Moreover,–here's the worm i' the core, the germ
O' the rottenness and ruin which arrived,–
He owned some usufruct, had moneys' use
Lifelong, but to determine with his life
In heirs' default: so, Pietro craved an heir,
(The story always old and always new)
Shut his fool's-eyes fast on the visible good
And wealth for certain, opened them owl-wide
On fortune's sole piece of forgetfulness,
The child that should have been and would not be.

This passage from "The Ring and the Book" by Robert Browning explores themes of deception and the relentless pursuit of wealth and legacy. The speaker criticizes Pietro Comparini for his short-sightedness, symbolically referencing a "worm i' the core" to suggest that the true cause of the ensuing tragedy was rooted in Pietro’s desires. His craving for an heir—a timeless narrative of human folly—blinds him to the tangible wealth he possesses. Yet, his fixation lies with the elusive promise of future prosperity, embodied by a child who never materializes. Browning's lines weave a cautionary tale about the dangers of prioritizing perceived future gains over present realities. This quote encapsulates the universal and timeless nature of human greed and the inevitable downfall it can precipitate.