Greed

Greed is a dirty word. In fact, it is slanted on the evil side.

Greed is what brought an ex prime minister into exile. Greed is what made the China stock market bubble and its subsequent collapse. It is the emotive force that drives rogue lawyers to run away with their client's money. It is what causes CEOs to engineer their company's accounts.

Then again, we live in a very materialistic world. Success is in part measured by the material possessions one holds. Thus, we are tempted to be greedy. The only difference is the degree you embraces greed. I suppose the extend of your greediness defines the standard you live your life.