"Pride, avarice, and envy are in every home"
- Thornton Wilder
About this Quote
Thornton Wilder's quote, "Pride, avarice, and envy remain in every home," presents a poignant observation about humanity and the universal existence of specific vices within familial and domestic areas. This statement suggests that no home is genuinely exempt from these prevalent defects, which have been part of the human condition throughout history.
"Pride" describes an extreme sense of self-worth or supremacy, often leading people to put themselves above others or to decline aid when it is needed. Within the context of a home, pride can manifest in different methods, such as an unwillingness to confess mistakes, a desire to control or dominate family characteristics, or a failure to acknowledge and celebrate the successes of others. Such pride can produce barriers to interaction and understanding, reproducing bitterness and seclusion even amongst enjoyed ones.
"Avarice," or greed, represents an insatiable desire for wealth and material belongings. In lots of homes, the pursuit of monetary success and product accumulation becomes a dominant focus. This desire can overshadow other values, such as kindness, cooperation, and empathy. Avarice within a household can cause conflicts over resources, produce tension about financial concerns, and add to a sense of discontentment and perpetual requirement, no matter actual wealth or convenience.
"Envy," the 3rd vice pointed out, is the feeling of discontent or covetousness towards someone else's qualities, status, capabilities, or rewards. In a household setting, envy might occur in between brother or sisters competing for attention, resources, or love, or in between partners taken part in contrasts associated with career success or social status. Such envy can wear down relationships, cultivating feelings of insufficiency and competition instead of fostering support and love.
Wilder's quote works as a suggestion of the fundamental flaws in human nature and the obstacles dealt with within the microcosm of the home. By acknowledging the existence of these vices, individuals and families can cultivate awareness and aim towards higher understanding, interaction, and empathy, counteracting the isolating and damaging tendencies of pride, avarice, and envy. This reflection welcomes us to analyze our own homes and hearts, encouraging us to cultivate virtues that can transform our social relationships and domestic environments.
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