Samuel Johnson: Negligence Affords Poverty
on Saturday, June 11, 2016Samuel Johnson Money Quote saying the attitude of negligence is a sure attraction to poverty for one who believes they have the luxury of being neglectful. Samuel Johnson said:
“He that thinks he can afford to be negligent is not far from being poor” — Samuel Johnson
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In this quote, Samuel Johnson is warning against being negligent or careless with one’s financial affairs and resources. When Johnson says someone who “thinks he can afford to be negligent is not far from being poor”, he means that acting in an unconcerned or lackadaisical way with money will likely lead to impoverishment.
The quote suggests Johnson believed poverty can easily result from small acts of negligence that accumulate over time, such as failing to budget properly, spending excessively without thought, or not paying close attention to expenses.
Johnson appears to be advocating diligence, prudence and mindfulness about one’s economic circumstances to avoid slipping into poverty through small lapses in responsibility or oversight. The overall interpretation is that Johnson viewed negligence as a precursor to poverty that should be guarded against.