Meaning of Proverb & Background

This proverb imparts a simple yet profound lesson: greed knows no limits, and those who are consumed by it will always desire more, regardless of how much they already possess.

Imagine someone with a big bowl of their favourite treat. If they keep taking more and more without enjoying what they have, they’ll never be satisfied. Similarly, greedy individuals constantly seek to accumulate wealth or possessions, even when they can’t fully appreciate or use what they already have.

Consider a river that never stops flowing. Greed is like that endless river, always seeking to overflow its banks. It’s a reminder that unchecked desires can lead to a never-ending quest for more.

Think of a child with a pile of toys. If they keep collecting toys without playing with any of them, they miss out on the joy of each individual toy. Greed operates in a similar way, preventing people from savouring the richness of what they already possess.

Picture a hungry person who keeps piling food on their plate without eating. Greed is like that insatiable appetite, always wanting more but never truly satisfying the hunger.

So, remember, just as a bottomless bowl, an endless river, a neglected pile of toys, or an overflowing plate, greed leads to a cycle of constantly wanting more, often at the expense of appreciating and enjoying what you already have. It serves as a valuable reminder to cultivate contentment and avoid the pitfalls of insatiable desire.