Question:
"The people who believe most that our greatness and welfare are proved by our being very rich, and who most give their lives and thoughts to becoming rich, are just the very people whom we call Philistines."
What can be inferred from the above statement of Matthew Arnold?
"The people who believe most that our greatness and welfare are proved by our being very rich, and who most give their lives and thoughts to becoming rich, are just the very people whom we call Philistines."
What can be inferred from the above statement of Matthew Arnold?
What can be inferred from the above statement of Matthew Arnold?
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Arnold's critique of materialism calls for a deeper, more thoughtful evaluation of greatness, beyond wealth or external success.
Updated On: Nov 21, 2025
- Greatness of people lies in their being rich and prosperous.
- Material prosperity is not the true criterion of a nation’s achievement.
- Philistines are great people.
- Arnold thinks very highly of himself.
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding Matthew Arnold’s Argument.
In this quote, Arnold is critiquing the belief that wealth and material prosperity are the true measures of a nation's greatness. He refers to those who place the most importance on becoming rich as "Philistines", a term often used by Arnold to refer to those with a shallow or materialistic view of the world. He argues that greatness cannot simply be measured by wealth.
Step 2: Explanation of the Options.
- (A) "Greatness of people lies in their being rich and prosperous." This is the opposite of Arnold’s argument. Arnold critiques this belief and dismisses it as shallow.
- (B) "Material prosperity is not the true criterion of a nation’s achievement." This is the correct answer. Arnold suggests that real greatness is not based on material wealth but on deeper values.
- (C) "Philistines are great people." Arnold uses the term "Philistines" ironically, implying that these people, who are overly focused on wealth, are not great.
- (D) "Arnold thinks very highly of himself." This is a misinterpretation. Arnold is criticizing a specific social attitude, not promoting his own self-importance.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (B), as Arnold is rejecting the idea that material prosperity is the true measure of greatness, instead suggesting that there are other, more significant criteria for true achievement.
In this quote, Arnold is critiquing the belief that wealth and material prosperity are the true measures of a nation's greatness. He refers to those who place the most importance on becoming rich as "Philistines", a term often used by Arnold to refer to those with a shallow or materialistic view of the world. He argues that greatness cannot simply be measured by wealth.
Step 2: Explanation of the Options.
- (A) "Greatness of people lies in their being rich and prosperous." This is the opposite of Arnold’s argument. Arnold critiques this belief and dismisses it as shallow.
- (B) "Material prosperity is not the true criterion of a nation’s achievement." This is the correct answer. Arnold suggests that real greatness is not based on material wealth but on deeper values.
- (C) "Philistines are great people." Arnold uses the term "Philistines" ironically, implying that these people, who are overly focused on wealth, are not great.
- (D) "Arnold thinks very highly of himself." This is a misinterpretation. Arnold is criticizing a specific social attitude, not promoting his own self-importance.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (B), as Arnold is rejecting the idea that material prosperity is the true measure of greatness, instead suggesting that there are other, more significant criteria for true achievement.
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