Francis Bacon: Covetous Man & Wealth
on Thursday, July 8, 2010Francis Bacon Money Quotation tells us that those who covet money are possessed by it rather than possessing real wealth.
“The covetous man cannot so properly be said to possess wealth, as that may be said to possess him” — Francis Bacon
In this quote, Francis Bacon is saying that a covetous or greedy person is not truly in possession of their wealth – rather, their wealth and desire for more money possesses or controls them.
Bacon appears to be arguing that someone who is excessively or unhealthily focused on accumulating riches allows their wealth to dominate their thoughts and actions, rather than maintaining control over their own finances and priorities.
The best interpretation is that Bacon is criticizing those whose lives revolve around amassing money and material goods, as in this state the wealth has power over the individual rather than the other way around.
He suggests true possession of wealth involves using it wisely rather than being possessed by endless cravings for more.
Birthday January 22, 1561 – April 9, 1626