Quote by Percy Bysshe Shelley
Commerce has set the mark of selfishness, the signet of its all-enslaving power, upon a shining ore, and called it gold: before whose image bow the vulgar great, the vainly rich, the miserable proud, the mob of peasants, nobles, priests, and kings, and with blind feelings reverence the power that grinds them to the dust of misery.
Summary
This quote criticizes the negative impact of commerce on society by highlighting its ability to turn people into slaves of wealth and power. The reference to gold symbolizes material wealth, which has become a status symbol for those in pursuit of worldly success and social standing. The quote suggests that people, regardless of their social status, are blindly worshipping the power and influence that commerce holds over them, leaving them oppressed and miserable. It challenges the notion that success and material gain through commerce equate to genuine happiness and fulfillment.
Topics
Economics
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