30 Quotes on the Topic of ‘Greed’ from Hinduism and Related Sources
From the Hindu Scriptures
Bhagavad Gita (3:37): "It is desire and anger, born of the rajas (passionate nature), all-devouring and most sinful. Know this to be the enemy here."
Bhagavad Gita (16:12): "Bound by a hundred ties of hope, and given over to lust and anger, they strive to amass wealth by unlawful means for the gratification of their desires."
Bhagavad Gita (16:21): "There are three gates leading to the hell of self-destruction: lust, anger, and greed. Renounce these three."
Manu Smriti (4.16): "Greed destroys all the virtues; through excessive greed, even the most learned man falls into ignorance."
Rig Veda (10.117.6): "He who gives away only what is left after greed will never attain heaven."
Mahabharata (Shanti Parva 167.23): "There is no enemy greater than greed, no disease worse than hunger, and no greater virtue than charity."
Mahabharata (Vana Parva 31.2): "Greed is a great destroyer of wealth. It leads to destruction by inciting desire for more, even when one has enough."
Srimad Bhagavatam (11.5.8): "Greed increases with indulgence, like the fire that grows when fed with clarified butter."
Srimad Bhagavatam (3.31.40): "Blinded by greed and pride, a man disregards his relatives and friends, seeking only his own gain."
Chandogya Upanishad (8.1.5): "Man is verily desire-formed, as is his desire so is his will. What he wills, he does, and what he does, he becomes."
From Hindu Gurus and Saints
Swami Vivekananda: "Greed can never be satisfied. The more one gets, the more one wants. The only cure for greed is renunciation."
Ramana Maharshi: "Greed makes one a slave of desires, and desires are endless. True wealth lies in contentment and simplicity."
Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa: "A person driven by greed will never find peace. Their mind will always crave more, and in that craving, they lose their inner spiritual wealth."
Mahatma Gandhi: "The world has enough for everyone’s needs, but not enough for everyone’s greed."
Swami Sivananda: "Greed is a bond that binds man to the material world. Break this bond through contentment and spiritual practice."
Adi Shankaracharya: "Like a mirage in the desert, wealth and greed deceive the foolish. Only the wise can see through this illusion."
Paramahansa Yogananda: "When you are free from greed, you understand that true wealth lies in the contentment of the soul, not in material riches."
Neem Karoli Baba: "Greed is a fire that never satisfies. To conquer it is to embrace divine love, which brings true satisfaction."
Swami Dayananda Saraswati: "One who is governed by greed is never fulfilled, and will never know the joy of selflessness."
Sri Aurobindo: "Greed is the tamas (ignorance) of the soul. To rise above it, one must find light within and seek the divine purpose."
From Hindu Stories and Wisdom Literature
Story of King Harishchandra (Mahabharata): "Greed blinds one’s sense of duty. King Harishchandra, though tested by extreme trials, never let greed or dishonesty overtake him."
Story of Bali Maharaj (Vamana Avatar): "The demon king Bali, although powerful, was devoid of greed. He willingly gave away all his possessions, including his kingdom, to the divine dwarf Vamana."
Story of Duryodhana (Mahabharata): "Duryodhana’s downfall was due to his unquenchable greed for power. Despite ample opportunities to make peace, his lust for the throne led to his ultimate destruction."
Story of Ravana (Ramayana): "Ravana, consumed by greed and desire for power, abducted Sita, leading to his inevitable ruin. Greed blinds the mind, and Ravana’s greed led him to his destruction."
Story of Dhritarashtra (Mahabharata): "Blinded by greed for his sons’ power, Dhritarashtra lost the ability to see right from wrong, which led to the war of Kurukshetra."
General Sayings and Proverbs from Hinduism
"He who is free from greed has found peace and liberation."
"The greedy person is like a dog chasing its own tail—never realizing the futility of their pursuit."
"Greed is the path to darkness. It corrupts the mind and binds the soul."
"The contented man is richer than a king, while the greedy man is poorer than the poorest beggar."
"In the pursuit of more, one forgets what one already has. Greed makes a man lose his vision of gratitude."
These quotes from various Hindu sources emphasize that greed leads to suffering, loss of wisdom, and destruction, while contentment and detachment bring peace and spiritual fulfillment.