Daniel Defoe: Rich Man Honest

Daniel Defoe Money Quote saying one with wealth has no need to cheat when it wouldn’t benefit his bottom line or he’s doubly dishonest. Daniel Defoe said:
 

 

“A rich man is an honest man — no thanks to him; for he would be a double knave, to cheat mankind when he had no need of it: he has no occasion to press upon his integrity, nor so much as to touch upon the borders of dishonesty” — Daniel Defoe

This quote by Daniel Defoe suggests that a wealthy person has no need to act dishonestly or cheat others out of greed, since they are already rich. Defoe is saying that a rich person who cheats or acts dishonestly when they have no financial need to do so would be a “double knave” – dishonest both in cheating others and in doing so unnecessarily despite their wealth.

The quote implies that the rich have less temptation to compromise their integrity for money, since they already have money, so in that sense they may be considered more honest than someone who feels a strong financial pressure to act dishonestly.

Birthday: c. 1660 – Death: April 24, 1731

Anthony Trollope: Squabbling for Money

Anthony Trollope Money Quote saying if good people didn’t pick fights over money with dishonest people, we’d see the bad guys carry away the bulk of the dough.
 

 

“If honest men did not squabble for money in this wicked world of ours, the dishonest men would get it all and I do not see that the cause of virtue would be much improved” — Anthony Trollope

In this quote, Anthony Trollope is suggesting that while honest men may squabble or compete for money, if they did not, then dishonest men would accumulate all the wealth instead.

Trollope implies that some level of competition, even if it involves squabbling over money, helps ensure that not all the wealth ends up in the hands of the dishonest. In other words, he sees competition between honest men as preferable to leaving the field clear for the dishonest to amass money and power without restraint.

Birthday: April 24, 1815 – December 6, 1882

Pavel Constantin, Romania

Simon Cameron on Paid Honesty

19th Century politician Simon Cameron in a Money Quote saying he is more honest with those who’ve bribed him than to constituents who haven’t paid for his loyalty – forgetting the salary as a source of honesty. Cameron was Abraham Lincoln’s Secretary of War. Simon Cameron said:
 

 

“An honest politician is one who, when he is bought, will stay bought” — Simon Cameron

In this quote, Simon Cameron is cynically referring to political corruption and the influence of money in elections. By stating that an “honest politician” will “stay bought”, Cameron suggests that once a politician accepts financial support from a donor, they effectively sell their loyalty and will consistently represent that financial backer’s interests, rather than those of the public.

The quote conveys Cameron’s perspective that political principles can be purchased by donors, and elected officials will remain faithful not to their constituents but to their financial supporters. He appears to believe that campaign contributions effectively “buy” politicians’ allegiance, and that accepting such money compromises their independence and duty to citizens.

Birthday: March 8, 1799 – Death: June 26, 1889

Seneca: Devilish Pay

Seneca Money Quote saying people will be upright and honest if they do well by that stance, but may turn evil if that pays better. Seneca said:
 

 

“Some are pious and honest as long as they thrive upon it, but if the devil himself gives better wages, they soon change their party” — Seneca

Seneca is saying that some people who appear pious and honest will remain so only as long as it benefits them financially or materially.

But if someone or something else, like “the devil himself”, were to offer higher pay or better material rewards, these people would quickly abandon their apparent principles and “change their party” by switching allegiances.

In other words, their morality is not genuine or deeply held, but rather conditional or transactional – it depends on following whatever course of action leads to greater prosperity or advantage, regardless of ethics.

So Seneca is criticizing people whose virtue and integrity are shallow and self-serving, not authentic, by pointing out they would compromise their supposed principles for higher wages or rewards.

Birthday: c. 4 BC – AD 65

Paul McCracken: Economic Honesty

Paul McCracken Money Quote saying Although he was an economic advisor, he didn’t want to be called an economist because they seemed to have a bit less honesty than he felt necessary. Paul McCracken said:
 

 

“I am not an Economist. I am an honest man!” — Paul McCracken

This quote suggests that Paul McCracken is making a joke about economists. He implies that to be an economist, one cannot also be honest. The humor comes from the stereotype that economists may spin or selectively present information to support a particular viewpoint, while an “honest man” would not do this.

So McCracken is poking fun at the field of economics and economists through self-deprecating humor, pointing out a perceived flaw or limitation of being an economist according to some stereotypes.

Birthday: December 29, 1915 – Death: August 3, 2012