“Pride, envy, avarice — these are the sparks have set on fire the hearts of all men.”
- c. 1265 – September 14, 1321
- Italian
- Poet, Writer, Philosopher, Author of The Divine Comedy
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Quote
“Pride, envy, avarice — these are the sparks have set on fire the hearts of all men.”
Explanation
This quote is drawn from Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, specifically Inferno, Canto VI, where the character Virgil speaks to Dante about the moral decay of humanity. The original Italian reads: “Superbia, invidia e avarizia sono / le tre faville c’hanno i cuori accesi.” It translates directly as: “Pride, envy, and avarice are the three sparks that have set hearts on fire.” These are presented as the fundamental vices that fuel most human wrongdoing.
Dante identifies these three sins—pride, envy, and greed—as the roots of all moral and social corruption. In medieval Christian theology, they are linked to the seven deadly sins and considered foundational causes of spiritual ruin. Pride leads individuals to elevate themselves above others and even above God. Envy poisons relationships, and avarice distorts human values through obsession with wealth and power. These vices are not only personal failings but systemic forces that, in Dante’s time, explained the violence, betrayal, and injustice plaguing Italian city-states.
In today’s world, this triad remains remarkably relevant. Whether in corporate greed, political power struggles, or social resentment, these “sparks” continue to inflame societies. Dante’s insight endures as a warning: if left unchecked, such vices erode both individual integrity and collective harmony. He urges readers to seek moral vigilance, to resist these impulses, and to instead ignite the heart with justice, humility, and love.
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