In any country where talent and virtue produce no advancement, money will be the national god. Its inhabitants will either have to possess money or make others believe that they do. Wealth will be the highest virtue, poverty the greatest vice. Those who have money will display it in every imaginable way. If their ostentation does not exceed their fortune, all will be well. But if their ostentation does exceed their fortune they will ruin themselves. In such a country, the greatest fortunes will vanish in the twinkling of an eye. Those who don't have money will ruin themselves with vain efforts to conceal their poverty. That is one kind of affluence: the outward sign of wealth for a small number, the mask of poverty for the majority, and a source of corruption for all.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- In countries where virtue doesn't lead to success, money becomes the only measure of worth, causing corruption and ruin.
- In plain terms
- When money matters more than virtue, society corrupts and people ruin themselves.
- What can you take from it?
- Prioritize virtue over wealth to avoid societal corruption.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does money corrupt society?
- How do you value success?
Another view
Wealth is not always the only path to advancement.
More from Denis Diderot
The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers.
Permalink to quote #68 Morals are in all countries the result of legislation and government; they are not African or Asian or European: they are good or bad.
Permalink to quote #70 Patriotism is an ephemeral motive that scarcely ever outlasts the particular threat to society that aroused it.
Permalink to quote #71
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