Aristotle: Money-Making Compulsion

Posted by admin on Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Meaning of Aristotle Money Quote: saying We live our lives money-making because we must to survive, it is not the end-goal, but necessity. Aristotle said:
 

 

“The life of money-making is one undertaken under compulsion, and wealth is evidently not the good we are seeking; for it is merely useful and for the sake of something else” — Aristotle

 

 

In this quote, Aristotle is making a couple key points about money-making and wealth:

1. He says that the life of constantly striving to make and accumulate money is essentially one that is undertaken out of compulsion or necessity rather than by choice. In other words, people feel obligated or forced to pursue wealth for survival rather than it being a truly free and fulfilling life path.
2. Aristotle asserts that wealth itself is not and should not be the ultimate “good” that people are seeking in life. Money is merely a useful tool or means to some other end, but not inherently a worthwhile goal by itself.

So in essence, Aristotle seems to be arguing that constantly chasing money and riches for their own sake is not a truly happy or purposeful way for people to live. Wealth is just a pragmatic necessity and instrument for achieving other goals, values or ends, but not the real source of well-being, fulfillment or virtue according to Aristotle.

Categories: philosophical Tagged:aristotlemoney-makingwealth