“INDEED, to our race, save when it is trained in the Catholic philosophy, wealth and power appear as being almost self-evidently the objects of life. St. Thomas has discussed that illusion in his famous question: “Whether money be the main good?” and all men not caring to pursue the reasoning to its conclusion, answer “Yes.” Even where the Faith is preserved men pursue wealth and power inordinately. Where the Faith is lost they pursue nothing else.”
~Hilaire Belloc: Survivals and New Arrivals.
