Great desire causes endless poverty.
Great desire causes endless poverty.
Meaning in plain English
Great desire described as producing endless poverty uses poverty as an image of never having enough. The saying questions continually expanding wants.
Example
Someone asks whether another purchase meets a real need or continues an unending search for more.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
A responsible interpretation does not redefine material deprivation as a bad attitude. A useful reading distinguishes unmet necessities from acquisitiveness that remains unsatisfied despite resources. Desire can also motivate worthwhile action, so wanting itself is not the problem in every situation.
When to use it
Use it to discuss sufficiency without blaming material hardship.
Keep in mind
No cure for poverty through attitude or condemnation of every desire is established.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Country attributed by the collection
India · source-attributed; earliest origin unverified
- Source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference
Supplied reference B; unit 358; PDF page 36; collection label: India
Reuse and collection notes ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · supplied collection
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
- Contributor-confirmed reuse permission
Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
Provenance and licences ↗