destitution

Though the meekest of men, he was full of fire which flamed its fiercest in his patriotism, as though to burn to ashes the shortcomings and destitution of his country.

虽然他是个极其温和的人，在爱国主义上他却充满了最炽热的火焰，仿佛要把他自己国家的缺点和贫困烧成灰烬。