end up feeling unfulfilled. Instead, focus on what brings real joy and satisfaction. Maybe it’s spending time with loved ones, pursuing a passion, or giving back to your community.

Here’s a little story to illustrate. Picture Jane, a graphic designer. She started her own studio because she loved creating art and wanted the freedom to work on her terms. At first, she took on any client she could find, working long hours to grow her business. But she soon found herself stressed and burnt out, chasing after bigger projects and higher revenue while neglecting her initial love for design.

One day, Jane decided to step back and reassess. She started saying no to projects that didn’t excite her. She carved out time for personal creative projects and set boundaries to ensure she spent quality time with her family and friends. She stopped measuring success purely by her income and instead focused on her wellbeing and happiness. Guess what? Jane didn’t just feel better; her work improved, her clients noticed, and her business grew in a way that felt sustainable and rewarding.

In a nutshell, don’t let yourself fall into the bottomless pit of greed. Check in with yourself regularly. Are you chasing after something just for the sake of having more? Or are you working towards goals that truly matter to you? Remember, it’s not about how much you have, but how much you enjoy what you have. That’s where real satisfaction lies.
Related tags
Consumption Greed Human nature Materialism Philosophy Psychology
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