Who said “Rapine, avarice, expense, This is idolatry; and these we adore; Plain living and high…”?

Verified

William Wordsworth. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceWritten in London, September 1802, l. 9 (wr. 1802; pub. 1807)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

Authors A–Z
“Rapine, avarice, expense, This is idolatry; and these we adore; Plain living and high thinking are no more.”
— William Wordsworth
VerifiedWritten in London, September 1802, l. 9 (wr. 1802; pub. 1807) · evidenceIdols
Report

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Written in London, September 1802, l. 9 (wr. 1802; pub. 1807).

APA

Wordsworth, W. (n.d.). Rapine, avarice, expense, This is idolatry; and these we adore; Plain living and high thinking are no more. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/3973-rapine-avarice-expense-this-is-idolatry-and-these/

MLA

Wordsworth, William. “Rapine, avarice, expense, This is idolatry; and these we adore; Plain living and high thinking are no more.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/3973-rapine-avarice-expense-this-is-idolatry-and-these/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Wordsworth, William. “Rapine, avarice, expense, This is idolatry; and these we adore; Plain living and high thinking are no more.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/3973-rapine-avarice-expense-this-is-idolatry-and-these/.

Related quotes

“Idolatry is in a man's own thought, not in the opinion of another.”
— John Selden
Idols
Report
“Whatever a man seeks, honors, or exalts more than God, this is the god of his idolatry.”
— William B. Ullathorne
Idols
Report

More quotes by William Wordsworth

All 44 William Wordsworth quotes →