About Midas
The Greek legend of King Midas is probably one of the best-known analogies to illustrate greed. At first, Midas wanted to possess wisdom. He believed he could obtain it by deceitfully capturing Silenos, the teacher of Dionysus. Then he wanted everything to turn to gold when he touched it and for the release of his teacher, King Midas was also granted this wish by Dionysus. However, not only food and drink, but even his own daughter turned to gold when he touched her. Realising his doom, Midas then ruefully asked Dionysus for help. He was merciful and allowed the king to be rescued: Midas was to bathe in the river and give his gift of turning everything into gold to the river. What an unmistakable and beautiful symbolic language! "Midas" reminds us not only to surrender to greed, but to the river of life.