Frank J. Wilstach, comp. A Dictionary of Similes. 1916.

Covetous

Covetousness, like a candle ill made, smothers the splendor of a happy fortune in its own grease.
—Anonymous

Covetous persons are like sponges which greedily drink in water, but return very little until they are squeezed.
—G. S. Bowles

Covetousness, like jealousy, when it has once taken root, never leaves a man but with his life.
—Tom Brown

A covetous man is like a dog in a wheel, that roasteth meat for others.
—John Ray (Handbook of Proverbs, 1670)