Herman Melville: Monied Heaven

Herman Melville Money Quote saying a monied man can not get into heaven because his money is the root of all evil. Herman Melville said:
 

 

“The urbane activity with which a man receives money is really marvelous, considering that we so earnestly believe money to be the root of all earthly ills, and that on no account can a monied man enter heaven” — Herman Melville

In this quote, Herman Melville is commenting on the paradoxical relationship humans have with money. The best interpretation is:

• Melville notes that despite widespread beliefs that money is “the root of all earthly ills” and a barrier to entering heaven, people still eagerly and skillfully pursue wealth.
• There is a contradiction between seeing money as corrupting yet showing great “urbane activity” or sophistication when it comes to acquiring it.
• Melville suggests people are very adept at obtaining money even while believing deep down it only brings problems and worldly temptation that distances one from salvation.

Overall, Melville appears to be pointing out the cognitive dissonance in strongly condemning money as spiritually damaging but showing expert worldliness in amassing it anyway. He highlights the inconsistency between beliefs about money’s effects and the energetic behaviors used to accumulate it.

Birthday: August 1, 1819 – Death: September 28, 1891

Herman Melville: Takes Cash Out

Herman Melville Money Quote saying that being on the road drains both pens and bank accounts – travel is expensive. Herman Melville said:
 

 

“Traveling takes the ink out of one’s pen as well as the cash out of one’s purse” — Herman Melville

In this quote, Herman Melville seems to be commenting on how travel can negatively impact both one’s creative writing as well as one’s financial resources. Specifically:

• Melville states that traveling has the effect of “taking the ink out of one’s pen” – meaning it depletes or diminishes one’s inspiration, ideas and motivation for creative work like writing.
• He also notes that traveling expends “the cash out of one’s purse” – implying it uses up one’s money through the costs of transportation, lodging, food and activities while traveling.

The best interpretation is that Melville believed extensive traveling, while potentially enriching in other ways, can drain both an author’s creative juices/productivity as well as their financial reserves.

His quote conveys the perspective that extensive travel comes at the opportunity cost of draining resources that may otherwise fuel artistic output according to his observation of travel’s impacts on inspiration and income.

Birthday: August 1, 1819 – Death: September 28, 1891

Herman Melville: Poor Seem Rich

Herman Melville Money Quote saying poor people are not good at pretending to be wealthy no matter their airs. Herman Melville said:
 

 

“Poor people make a very poor business of it when they try to seem rich” — Herman Melville

In this quote, Herman Melville seems to be making an observation about the pitfalls of people from lower economic backgrounds attempting to project an image of wealth beyond their means. Specifically:

• Melville notes that when poor people try to “seem rich” through their appearance, possessions or lifestyle, it usually turns out to be a “very poor business” or a bad decision.
• He implies that those without significant financial resources often end up worse off by putting on airs of affluence they cannot truly sustain, likely through getting into debt or legal/social trouble.
• Melville appears to be suggesting that people are better served conducting themselves within realistic limits of their actual economic circumstances rather than pretending to be wealthier through superficial displays.

The best interpretation is that Melville believed living beyond one’s means through phony shows of riches is a risky gamble that rarely pays off well according to his perspective that modesty aligned with one’s true resources is a wiser approach than hollow attempts to portray wealth through inauthentic signaling of status. His quote conveys skepticism around keeping up false appearances of affluence without commensurate financial backing.

Birthday: August 1, 1819 – Death: September 28, 1891

Herman Melville: Do It for Pay

Herman Melville Money Quote saying there is nothing you can name that someone will not do for money – anything. Herman Melville said:
 

 

“There is nothing namable but that some men will, or undertake to, do it for pay” — Herman Melville

In this quote, Herman Melville seems to be making an observation about human nature and the workforce. Specifically:

• Melville states that for virtually “anything namable” or conceivable task, there are some people willing to do that work “for pay.”
• He appears to be acknowledging that for any job, no matter how unusual or unappealing it may seem, there are individuals who will take it on solely for financial compensation or a wage.
• Melville’s quote implies that money is often a primary motivator that enables any kind of work to be performed, even duties others may be reluctant to take responsibility for.

The best interpretation is that Melville believed financial incentives allow labor markets to function for virtually any required role or duty, since there are typically those pragmatic enough to perform even the most unappealing of tasks in exchange for a wage according to their priorities. His quote conveys a perspective that compensation enables specialization and completion of necessary jobs that others may disregard.

Birthday: August 1, 1819 – Death: September 28, 1891

Herman Melville: Money-Making

Herman Melville Money Quote saying that humans are at heart giving, but money-making grasps the heart more firmly. Herman Melville said:
 

 

“Man is a money-making animal, which propensity too often interferes with his benevolence” — Herman Melville

In this quote, Herman Melville seems to be making an observation about human nature and priorities. Specifically:

• Melville describes man as a “money-making animal” – implying the drive to generate wealth is a basic instinct or motivation for many people.
• However, he notes that this “propensity” or natural inclination toward accumulating riches “too often interferes with” acting with genuine kindness, goodwill or charity toward others (“benevolence”).
• Melville appears to believe the preoccupation with maximizing income can undermine more altruistic impulses if allowed to dominate one’s mindset and choices.

The best interpretation is that Melville believed the human tendency to prioritize profit-seeking is a common trait, but one that risks crowding out consideration for others’ well-being if unchecked.

His quote conveys a perspective that financial gain should not displace compassion as the overriding motivator, even if money-making comes naturally to people according to their basic nature in Melville’s view.

Birthday: August 1, 1819 – Death: September 28, 1891

Herman Melville: No Criticizing Poor

Herman Melville Money Quote saying best to avoid criticizing the poor if you are fat and happy – it’s presumptuous of anyone snug in their beds with a full stomach. Herman Melville said:
 

 

“Do not presume, well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed, to criticize the poor” — Herman Melville

In this quote, Herman Melville seems to be cautioning against people who have never experienced poverty themselves passing harsh judgments on the poor or less fortunate. Specifically:

• Melville notes that those who are “well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed” – meaning comfortably housed, able to afford heating/utilities, and with enough food – should not “presume” or arrogantly assume they can criticize the poor.
• He appears to be arguing that individuals who have always had their basic needs met have no authority or standing to condemn or look down upon those struggling with inadequate resources.
• Melville implies the poor deserve empathy and understanding rather than criticism from those who have never faced the challenges of poverty themselves.

The best interpretation is that Melville believed it is hypocritical and unfair for the financially secure to pass judgment on the circumstances and hardships confronting the impoverished, since they cannot personally relate to such lack or the difficult decisions poverty often requires according to his perspective emphasizing the need for compassion over condemnation of those lacking advantages others take for granted.

Birthday: August 1, 1819 – Death: September 28, 1891

Herman Melville: Paying & Being Paid

Herman Melville Money Quote saying that outflow of money is opposite of getting money in – or outflow very different from inflow of cash. Herman Melville said:
 

 

“There is all the different in the world between paying and being paid” — Herman Melville

In this quote, Herman Melville seems to be highlighting an important distinction between different financial situations and perspectives. Specifically:

• “Paying” refers to the act of providing money owed to another party, such as an employee, creditor or vendor.
• “Being paid” conversely describes the role of receiving compensation, whether it be a salary from an employer, interest from a loan, or revenue from sales.
• Melville argues there is a vast “different” or difference in mindset and experience depending on which side of the transaction one occupies.
• The quote conveys that the psychological and practical realities of the payer versus the payee are quite divergent, with the latter role generally perceived as preferable.

Overall, Herman Melville appears to be recognizing through this succinct expression that the financial burdens and stresses of the party obligated to remit payment contrast sharply with the benefits and security associated with being in the position of the recipient of funds.

Birthday: August 1, 1819 – Death: September 28, 1891