How the greed of leaders can destroy nations

Leaders who desire power and wealth above all else are capable of creating untold human misery. This unyielding effort for more and more has corroded our morality. In the near future, it may even lead to a collective collapse. History, philosophy, and literature have long warned us about the dangers of greed.

In the Christian Bible, we read, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

In the Koran, we read, “And whoever is saved from the covetousness of his soul—they are the successful ones.” (Sūrat al-Hashr No.59, Āyat 9)

In the Bhagavad Gita, we read, “If a person is lustful, greedy, and remains angry, then this leads to the hell of self-destruction.” (Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 16 – The Divine and Demoniac Natures, Verse 21)

And, finally, in the teachings of the Buddha, we read, “There is no fire like passion, there is no shark like hatred, there is no snare like folly, there is no torrent like greed.” (Buddha. Trans. by Thomas Byrom. Dhammapada, Verse 251)

Others, too, including Aristotle, viewed greed as a vice that disrupts the balance of virtues. It is not just an individual flaw but a force that can bring entire nations to ruin.

Greed often springs from an insatiable hunger for power and control. This self-serving ambition can drive people to kill, rob, cheat, and manipulate, shattering the peace and well-being of society. The pursuit of abundance is not a sin, but when wealth and power become the only measures of success, humanity’s moral compass will falter.

We’ve seen this play out on a global scale during the 2008 financial crisis. When banks and financial institutions, blinded by their desire for profit, extended loans to those who could ill-afford them. These high-risk loans were then bundled and sold off, destabilising the global economic system. When borrowers began defaulting, the entire system collapsed, plunging economies into jeopardy and leaving millions in financial despair. Many other examples abound.

Greed does more than destabilise economies; it can also breed arrogance and callousness. Those who accumulate power and wealth often come to see themselves as gods, superior to others. This is where the true danger lies: leaders who prioritise their own gain over the welfare of their people inevitably create societies where the strong thrive while the vulnerable suffer.

However, there is hope. By embracing ethical leadership, we can foster a society where the strong thrive, and the vulnerable are shielded. True leadership is not about domination or self-glorification; it is about shouldering responsibility, practicing humility, and serving others for the greater good.

In the novel Taj’s Sabbatical by Artell Smith and Troy Smith, the primary protagonist and all-around “bad guy” reminds us how greed can tear apart families and societies. Set in the year 2104, the book tells the story of Fayzaan Al-Azd, the Crown Prince of House Al-Azd, whose greed propels him to foolish, unrepentant, evil acts. Not only does Fayzaan desire the destruction of his enemies, but he also desires the downfall of his own father.

Fayzaan’s pursuit of power is fueled by his desire to settle old scores and collect riches, regardless of the human cost. His manipulative nature tears at the foundations of society, pushing it toward collapse. Fayzaan’s willful blindness to the consequences of his actions sets in motion forces that threaten the existence of humans throughout the solar system.

In a desperate bid to stop him, Taj, a Sol System Enforcer, is forced to abandon his peaceful sabbatical with his partner, Taddy, which sets off a chain of life-threatening events. With his family by his side, Taj takes on the dangerous task of bringing justice to Fayzaan and restoring balance to society.

The editorial unit

Join Taj on his journey against the forces of evil in Taj’s Sabbatical: Book One, Sol System Enforcer Chronicles, available now on Amazon. For further information visit the Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and website.