Why does Pahom get angry with the neighbors in "How Much Land Does a Man Need?"

Pahom is a peasant and has been working land owned by another person. When the landowner announces that she will be selling the land, Pahom and the other peasants each buy a piece of it. Had they allowed the innkeeper to buy the land, they would be subjected to fines and taxes.

Pahom is able to purchase forty acres. This is a new experience for him because he's never owned land before. Pahom begins to notice that some of the other peasants/neighbors have begun to trespass on his meadows and cornfields. At first, he is very understanding because he knows it is their "want of land, and no evil intent on their part . . ."

However, it keeps occurring, and Pahom decides to fine some of them to make an example. Some neighbors take such offense to this that they decide to trespass on purpose. This is when Pahom really gets angry. Suspecting Simon, Pahom tries to prosecute him, but there is no sufficient evidence. Pahom continues to quarrel with the judges and his neighbors. His relationships grow steadily worse. Eventually, Pahom relocates so that he can get even more land. The overarching moral theme of this story is the danger of greed.