“Poverty wants some, luxury many, and avarice all things.”
- c. 4 BC – AD 65
- Roman
- Philosopher, Statesman, Dramatist, Stoic Thinker, Advisor to Emperor Nero
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Quote
“Poverty wants some, luxury many, and avarice all things.”
Explanation
The poorer a person’s condition, the fewer their desires—but the richer they become, the more insatiable their wants. Seneca the Younger draws a sharp contrast between poverty, which demands only necessities; luxury, which multiplies desires; and avarice, or greed, which knows no bounds. The quote critiques the human tendency to let material abundance fuel endless craving.
This reflects a core Stoic belief that true contentment lies in limiting desires, not in accumulating possessions. For Seneca, poverty was not the worst state—it could even be virtuous if it cultivated simplicity. Luxury, by contrast, fosters dependency on pleasure, and avarice enslaves the soul entirely. Greed transforms abundance into misery because it forever seeks more, never finding satisfaction.
In modern life, this principle remains relevant in consumer culture, where the pursuit of more often leads to dissatisfaction. Minimalist movements and financial philosophies like “enoughism” echo Seneca’s insight: happiness comes not from having everything, but from wanting less. By recognizing the trap of escalating desire, we reclaim freedom and peace.
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