Anthony McCarten

There is the cult of the actor and of the director, and there's even been the cult of the celebrity chef and gardener, but there has never been a cult of the screenwriter. But I'm happy about that because what I crave - in a completely venal way - is creative opportunities, not recognition.

New Zealander Novelist

Peter Carey

In about 1975-76, I lived with a woman in a little hut with some fruit trees, and I had some of the most extraordinary, happy times of my life. Apart from the horrendous Queensland police, who were corrupt and venal, it really was like living in paradise.

Australian Novelist

Richard Dooling

Deep down I knew that if Hell existed, it was a real place full of ruthless, venal people, like the commodity pits at the Chicago Board of Trade, Disney World, or oral arguments before the United States Supreme Court.

American Novelist

Rob Thomas

I think there are people, and I do not mean this to be disparaging, there are people like Jay Mohr and Jeremy Piven where they just give you that vibe, 'This guy's going to play someone a little venal.

American Producer

C. J. Box

I love to feature children and young adults as real people - flawed, naive, virtuous, venal - but real. I think it adds nuance and depth to the stories that wouldn't exist without them.

American Writer

Terry Eagleton

Cynicism and naivety lie cheek by jowl in the American imagination; if the United States is one of the most venal nations on Earth, it is also one of the most earnestly idealistic.

English Critic

Hunter S. Thompson

Nixon represents that dark, venal and incurably violent side of the American character almost every other country in the world has learned to fear and despise.

American Journalist

Michael Specter

It is not possible to assert publicly that Monsanto is anything other than venal without being accused of being a sellout, a fraud, or worse.

Paul Bettany

Actors can be many things - vain, venal, self-serving, obnoxious, bullies - but all of the good ones are great storytellers.

English Actor

Matt Taibbi

Within the cult of Wall Street that forged Mitt Romney, making money justifies any behavior, no matter how venal.

American Author

Venal has a strongly negative tone, suggesting deep dishonesty and unethical behavior.

Negative Connotation

Often used in contexts involving politics or power, where corruption can occur.

Political Context

Implies the person acts for personal gain, usually monetary, at others' expense.

Personal Gain

Stresses the absence of moral principles, integrity or honesty in someone.

Lack of Principles

Focuses on being influenced by money, implying a misuse of power or position.

Influence and Money

Used to criticize cultures or systems that permit or encourage corruption.