Both Uses of
avarice
in
Common Sense, by Thomas Paine
- OF MONARCHY AND HEREDITARY SUCCESSION Mankind being originally equals in the order of creation, the equality could only be destroyed by some subsequent circumstance; the distinctions of rich, and poor, may in a great measure be accounted for, and that without having recourse to the harsh, ill-sounding names of oppression and avarice.†
Chpt 2.avarice = excessive desire for wealth
- Oppression is often the CONSEQUENCE, but seldom or never the MEANS of riches; and though avarice will preserve a man from being necessitously poor, it generally makes him too timorous to be wealthy.†
Chpt 2. *
Definition:
excessive desire for wealth
Like "greed", but implies greed specifically for money. The early Christian Church counted avarice as one of the "seven deadly sins."