Aristotle: Money-Making Compulsion

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.

Birthday: January 6, 384 BC – Death: March 7, 322 BC

Aristotle: It’s Money Reproduced

Aristotle Money Quote saying that money is intended for exchanging, not earning interest, which is not natural. Aristotle said:
 

 

“Money was established for exchange, but interest causes it to be reproduced by itself. Therefore this way of earning money is greatly in conflict with the natural law” — Aristotle

In this quote, Aristotle is criticizing the practice of charging interest on loans of money. He argues that money was originally established or created solely as a means of facilitating the exchange of goods and services.

However, charging interest causes money to essentially reproduce or multiply itself simply through the passage of time, without any additional labor or production involved.

To Aristotle, this went against natural law or how things should naturally work based on their inherent purpose. He saw earning money through interest as going beyond the proper and intended function of money as a medium of exchange.

Aristotle appears to believe that profiting purely from interest payments, without contributing additional value or work, constituted a conflict with the natural and moral order as he understood it.

Birthday: January 6, 384 BC – Death: March 7, 322 BC

Aristotle: Parent of Revolution is Poverty

Aristotle Money Quote saying the condition of being poor births criminals and breeds revolution. Aristotle said:
 

“Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime” — Aristotle

In this quote, Aristotle seems to be making the observation that poverty is often a cause or contributing factor to social instability in the form of revolution and increased crime.

His point appears to be that when many people live in conditions of poverty without hope of improving their situation, it can breed resentment, unrest and desperation that leads some to engage in criminal acts or join revolutionary movements seeking radical change.

Aristotle’s statement suggests he believed that too much inequality and widespread poverty weakens a society and challenges political order by creating an environment where people are more likely to lash out or rise up against the status quo.

The quote implies Aristotle saw addressing poverty through economic and social reforms as important for maintaining peace and stability within a populace.

Birthday: January 6, 384 BC – Death: March 7, 322 BC

Aristotle: Ambition Causes Acts of Injustice

Aristotle Money Quote saying ambitious drive to get more and make money frequently causes purposeful injustice. Aristotle said:
 

 

“Yes the truth is that men’s ambition and their desire to make money are among the most frequent causes of deliberate acts of injustice” — Aristotle

In this quote, Aristotle is making the observation that among the most common causes of deliberate unjust or unethical acts are men’s ambition and desire to make money.

He seems to be arguing that when people are overly ambitious and greedy in their pursuit of wealth and status, it can often lead them to knowingly commit injustices against others for the sake of advancing their own interests.

Aristotle appears to be warning that excessive ambition and avarice have a tendency to corrupt individuals and cause them to rationalize behaving unjustly in order to get ahead financially or professionally.

The quote suggests Aristotle believed people should avoid allowing their ambition or craving for riches to override their sense of justice and morality in how they treat others.

Birthday: January 6, 384 BC – Death: March 7, 322 BC

Aristotle on Giving & Powerful Decisions

Aristotle Money Quotation saying we all have basic ability for charity, but few have the knowledge of effective philanthropy. Aristotle said:
 

 

“To give money is an easy matter and in every man’s power. But to decide to whom to give it, and how large and when, and for what purpose and how, is neither in every man’s power nor an easy matter” — Aristotle

In this quote, Aristotle is pointing out that while simply giving away money may seem easy to do, making good judgments about who deserves aid, how much to give, when to give it, and for what reasons and purposes is actually difficult and requires wisdom.

Anyone can part with their money, but determining the best and most ethical way to distribute funds takes careful consideration of many factors.

Aristotle appears to be arguing that true philanthropy or charitable giving involves more than just handing out cash – it demands prudence, discernment and strategy about the most impactful and deserving recipients as well as the appropriate amounts and conditions of any financial support provided.

According to Aristotle, deciding how to allocate resources philanthropically is a nuanced task that is beyond the abilities of most people.

Birthday: January 6, 384 BC – Death: March 7, 322 BC

Aristotle: Satisfaction in a Bank Balance

Aristotle Money Quote saying cash answers all wanting for the things it can buy – even if we don’t buy those things, we know we can have them if the money is available. Aristotle said:
 

 

“Money is a guarantee that we may have what we want in the future. Though we need nothing at the moment it insures the possibility of satisfying a new desire when it arises” — Aristotle

In this quote, Aristotle is describing one of the key functions and values of money. He states that money acts as a kind of “guarantee” that allows people to satisfy desires or needs that may arise in the future, even if they lack immediate wants or demands currently.

By having money available, it ensures the possibility of obtaining goods or services when new desires or requirements emerge down the line.

Aristotle seems to be acknowledging that money provides security, flexibility and opportunity by enabling future consumption and exchange even without immediate plans or necessities.

The quote suggests he viewed money as a store of value and medium of exchange that safeguards individuals’ ability to fulfill wants or needs as their circumstances and preferences change over time.

Birthday: January 6, 384 BC – Death: March 7, 322 BC

Aristotle: Petty Userers Avarice

Aristotle Money Quote saying loan sharks as small operators earning fast money on quick transactions is hated – but the description sounds like some practices of the respected banking industry on a smaller scale and without a license. Aristotle said:
 

 

“The trade of the petty usurer is hated with most reason: it makes a profit from currency itself, instead of making it from the process which currency was meant to serve. Their common characteristic is obviously their sordid avarice” — Aristotle

In this quote, Aristotle is criticizing the practice of petty usury or lending small sums of money at interest. He argues that this type of money-lending makes a profit solely from the exchange of currency itself through interest payments, rather than engaging in the productive economic processes or trades that currency was originally created to facilitate.

Aristotle believed money was meant to enable the exchange of goods and services between parties, not to be used to extract profit from interest alone. He describes the petty usurers’ common trait as “sordid avarice”, meaning their excessive greed and craving for wealth leads them to profit in a way he sees as unnatural and against the intended purpose of currency.

Overall, Aristotle appears to be condemning petty usury as an immoral practice that makes money from money in a way detached from real economic activity, driven solely by the usurers’ insatiable desire for riches.

Birthday: January 6, 384 BC – Death: March 7, 322 BC

Aristotle: Spending Other’s Money

Aristotle Money Quotation saying that kids, criminals and congress members spend money that is not their own and each need overseeing of their use of that cash.
 

 

“Three groups spend other people’s money: children, thieves, politicians. All three need supervision” — Aristotle

Aristotle seems to be making the point that children, thieves, and politicians are similar in that they all tend to spend funds that do not actually belong to them. For children, he may mean they spend parents’ money without fully understanding financial responsibilities.

For thieves, of course, they illegally take what is not theirs. And for politicians, Aristotle could be arguing they have a tendency to overspend public funds or tax dollars without sufficient oversight.

His overall message appears to be that when people make use of other people’s resources, whether rightfully or not, supervision is important to prevent waste or abuse. Reasonable people may disagree on how closely different groups require monitoring according to their circumstances.

Birthday: January 6, 384 BC – Death: March 7, 322 BC