https://pjmedia.com/rogerkimball/2009/02/08/in-praise-of-greed/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usThu, 11 Jun 2026 02:37:32 -0400<![CDATA[The President of the United States has repeatedly taken time out to castigate the &#8220;greed&#8221; of Wall Street and the business community. But shouldn&#8217;t we pause to consider the pleasing side of greed? Ok, the dictionary says greed is an &#8220;excessive desire to acquire or possess, as wealth or power, beyond what one needs or deserves.&#8221;  Being good Aristoteleans at heart, we all balk at anything excessive, but what about the promptings of what Tocqueville called &#8220;self-interest rightly understood&#8221;? I think there is a lot to be said for it&#8211;as did Tocqueville:]]>Sun, 08 Feb 2009 11:52:14 -0500<![CDATA[Roger Kimball]]>https://pjmedia.com/roger-kimball/2009/02/08/in-praise-of-greed-n115539