Arthur Miller: Work a Lifetime To Pay Off

Arthur Miller Money Quote saying we struggle throughout our lives to attain that which has value to no one in the end. Arthur Miller said:
 

 

“Work a lifetime to pay off a house. you finally own it, and there’s nobody to live in it” — Arthur Miller

In this quote, playwright Arthur Miller seems to be reflecting on the paradox of achieving financial security and stability late in life after a lifetime of work and sacrifice, but then lacking the capacity to fully enjoy the fruits of one’s labor. Some key points:

• Miller notes it can take an entire career (“work a lifetime”) of effort and earnings to pay off a mortgage and fully own a home free and clear.
• However, he implies that by the time this milestone of property ownership is finally reached, one is likely older and “there’s nobody to live in it” with – potentially referring to children moving out or a spouse having passed away.
• Miller’s comment conveys a sense of irony, sadness and missed opportunity – the house is no longer filled with the loved ones who provided motivation during the long struggle to become a homeowner.
• It captures the perspective that financial security may come too late to fully experience or share with family/friends, after dedicating decades to achieving it.

Overall, the quote reflects on the bittersweet nature of attaining hard-fought monetary goals late in life only to find diminished ability to enjoy the fruits of one’s labor amid changing life stages and circumstances. For Miller, prosperity alone does not equal fulfillment.

Arthur Miller: Grub Money, Build Something

Arthur Miller Money Quote saying the drudgery of work should justify creating a life that provides meaning and allows dedication. Arthur Miller said:
 

 

“If I have to grub for money all day long at least at evening I want it beautiful. I want a family, I want some kids, I want to build something I can give myself to” — Arthur Miller

In this quote, Arthur Miller is expressing his view that while earning a living requires diligent work and financial “grubbing” throughout the day, what truly gives life richness and purpose is creating a loving family and home environment. Some key points:

• Miller acknowledges the necessity of dedicating much time and effort each day to providing for oneself and others through one’s career or business.
• However, he states his desire that “at least at evening” he can find beauty, fulfillment and relaxation through surrounding himself with “a family” and “some kids” – implying familial bonds are what make hard work worthwhile.
• Miller also wishes “to build something I can give myself to” – suggesting creating a stable home and raising children is a deeply rewarding and selfless endeavor to dedicate one’s efforts and talents towards.

Overall, the quote conveys Miller’s perspective that earning money alone does not equate to a high quality of life. For him, true wealth comes from the relationships, memories and legacy built through committing oneself fully to nurturing a loving family as the foundation for one’s hard work and efforts each day.

Arthur Miller: Shopping Salvation

Arthur Miller Money Quote saying that in the past, those who were unhappy did something dramatic to take action – now we go buy something instead. Arthur Miller said:
 
 

“The main thing today is — shopping. Years ago a person, he was unhappy, didn’t know what to do with himself — he’d go to church, start a revolution—something. Today you’re unhappy? Can’t figure it out? What is the salvation? Go shopping” — Arthur Miller

In this quote, Arthur Miller seems to be critiquing a shift in modern society away from more meaningful or impactful activities toward empty consumerism. Some key points:

• He notes that in the present day, the primary recreational activity is “shopping” when in the past people sought fulfillment through religion, social change movements, etc.
• Miller suggests that now when people feel unhappy or lack purpose, the suggested “salvation” or solution is to go shopping and spend money rather than engage with deeper issues or communities.
• He implies that shopping as a cure-all is a superficial replacement for pursuits like spirituality, activism or human connection that provided more intrinsic rewards in previous eras.

Miller appears to believe that an over-emphasis on consumption as a means to find happiness or escape problems represents a cultural decline, where addressing emotional and social issues through shopping is no substitute for past generations’ turn to higher or more impactful callings during difficult times in their lives.

Arthur Miller: Stolen Million or Given Word

Arthur Miller Money Quote saying we too easily allow our word to be given away but we furiously protect meaningless cash and risk all to recover stolen funds. Arthur Miller said:
 

 

“You can quicker get back a million dollars that was stolen than a word that you gave away” — Arthur Miller

In this quote, Arthur Miller seems to be conveying that one’s words and actions can have permanent impacts that cannot be taken back or undone once released, for better or worse. Some key points:

• Miller notes it would be much easier and quicker to recover a large sum of money (“a million dollars”) if it was stolen from you, compared to retrieving something else you freely offered (“a word that you gave away”).
• He implies that uttering or publishing certain statements, opinions, information, etc. allows those ideas to spread and be interpreted in ways that cannot be fully controlled or reversed like retrieving stolen property.
• Once expressed, words have the potential to influence others and take on a life of their own separate from the speaker’s original intent, for good or ill.

Overall, the quote captures Miller’s perspective that verbal expressions and communications tend to be far harder to withdraw or erase from public consciousness than tangible property, since ideas spread and are interpreted subjectively once released from the originator’s control. For Miller, words warrant careful consideration due to their permanence compared to most material possessions.

Arthur Miller: All You’ve Got Can Be Sold

Arthur Miller Money Quote saying if you have nothing, then you have nothing to sell and that is all anyone has. Arthur Miller said:
 

 

“The only thing you’ve got in this world is what you can sell” — Arthur Miller

In this quote, Arthur Miller seems to be conveying that in life, one’s primary means of getting by and achieving goals is through their ability to market and sell their talents, skills, services or creations of value to others in exchange for compensation. Some key points:

• Miller states bluntly that “the only thing you’ve got in this world” to work with is essentially what you have that you can successfully “sell” to customers, clients, employers or audiences.
• This implies one must find ways to monetize their ideas, abilities or offerings that provide utility or entertainment to sufficient numbers of people in order to earn a living and advance.
• For Miller, success in the world comes down to figuring out how to package and peddle what you have to bring to the table that others are willing to support through their patronage or employment opportunities.

Overall, the quote conveys Miller’s perspective that at the end of the day, the primary resource anyone truly controls is their capacity to market themselves and what they create – and that the ability to effectively “sell” one’s talents, skills or creations is essentially what determines one’s livelihood and achievements according to Miller’s view of how the world operates.

Birthday October 17, 1915 – Died February 10, 2005

Arthur Miller: Make Profit Without Value

Arthur Miller Money Quote saying we allow ourselves to be convinced that only things which are profitable are valuable. Arthur Miller said:
 

 

“Don’t be seduced into thinking that that which does not make a profit is without value” — Arthur Miller

In this quote, Arthur Miller seems to be cautioning against equating monetary worth or profitability with true value or importance. Some key points:

• He directly advises not being “seduced into thinking” that anything lacking profit or financial gain is therefore worthless.
• Miller implies that while profitability is one way to measure value, it is not the only metric and some pursuits cannot or should not be judged solely on their revenue potential.
• Things like art, education, community services, civic duties, compassionate acts and other non-monetizable activities can have tremendous value to society even if they do not turn a profit per se.

Overall, the quote conveys Miller’s perspective that financial profit should not be the sole arbiter of an endeavor’s significance or impact. For Miller, intrinsic worth exists beyond monetary assessments, and some goods are too important to reduce to dollars and cents alone when considering their value and role.

Birthday October 17, 1915 – Died February 10, 2005