Barbara Ehrenreich: Poor Accept Indignity

Barbara Ehrenreich Money Quote saying the poor are subjected to horrifying treatment by society while they live in poverty. Barbara Ehrenreich said:
 

 

“To live in poverty is to live with constant uncertainty, to accept galling indignities, and to expect harassment by the police, welfare officials and employers, as well as by others who are poor and desperate” — Barbara Ehrenreich

In this quote, writer and political activist Barbara Ehrenreich is describing some of the difficult realities and hardships of living in poverty based on her own experience. She notes that being poor means enduring “constant uncertainty” about basic needs like food, housing and healthcare from day to day.

It also involves having to accept “galling indignities”, or humiliating and degrading treatment from others. Additionally, Ehrenreich suggests that those in poverty often face “harassment” not only from authorities like police and welfare officials, but also from other poor individuals who are struggling and desperate themselves.

The overall interpretation is that Ehrenreich aims to convey poverty as a life of constant stress, lack of dignity and threat of mistreatment due to one’s socioeconomic circumstances according to her first-hand account.

Elayne Boosler: Breasts = Smaller Paycheck

Elayne Boosler Funny Money Quote saying The real utility of female body parts are to distinguish for the boss who gets paid less. Elayne Boosler said:
 

 

“I guess that maybe breasts are the most important part of the body when you think about it, I mean without them employers just wouldn’t know who to give the smaller paychecks to” — Elayne Boosler

This is the same Elayne Boosler quote that was provided earlier in the conversation history. As analyzed before, the best interpretation is that Boosler is using satire and exaggeration to draw attention to the serious issue of how women have historically faced discrimination in the workplace, including lower salaries than men for equal work.

Her joke implies this discrimination stems partly from the overemphasis on a woman’s physical attributes rather than her skills and qualifications for the job.

George Orwell: Two Money Commandments

George Orwell Money Quote saying Money is seen as a religion by all, and has only one commandment for each of two worshippers – for business it is ‘make money’ and for workers it is, ‘stay employed’ no matter the cost to your soul. George Orwell said:
 

 

“The decalogue has been reduced to two commandments. One for the employers – the elect, the money priesthood as it were – ‘Thou shalt make money’; the other for the employed – the slaves and underlings’ – ‘Thou shalt not lose thy job.'” — George Orwell

George Orwell is criticizing how society views work and money. Orwell is saying that for businesses and employers, their main goal or “commandment” is to make as much money as possible. Meanwhile, for workers and employees, their main goal is simply to keep their job and not lose employment, even if the job is soul-crushing or goes against their values.

Orwell refers to employers as the “elect” and “money priesthood” to emphasize how they see themselves as superior to workers and view making profits as most important. He calls employees “slaves and underlings” to highlight that their main concern according to this quote is just retaining employment, not finding fulfilling work. Overall, Orwell is critiquing how work had become less about purpose and more about profits and survival for many in society.

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