Avarice and Happiness never saw each other, how then should they become acquainted?

What did Benjamin Franklin mean by:

Avarice and Happiness never saw each other, how then should they become acquainted?

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This quote is essentially saying that greed and happiness never coexist, hence they are not familiar with each other. The term ‘avarice’ refers to an extreme greed for wealth or material gain, while ‘happiness’ is a state of well-being and contentment. According to the quote, these two concepts are mutually exclusive – one cannot be both extremely greedy and truly happy at the same time.

The idea behind the quote is that the pursuit of wealth or material possessions, when it becomes an obsession, can often lead to unhappiness. This is because avarice can lead to a constant desire for more, a never-ending cycle of wanting that can never be satisfied. On the other hand, happiness is often found in contentment, in appreciating what one has, and in non-material aspects of life such as relationships, experiences, and personal growth.

Applying this idea to today’s world, we live in a society that often equates success and happiness with wealth and material possessions. We are constantly bombarded with messages telling us to buy more, to have more. However, according to this quote, this pursuit of more can lead to unhappiness. This is not to say that wealth or material possessions are bad, but rather that they should not be the sole focus of our lives or the sole measure of our success or happiness.

In terms of personal development, this quote suggests that we should focus more on non-material aspects of life. This could mean focusing on building strong relationships, gaining new experiences, or pursuing personal growth and learning. It also suggests that we should learn to be content with what we have, rather than constantly striving for more. This does not mean that we should not have ambitions or goals, but rather that these should not be solely focused on wealth or material gain.

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