"The lust of avarice as so totally seized upon mankind that their wealth seems rather to possess them than they possess their wealth"

Pliny the Elder observed a powerful phenomenon in human nature: the overwhelming force of greed, or avarice, overtakes people to such an extent that wealth, instead of being a tool or possession, becomes the master. The desire for richness and material gain is portrayed not as a simple want, but as an all-consuming energy that can dictate the actions and thoughts of individuals. Rather than people using their resources to improve their lives or the lives of others, they become subordinate to the pursuit and maintenance of their fortune.

This reflection drives home the irony that those who accumulate great wealth often lose their autonomy. Their time, energy, and decisions become dominated by the need to acquire, maintain, and protect their assets. Material goods and riches are no longer objects for enjoyment or comfort but evolve into symbols of status that dictate behavior and bring anxiety over loss or inadequacy.

Pliny’s insight resonates through the ages, revealing a timeless struggle: the risk that wealth, intended to serve as a means for a better existence, turns into a tyrant. People become fixated on accumulation for its own sake, blurring the line between necessary provision and endless hoarding. The more one has, the more one fears losing it, resulting in lives led by the dictates of possessions, a phenomenon as prevalent in ancient Rome as it is in the modern world.

Such insight challenges individuals and societies to reevaluate their relationship with material value. When one allows possessions to define self-worth or happiness, the power dynamic reverses; wealth begins to own the person, driving desires, shaping decisions, and determining priorities. True ownership implies control and discretion, yet when avarice dominates, these ideals are surrendered. Through this observation, Pliny invites a contemplation of balance, urging a life where riches serve humanity rather than becoming its master.