Epictetus said: “Covetousness like jealousy, when it has taken root, never leaves a person, but with their life.” Actually, that is probably not entirely true as covetousness becomes a karmic dilemma that grows and rebirth brings around again and again the circumstances that trigger covetousness, but with greater intensity and imperative with each go-around. What is Creator’s perspective?

This wise analysis quoted succinctly speaks to the reality that covetousness is a character flaw and, like attributes of character, which are truly deep and ingrained, such flaws will not change on their own. They might be covered up by someone acting cleverly to avoid exposure, but such weaknesses of character cannot be hidden forever and the behavior in question, having an excessive desire or greed, provides a kind of diagnostic measure of self-involvement versus having a greater normal balance of a healthy person knowing they must make compromises and be evenhanded in dealing with others in order to fit in. They have a balanced view, they expect others to treat them fairly, and they fully understand that others will expect them to be fair and, if they fail, they will be judged. People of good character will want to avoid making such a transgression and risk being judged by others at all costs because their conscience will weigh heavily on them if they act selfishly. The person of weak character, more on the way to being a narcissistic person, will not have such qualms and will happily push their way forward to be in the limelight or take something not truly earned and deserved and, if not possible, will continue to covet what they desire; it will burn within them, like great passion, and that is a measure of self-indulgence quite out of balance and a diagnostic indicator of narcissism.