Jean de la Bruyere: Robs Himself

Posted by admin on Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Jean de la Bruyere Money Quote saying that being extremely thrifty takes money from family, but a miserly person steals from themselves. Jean de la Bruyere said:
 

 

“The spendthrift robs his heirs the miser robs himself” — Jean de la Bruyere

 

 

In this quote, Jean de la Bruyere is contrasting the behaviors and impacts of two different types of financially unwise individuals – the spendthrift and the miser.

Specifically, he notes that a spendthrift, who recklessly wastes money on excess or frivolous expenses, effectively “robs” or deprives their heirs (those who would inherit their estate) of the wealth that should be passed down.

However, Bruyere also states that a miser, who is overly frugal to the point of being stingy and refuses to spend any money even on themselves, paradoxically “robs” themselves by denying themselves the enjoyment or benefits that their wealth could provide while they are alive.

The best interpretation is that Bruyere believed both extremes – being either too free or too tight with money – were flawed approaches that ultimately hurt either oneself or others. A balanced attitude towards spending and saving was implied to be preferable to either extreme according to Bruyere’s perspective.

Birthday: August 16, 1645 – Death: May 11, 1696

Jean de La Bruyere: Poverty Mother Crime

Posted by admin on Monday, July 23, 2018

Jean de La Bruyere Money Quote saying that being poor means many are driven to crime as the only solution when there is a poverty of common sense. Jean de La Bruyere said:
 

 

“If poverty is the mother of crime, lack of good sense is the father” — Jean de La Bruyere

 

 

In this quote, French writer Jean de La Bruyere seems to be challenging the common notion that poverty alone causes criminal behavior.

While acknowledging poverty can play a role (“poverty is the mother of crime”), La Bruyere argues the more significant factor is a “lack of good sense” or poor judgment and decision making. This suggests crime often stems more from personal choices and actions than just external circumstances alone according to La Bruyere’s perspective.

The overall interpretation is that La Bruyere believes poverty may enable or exacerbate crime, but the ultimate “father” or root cause is failures of character, intelligence or willpower that lead one to engage in criminal acts despite having alternatives, even if imperfect, available to them. So he appears to attribute crime more to internal deficiencies than just external conditions like socioeconomic status.

Birthday: August 16, 1645 – Death: May 11, 1696