greed

Everyday

1. Greed is wanting much more of something, such as money, food or power, than you need or than is fair. tree →
2. (church) Greed (also called avarice) is one of the seven deadly sins in Christian teaching. tree →

In the lessons

In ethics, stories and fables greed often leads to trouble: King Midas wanted everything to turn to gold, and the dog with the bone lost it by being greedy. In everyday life greed means not sharing, taking more than your share. Phrases: «out of greed», «pure greed», «greed for money», «greed is good» (a famous line meant to be shocking).

Examples

• The king's greed made him unhappy in the end. tree →
• He ate all the sweets out of greed. tree →
• Greed for gold made the pirates fight each other. tree →
• Sharing is the opposite of greed. tree →
• Christians count greed as one of the seven deadly sins. tree →
• The fable shows how greed can make you lose everything. tree →
• Some people cut down forests out of greed for money. tree →
• The sight of the money roused all the merchant's greed. tree →

Note

Uncountable: no plural. Adjective: greedy; adverb: greedily. Related: greedy guts (UK informal, a person who eats too much). Wanting things is normal; greed is wanting too much and not caring about others.

In Jewish tradition

An overwhelming wish to have more than one needs.

Interpretation. Tradition counts greed as a destructive trait. Job's friends say the greedy man cannot keep what he takes, and the psalm prays for protection from the greed of enemies.

Examples

• Because he knew no quietness within him, in his greed he suffered nought to escape, (Writings JOB.20.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• The LORD preserve him, and keep him alive, let him be called happy in the land; and deliver not Thou him unto the greed of his enemies. (Writings PSA.41.3, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable: no plural. Adjective: greedy; adverb: greedily. Related: greedy guts (UK informal, a person who eats too much). Wanting things is normal; greed is wanting too much and not caring about others.