The Consolation of Philosophy · Chapter
Song III: The Insatiableness of Avarice explained
This song critiques the insatiable nature of avarice, arguing that no matter how much wealth one accumulates—gold, pearls, oxen—it never brings satisfaction or peace.
What happens
This song critiques the insatiable nature of avarice, arguing that no matter how much wealth one accumulates—gold, pearls, oxen—it never brings satisfaction or peace. The covetous person remains tormented by care throughout life, and death ultimately separates them from all their riches.
Themes in this chapter
Vanity of Worldly Goods
The song directly illustrates the vanity of accumulating material wealth, as it neither satisfies nor accompanies one beyond death.
Key passages
“Though the covetous grown wealthy See his piles of gold rise high; Though he gather store of treasure That can never satisfy; ... Ne’er shall carking care forsake him While he draws this vital breath, And his riches go not with him, When his eyes are closed in death.”
Even if a greedy person amasses great wealth, they will never be content; anxiety will always plague them, and in death, they leave all their riches behind.
This passage encapsulates the theme of the vanity of worldly goods, emphasizing the futility of avarice.