The root of covetousness is loss of judgement. Loss of judgement, again, is its inseparable quality. Eternity is ignorance's course. The time when ignorance occurs is when the objects of covetousness are not gained.
मूलं लोभस्य मोहो वै कालात्मगतिरेव च। छिन्ने भिन्ने तथा लोभे कारणं काल एव च॥ तस्याज्ञानाद्धि लोभो हि लोभादज्ञानमेव च। सर्वदोषास्तथा लोभात् तस्माल्लोभंविवर्जयेत्॥