Imogen Cunningham: Poor Work

Posted by admin on Friday, April 12, 2019

Photographer Imogen Cunningham Money Quote saying those without means to survive must work, while the wealthy have no incentive toward gainful employment. Imogen Cunningham said:
 

 

“I was poor. When you’re poor you work, and when you’re rich you expect somebody to hand it to you. So I think being reasonably poor is very good for people” — Imogen Cunningham

 

 

In this quote, Imogen Cunningham seems to be contrasting the mindsets of those who are poor versus those who are rich. Some key points:

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• She notes that when you are poor, you have no choice but to work hard to survive and provide for yourself/family. This builds a strong work ethic.
• However, when one is rich, there is a tendency to expect others to handle things and provide for you, rather than doing things for yourself through work.
• She believes that being “reasonably poor” is beneficial, as it forces self-reliance, grit, and a can-do attitude through needing to work to earn what you have.
• Wealth can potentially breed complacency, laziness and an entitlement mindset if one is not used to working for what they receive.

So in essence, Cunningham is saying that a moderate level of poverty is good for character as it cultivates important virtues like diligence, independence and a work ethic, rather than an expectation of things being handed to you due to wealth.

Birthday April 12, 1883 – Death: 23, 1976

 

Categories: poverty Tagged:imogen cunninghampoorrichwork