is the love of money really the root of all evil?

Answer 1

Certainly seems that way, doesn't it? Personally, I think overwhelming desire for ANYTHING is the root of all evil. Yes, in most cases, especially in our consumer culture, money IS the overwhelming desire. But what about desire for power? For land? Even for a person? (I can personally think of a few instances where I did a few evil things because of a silly junior high crush.) If you're not happy with what you have, and crave more and more, evil is bound to spring up.

Answer 2

If it were for the love of money that we like to earn and gather money then we would not misuse it. We in fact lust after it, and this lust gets into our veins and there it runs like devils very own blood. Money gives us something to think about, to worry about, something that we can hide our true intentions behind. It is obtained to hide our weaknesses and follies. We use money as a language to talk sense to people; we go on even further and try to bride gods for their appeasement. And above all money gives us power upon things, people and upon our own being – a temporary remedy for eternal fear.

The answer therefore is – no, money is not the root of all evils. There is something rotten and evil about us that tend to make good us of us when we are in circulation with money. You see money can be viewed as something that grows upon trees. It comes as a fruit of something else that is deeply rooted and is properly suited to human nature. Now, what that something could be that necessitates our need for wealth - the need that knows no bounds. It is true that we can never have enough of money. We would always need more.

Answer 3

no, power. money is still a fairly recent development, on the scale of things. i don't think money inspires people to commit 'evil' (i don't like using that word, it has too many religious connotations) acts. it's too materialistic, and yes, while we are becoming a more materialistic society, i don't feel money is the root of 'evil'.

people want power over anything else - suppose you're in a situation were you want one thing and somebody else wants a another thing - there, you lack the kind of authority on a basic level that would make your life a lot easier. anger and stress can build up because of it; and people with power can use it to manipulate others. some people may have more friends or receive more praise and respect from others, putting them in a position of power, when you feel it should be you. acts such as murder and rape are usually committed by people who feel that lack power or control. people can (ab)use power to manipulate and subjugate others - look at germany in the 30's. you can make anybody believe anything if you're powerful enough.

Answer 4

I'm with Old School too. Religion is at the root of most trouble in the world, look at the Muslims, they are not after money but are basically saying if you don't do it our way we will kill you - and it does not come anymore evil than that!

Answer 5

Money is just a form of something that human beings want to acquire (I suppose the passport to owning/gaining any material object). It's just another aspect of human achievement.

I think it's human nature to acquire/conquer. But because of the infinite possibilities that money can bring to produce security or satisfaction, unfortunately, it's always been misused and abused.

I say the root of all evil is greed.

Answer 6

the gateway to evil, money gives power and people love power and power when used in the wrong form can be evil. But money has it's good qualities too, without money it's hard to survive. So i guess it's how a person thinks that affects their attitude towards money.

Answer 7

Dunno about it being the root of all evil. I think the person with the money is where the evil comes from. Money, after all is just a paper entity. It doesn't really exist only in the value banks put on it.

Answer 8

"Money" is something that can give power in great quantities. Power is something that certain people desire. Money cannot buy happiness, yet those without money think it can solve all their problems. Yes, a person living in poverty could change their lives with money but yet, unless that person knows how to handle the money they will end up right back where they were.... in poverty. I think instead of looking at money as the resource to provide happiness, one should learn to be happy with what they already have...... even if it's a cardboard box.

Answer 9

Not quite, it's a good example of distorted values, when we put money (and / or the things we can get with it) as our main goal, people become less important to us.

An example, I want more money, so I work longer hours, I won't have as much time for friends and family, they are neglected in favour of getting more money, relationships start to fade, etc. As people become more socially isolated they usually lose perspective, and start to become less ethical.

Answer 10

Why do we suffer?
Because we desire....

Ignorance is the true root of all evil.


The Four Noble Truths of Zen

1. Life means suffering.

2. The origin of suffering is attachment.

3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.

4. The path to the cessation of suffering.


The origin of suffering is attachment to transient things and the ignorance thereof. Transient things do not only include the physical objects that surround us, but also ideas, and -in a greater sense- all objects of our perception. Ignorance is the lack of understanding of how our mind is attached to impermanent things. The reasons for suffering are desire, passion, ardor, pursuit of wealth and prestige, striving for fame and popularity,
... in short: craving and clinging.

Because the objects of our attachment are transient, their loss is inevitable, thus suffering will necessarily follow.