Sophocles on Destructive Currency
on Monday, December 29, 2014Sophocles Money Quotation saying the drive for more dollars will grind the best of us into the dust. Sophocles said:
“Money is the worst currency that ever grew among mankind. This sacks cities, this drives men from their homes, this teaches and corrupts the worthiest minds to turn base deeds” — Sophocles
In this quote, Sophocles is very critically assessing the influence of money. He suggests that money has the power to destroy communities by driving people from their homes, and to corrupt even virtuous people by incentivizing immoral or harmful actions for financial gain.
Sophocles sees money as having a negative effect on human behavior and societies. The quote portrays money as the worst kind of currency because of its ability to override moral and ethical considerations in favor of profit and self-interest.
Overall, Sophocles appears to be warning about the dangers of prioritizing money over more important human values like compassion, justice and community well-being.
Birthday: 497/496 BC – Death: 406/405 BC