Money was evil, beauty vain, and both were transitory. Ambition was pride, desire for gain was avarice, desire of the flesh was lust, desire for honor, even for knowledge and beauty, was vainglory. Insofar as these diverted man from seeking the life of the spirit, they were sinful.
The author Barbara W. Tuchman, in "A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century," presents a critical view of various human desires and pursuits. She characterizes money as inherently evil and beauty as superficial, pointing out that both are fleeting. Tuchman argues that ambition, lust, and even the quest for knowledge can be seen as forms of vanity, leading people away from their spiritual needs. These distractions, according to her, divert individuals from a meaningful life focused on the spirit.
This perspective reflects a broader critique of societal values that prioritize materialistic and superficial achievements. Tuchman's work encourages readers to consider how ambition and desire, often viewed positively, can actually hinder spiritual fulfillment. By labeling these pursuits as sinful when they overshadow spiritual priorities, she invites a reevaluation of what constitutes a worthwhile life, emphasizing the importance of seeking deeper, lasting values over transient pleasures.
