Henry Fielding: Money, Money Rich
on Saturday, January 22, 2022Henry Fielding Money Quote saying money has more power to overcome any shortcoming or failing. Henry Fielding said:
“Sir, money, money, the most charming of all things; money, which will say more in one moment than the most elegant lover can in years. Perhaps you will say a man is not young; I answer he is rich. He is not genteel, handsome, witty, brave, good-humored, but he is rich, rich, rich, rich, rich – that one word contradicts everything you can say against him” — Henry Fielding
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In this quote, Henry Fielding seems to be satirizing or criticizing how wealth and money can override other qualities in social and romantic relationships. A few key points:
- He calls money “the most charming of all things” ironically, suggesting its oversized influence on people’s perceptions.
- Fielding notes money can communicate admiration and attraction more effectively than even the most eloquent “lover” through years of effort.
- Being rich is presented as trumping any negative traits like lack of youth, charm, looks, personality etc. that could be used to criticize a person.
- The repetition of “rich” emphasizes how a single word related to wealth and status can overwhelm and contradict any other unfavorable descriptions.
Overall, the quote appears to be using exaggeration and humor to comment on society’s tendency to overvalue monetary factors and overlook other attributes when wealth is present, in Fielding’s critical view. The satirical tone suggests he feels money should not be such an overriding factor in how people are judged.