Pride and Greed Kills the American Dream

3506 Words15 Pages
Greed and pride kills the American Dream Greed and pride are one of the most common characteristics in humans. These characteristics have been in humans for a very long time, which hinders the progress of the American Dream. Greed is defined as “an intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth power, or food” (oxford dictionaries, 2012).pride is defined as “a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, the achievements of one’s close associates, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired” (oxford dictionaries, 2012). The American dream is defined as “an American social ideal that stresses egalitarianism and especially material prosperity; also: the prosperity or life that is the realization of this ideal” (Merriam-Webster). It has gotten to the point where the American dream has become one of the most enticing dreams to accomplish, but Greed and pride tries to hinder its progress. Greed caused the downfall of many people. People who are greedy are not always in need, but in need of more. This is steadily killing the hopes of the American Dream. The Bible talks about greed and its implications. Habakkuk 2:5 says, “Indeed, wine betrays him; he is arrogant and never at rest. Because he is as greedy as the grave and like death is never satisfied, he gathers to himself all the nations and takes captive all the peoples” (KJV). This scripture shows what greed will make one become, if one does not manage his or her greedy desires. Greedy people never get satisfied, just as death is never satisfied. God does not want us to be as greedy as death he wants us to share amongst ourselves so everyone could live a happier life. For example, Lazarus and the rich man is a well-known story in the Bible that shows an excessive act of greed. Lazarus, a beggar is always coming to beg the

More about Pride and Greed Kills the American Dream

Open Document