The Scramble for Wealth

We must expect for a long time yet to see capitalists still striving to obtain the highest possible profits.

Lots Road Power Station, Kensington & Chelsea, SW10

But observe, that the passion for wealth is certainly in some senses new. It grew up very rapidly at the beginning of the present century; it was not so strong in the last century, when men were much more content to lead a quiet easy life of leisure.

Lots Road Power Station, Kensington & Chelsea, SW10

The change has really influenced the relations between men; but in the future it is quite possible that the scramble for wealth may grow less intense, and a change in the opposite direction take place.

From Arnold Toynbee’s Lectures on The Industrial Revolution in England (1884)

Coin Street

“No quiff can give Abe Kusich the fingeroo and get away with it,” he said bitterly. 

Haworth Tompkins Architects' Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre, Lambeth, SE1

“Not when I can get her leg broke for twenty bucks and I got twenty.” 

Haworth Tompkins Architects' Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre, Lambeth, SE1

From Nathanael West’s The Day of the Locust (1939)

Royal Exchange

He sat in the car and rested himself on the steering wheel.

Royal Exchange, City of London, EC3

Looking at all the other parked cars, he thought to himself they’re so much poorer than me.