John Muir: Degenerating Money Machine
on Thursday, September 3, 2015John Muir Money Quotation saying there must be more to how we fit into standard societal priorities than mechanistically earning. John Muir said:
“I am losing precious days. I am degenerating into a machine for making money. I am learning nothing in this trivial world of men” — John Muir
In this quote, naturalist John Muir expresses frustration with how preoccupied he has become with making money at the expense of more meaningful pursuits. He feels as though he is “degenerating” or deteriorating by prioritizing profits and financial gain above all else, to the point he has become like a “machine” single-mindedly focused on wealth accumulation.
Muir also laments that he is “losing precious days” and “learning nothing” while immersed in the “trivial world of men” dominated by economic concerns. His view seems to be that constant preoccupation with earning and worldly matters prevents deeper learning, living intentionally and appreciating life’s richness.
The quote conveys Muir’s belief that an overemphasis on monetary success can undermine personal growth, quality time and philosophical discovery if allowed to consume one’s drive and interests.
Birthday: April 21, 1838 – Death: December 24, 1914