By Jove, I am not covetous for gold, Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; It yearns me not if me my garments wear; Such outward things dwell not in my desires: But if it be a sin to covet honor, I am the most offending soul alive.

When workmen strive to do better than well, They do confound their skill in covetousness, And oftentimes excusing of a fault Doth make the fault the worse by the excuse, As patches set upon a little breach Discredit more in hiding of the fault Than did the fault before it was so patched.

Desire of having is the sin of covetousness.

Covetousness is the greatest of monsters, as well as the root of all evil.

We covet what is guarded; the very care invokes the thief. Few love what they may have. [Lat., Quicquid servatur, cupimus magis: ipsaque furem Cura vocat. Pauci, quod sinit alter, amant.]

True it is that covetousness is rich, modesty starves. [Lat., Verum est aviditas dives, et pauper pudor.]