George MacDonald on Friendship & Money

Posted by admin on Tuesday, February 12, 2013

George MacDonald Money Quotation saying money gains friends and can enrich everyone when well used but rots and decays when locked away. George MacDonald said:
 

 

“But for money and the need of it, there would not be half the friendship in the world. It is powerful for good if divinely used. Give it plenty of air and it is sweet as the hawthorn; shut it up and it cankers and breeds worms” — George MacDonald

 

 

In this quote, George MacDonald is discussing the complex role that money plays in relationships and society. He argues that without money and the need for it (“the need of it”), there would be much less friendship in the world, as people would not depend on each other for financial support and assistance.

However, he also says that when money is “divinely used” or spent/handled with good intentions and for righteous purposes, it can be “powerful for good.” The second part of the quote uses the metaphor of air and the hawthorn tree – when money has “plenty of air” and circulates freely in the economy and society, it remains “sweet.”

But if “shut up” or hoarded selfishly without being used or shared, money can “canker and breed worms,” potentially causing harm. So MacDonald views money as both enabling important relationships but also as something that must flow and be used beneficially to avoid corruption and negative consequences.

Birthday: December 10, 1824 – Death: September 18, 1905

George Macdonald: Need of Friendship

Posted by admin on Monday, December 10, 2012

George MacDonald Money Quote saying we do many things for money, including the choice of friends based upon their ability to bring us closer to money. George MacDonald said:
 

 

“But for money and the need of it, there would not be half the friendship in the world. It is powerful for good if divinely used” — George MacDonald

 

 

In this quote, George MacDonald is discussing the role that money plays in relationships. He argues that without money and the need for it (“the need of it”), there would be much less motivation for friendship as people would not depend on each other for financial support and assistance.

However, he also says that when money is “divinely used” or spent/handled with compassion and for righteous purposes, it can drive positive outcomes and bring people together.

The quote suggests that our need for economic resources encourages interdependence and social bonds, but that money’s influence is only truly beneficial when it flows freely and is used to help others, not when hoarded or prioritized above people.

Overall, MacDonald sees money as both enabling important relationships through our shared needs, but also emphasizing the importance of proper, altruistic management of financial capital to avoid corruption and maximize social good.

Birthday: December 10, 1824 – Death: September 18, 1905