George Bernard Shaw: Rich Uselessness

George Bernard Shaw Money Quote saying we don’t often attribute specific problems to the wealthy, but to the poor, it is only poverty they are blamed with. George Bernard Shaw said:
 

 

“What is the matter with the poor is poverty; what is the matter with the rich is uselessness” — George Bernard Shaw

George Bernard Shaw is contrasting how society views problems faced by the poor versus the rich. For the poor, their main problem or “matter” is seen as poverty – i.e. the lack of money and resources.

However, Shaw argues that for the rich, their main problem is “uselessness” – meaning that they do not contribute meaningful work or value to society, since they do not need to work due to their wealth.

So Shaw is criticizing how society often overlooks or excuses issues of idleness among the wealthy, while heavily blaming poverty as the main fault of the poor.

George Bernard Shaw: Poverty Fear Rules

George Bernard Shaw Money Quote saying if we focus on worries of being poor, we will survive, but not enjoy life. George Bernard Shaw said:
 

 

“You are going to let the fear of poverty govern your life and your reward will be that you will eat, but you will not live” — George Bernard Shaw

The quote “You are going to let the fear of poverty govern your life and your reward will be that you will eat, but you will not live” is saying that if a person allows their fear of being poor to control their life, then they will only focus on meeting their basic needs like eating, but they will not truly experience living life to the fullest.

George Bernard Shaw is suggesting that worrying too much about not having enough money or being poor can prevent someone from fully enjoying life and all the experiences it has to offer.

George Bernard Shaw: Security or Poverty

George Bernard Shaw Money Quote saying a secure populace cannot exist where poverty threatens everyone. George Bernard Shaw said:
 

 

“Security, the chief pretense of civilization, cannot exist where the worst of dangers, the danger of poverty, hangs over everyone’s head” — George Bernard Shaw

George Bernard Shaw is saying that true security and safety cannot exist for a society or civilization if the threat of poverty hangs over everyone’s head. He argues that as long as there is a risk that anyone could fall into poverty at any time, no one can feel truly secure.

By using the word “pretense”, he suggests that claims of security by a society are empty if poverty remains a danger that could affect everyone. In other words, as long as poverty remains widespread, no one can feel confident that their basic needs will be met.

George Bernard Shaw: Poverty Mistaken

George Bernard Shaw Poverty Quote saying those suffering from any difficulty like pain or poverty assume that all who are free of that problem are also happy. George Bernard Shaw said:
 

 

“The man with toothache thinks everyone happy whose teeth are sound. The poverty stricken man makes the same mistake about the rich man” — George Bernard Shaw

George Bernard Shaw said that the poor man makes the same mistake as the man with toothache because both assume that those without their problem (toothache or poverty) must necessarily be happy. Shaw is pointing out that just because someone does not have a certain difficulty, like poverty or toothache, it does not mean they are free from unhappiness or other problems in their lives.

His quote suggests that the poor man mistakenly believes the rich man must be happy simply because he is rich, without considering that wealth does not guarantee happiness or solve all life’s problems and difficulties.

George Bernard Shaw: Virtue of Economy

George Bernard Shaw Money Quote saying that love of the green is virtuous and love of cash flourishes along with a love of economy. George Bernard Shaw said:
 

 

“The lack of money is the root of all evil. The love of money is the root of all virtue. The love of economy is the root of all virtue” — George Bernard Shaw

George Bernard Shaw was satirizing the idea that money is the root of all evil. His quote suggests that in reality, the lack of money causes problems, while the love of money and economy are actually virtues. He seems to be criticizing the notion that money itself is inherently bad.

The love of economy likely refers to being prudent with one’s resources. Overall, Shaw appears to be arguing somewhat tongue-in-cheek that having and managing money well leads to virtue, rather than it being the sole source of evil as commonly stated.

George Bernard Shaw: Money in Darkness

George Bernard Shaw Money Quote saying that production of cash is better done in dark corners when we cannot see properly so we are less offended by the mystery. George Bernard Shaw said:
 

 

“Shall I turn up the light for you? No, give me deeper darkness. Money is not made in the light” — George Bernard Shaw

George Bernard Shaw was saying that making money is better done discreetly or secretly, where others cannot see the process clearly. He seemed to believe that openly displaying how money is earned or produced could potentially offend people or draw criticism.

By doing it “in the dark” or without much transparency, it avoids drawing as much attention to exactly how the money is being made. In essence, Shaw was commenting that the production of wealth or financial gain works better when it’s done more privately without extensive public scrutiny.

George Bernard Shaw: Fear of Poverty

George Bernard Shaw Money Quote saying people are so frightened by the idea of poverty, that it siphons off the simple joy of living. George Bernard Shaw said:

Let the fear of poverty govern your life and your reward will be that you will eat, but you will not live
— George Bernard Shaw

George Bernard Shaw: To Consume Wealth

George Bernard Shaw Money Quote saying in order to be justified in both wealth and in happiness, one must produce before consuming them. George Bernard Shaw said:
 

 

“We have no more right to consume happiness without producing it than to consume wealth without producing it” — George Bernard Shaw

George Bernard Shaw is saying that in order to be justified in consuming or enjoying happiness and wealth, one must first produce or create those things through their own efforts. In other words, we do not have a right to consume or use happiness and wealth without working to produce or earn them first through our own productivity and contributions.

Shaw is advocating that people should not be passive consumers but should actively work to create value for themselves and others in order to deserve the rewards of happiness and material prosperity.