George Orwell: Money Virtue Test

Meaning of George Orwell Money Quote: saying amount of income as a test of virtue means begging is not respectable. George Orwell said:

 

 

“Money has become the grand test of virtue. By this test beggars fail, and for this they are despised. If one could earn even ten pounds a week at begging, it would become a respectable profession immediately” — George Orwell

Orwell is criticizing the idea that wealth or income is used as the primary measure of a person’s worth or virtue in society. He argues that by this standard, beggars are seen as lacking virtue since they do not earn a wage. Orwell suggests that if begging could earn someone a decent salary, it would suddenly be seen as a respectable profession. Overall, he is pointing out the flaws in judging someone’s character or value based primarily on their financial situation.

Orwell is saying that under a system where money is considered the primary test of virtue and character, beggars would be seen as failing or lacking virtue. This is because beggars, by definition, do not earn money from their work and rely on others’ charity. Orwell is criticizing the idea that one’s worth or morality can be judged mainly based on their income or financial success. By pointing out that even begging could become respectable “if one could earn ten pounds a week at it,” he shows how arbitrary and flawed it is to use money as the main measure of a person’s virtue.

Birthday: June 25, 1903 – Death: January 25, 1950

Stevie Ray Vaughn: Beg & Stealing

Stevie Ray Vaughn Money Quote saying in lyrics from his song ‘Crossfire’ that money is tight and we’re all scrambling for our share. Stevie Ray Vaughn said:
 

 

“Hurry here, hustlin’ there No one’s got the time to spare Money’s tight, nothin’ free Tooth for tooth, eye for an eye Sell your soul just to buy, buy, buy Beggin’ a dollar stealin’ a dime” — Stevie Ray Vaughn

In these lyrics, Stevie Ray Vaughn seems to be portraying a fast-paced, hustling way of life where financial struggles are constant and people feel they must resort to desperate measures to get by. Specifically:

• The lines “Hurry here, hustlin’ there” and “No one’s got the time to spare” convey a sense of frantic activity and time pressure as people scramble between jobs or schemes to earn money.
• “Money’s tight, nothin’ free” reinforces the scarcity of funds and lack of flexibility this brings.
• “Tooth for tooth, eye for an eye” and “Sell your soul just to buy, buy, buy” imply a dog-eat-dog mentality emerges from the financial stresses, and people feel compelled to compromise their principles for material gain.
• The final lines depict situations of both petty theft (“stealin’ a dime”) and demeaning begging (“Beggin’ a dollar”) resulting from the pressures of limited funds and opportunities according to Vaughn’s portrayal of a grinding lifestyle where scarcity of money governs one’s circumstances and choices.

Birthday: October 3, 1954 – Death: August 27, 1990

Oscar Wilde: Taking or Begging

Oscar Wilde Money Quote saying if concerned about safety, it is better to beg. When appearances matter more, theft is preferred. Oscar Wilde said:
 

 

“As for begging, it is safer to beg than to take, but it is finer to take than to beg” — Oscar Wilde

This quote from Oscar Wilde suggests that while begging carries more risk than taking what one needs without permission, taking is a nobler act than begging. Wilde seems to be implying that begging for charity involves a loss of dignity and independence, putting one at the mercy of others’ generosity.

In contrast, taking implies self-reliance and asserting one’s own needs rather than pleading for the aid of others. The quote conveys the perspective that when in difficult circumstances requiring survival or sustenance, it is preferable from an integrity standpoint to provide for oneself through direct action rather than humble supplication.

Overall, Wilde presents the view that self-provisioning carries more honor than begging, even if it may bring greater danger in the eyes of the law or authorities.

Birthday: October 16, 1854 – Death: November 30, 1900

Doris Lessing: Lending is Stealing

Doris Lessing Money Quote saying lenders are as good as thieves, stealing with interest. Doris Lessing said:
 

 

“Borrowing is not much better than begging; just as lending with interest is not much better than stealing” — Doris Lessing

In this quote, Doris Lessing is drawing a parallel between borrowing/lending money and related but less socially acceptable behaviors. She suggests that borrowing from others is not much different than begging, as it still relies on receiving something of value from another without immediate compensation.

Similarly, lending money with the expectation of interest payments in return is comparable to stealing, as it involves profiting from another’s temporary need or lack without providing an equal service in exchange.

Lessing appears to be criticizing the practice of charging interest on loans as a means of deriving unearned income from those in difficult financial situations.

A deeper interpretation is that she saw both borrowing and lending with interest as exploiting power imbalances for personal gain in ways that are only marginally better than the more openly undesirable acts of begging and stealing.

Birthday: October 22, 1919 – Death: November 17, 2013

Leontyne Price: Tin Cup Arts

Leontyne Price Money Quote saying we must often resort to begging for support for the arts, yet artists are used as examples to emulate. Leontyne Price said:
 

 

“We should not have a tin cup out for something as important as the arts in this country, the richest in the world. Creative artists are always begging, but always being used when it’s time to show us at our best” — Leontyne Price

Leontyne Price is criticizing how the arts are underfunded in the United States despite it being the richest country. She notes that creative artists are constantly having to “beg” by holding out “tin cups” or asking for donations to fund their work. At the same time, these artists and their talents are heavily utilized and promoted when politicians or organizations want to present America’s achievements and culture on the global stage.

Price is implying it is hypocritical for the US to rely so heavily on its artists to showcase American excellence abroad, yet provide inadequate financial support for the arts domestically so that creative people are constantly struggling. Her quote aims to highlight the contradiction between undervaluing the arts at home while exploiting them for cultural soft power overseas.

Birthday February 10

Lawrence Lessig: Innovators Earn Success

Lawrence Lessig Money Quote saying Entrepreneurs don’t succeed because they paid lobbyists to secure subsidies or tax shelters, but by earning it. Lawrence Lessig said:
 

 

“Entrepreneurs succeed by working harder. By competing better. By creating more. They succeeded by innovating, not by hiring lobbyists to get them a special tax favor. Not by paying Congressmen to get a special subsidy. Not by begging Congress for corporate welfare, but by making money the old fashioned way: by earning it” — Lawrence Lessig

Lessig emphasizes the importance of innovation over hiring lobbyists or paying Congressmen because he believes that entrepreneurs succeed by earning their success through hard work, competition, and creation, rather than relying on special favors or tax breaks.

He values the old-fashioned way of earning money through innovation and competition, rather than through political influence and corporate welfare.

Miguel de Cervantes: Begging vs. Earning

Miguel de Cervantes Money Quote saying we should earn when it is possible to do so and beg only when it is impossible to earn. Miguel de Cervantes said:
 

 

“Never stand begging for that which you have the power to earn” — Miguel de Cervantes

This quote from Miguel de Cervantes encourages taking initiative and being proactive rather than passive. It suggests that if there is something you want or need, you should work to earn it through your own efforts and abilities rather than relying on others to give it to you as a gift or through begging.

The “best” interpretation would say that Cervantes is advising people to believe in their own power to improve their situation through active effort, skill, perseverance and industry rather than expecting others to solve their problems or fulfill their desires without their own meaningful participation or contribution.

Birthday: September 29, 1547 (assumed) – Death: April 22, 1616

Jerry Seinfeld: Begging Dogs

Funny Money Quotes: Offering a perfectly rational reason that dogs are always begging – they have no place to keep their cash!. Jerry Seinfeld said:
 

 

“Dogs have no money. They’re broke their entire lives. You know why dogs have no money? No pockets” — Jerry Seinfeld

The quote “Dogs have no money. They’re broke their entire lives. You know why dogs have no money? No pockets” by Jerry Seinfeld is a humorous observation about why canines are not able to earn or possess currency. Seinfeld is pointing out the literal reason – dogs do not have pockets in their fur coats or elsewhere to hold money like humans do.

His comment wryly suggests that without this basic anatomical feature, dogs are financially disadvantaged and perpetually without funds. The quote uses lighthearted irony to note how something as simple as lacking storage space prevents dogs from participating in economic systems. It’s a clever example of Seinfeld’s signature comedic style that finds mundane humor in everyday details and quirks through his signature deadpan delivery.