Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Afford It

Meaning of Jean-Jacques Rousseau Money Quote: saying when we want things we can’t afford, we feel we are in poverty, even if wealthy. Jean-Jacques Rousseau said:
 

 

“Every time we seek something that we can’t afford, we can be counted as poor, how much money we may actually have” — Jean-Jacques Rousseau

This quote from philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau is conveying that true wealth is not solely defined by the amount of money or possessions one has. Rather, it’s about living within one’s means and not constantly desiring things that are beyond one’s financial capabilities.

The quote suggests that even if someone earns a high income or has significant assets, if they are always wanting more and coveting goods they realistically cannot afford, then in an important sense they remain “poor.”

True affluence, according to Rousseau, involves being content with one’s circumstances and avoiding the mindset of always needing more.

So the quote aims to reframe how we should think about wealth and poverty – the measure is not just dollar amounts but also having prudent spending habits aligned with one’s actual financial resources and situation.

Birthday: June 28, 1712 – Death: July 2, 1778

Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Business Politics

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Money Quote from the 18th century saying morality weighed heavily in the lives of politicians of the past, but we’ve gotten to the point business success is more important than morals. Jean-Jacques Rousseau said:
 

 

“Ancient politicians talked incessantly about morality and virtue; our politicians talk only about business and money” — Jean-Jacques Rousseau

This quote from Jean-Jacques Rousseau suggests that politics and political discourse have changed significantly over time. He notes that in ancient times, politicians and public discussions tended to focus more on ideals of morality, virtue, and principles.

However, according to Rousseau, modern politicians in his era have shifted the emphasis solely to practical business matters and monetary concerns. The quote implies this change has come at the expense of higher ethical values and social ideals.

Rousseau appears to view the transition critically, seeing it as a decline where politicians prioritize financial and economic issues over more philosophically important discussions about morality, justice, rights, civic duty and the greater good of society.

Birthday: June 28, 1712 – Death: July 2, 1778

Jean Jacques Rousseau: Enslaving Pursuit

Jean Jacques Rousseau Money Quote saying keeping what we already possess can provide peace and satisfaction – but chasing after ever more gain keeps us instead in chains. Jean Jacques Rousseau said:
 

 

“The money you have gives you freedom; the money you pursue enslaves you” — Jean Jacques Rousseau

This quote from Jean-Jacques Rousseau is about how money can either empower or imprison people depending on one’s relationship with it. He suggests that having a certain amount of financial resources and assets provides freedom – it allows one to meet basic needs and have more flexibility and opportunities in life. However, constantly pursuing ever greater wealth and being preoccupied with acquiring money leads to a type of slavery or loss of freedom.

When money becomes the primary goal and focus, it can control and dictate one’s behaviors and choices rather than the other way around. The quote conveys that true freedom lies not in the endless pursuit of money, but in reaching a satisfactory level of financial security and then using remaining resources to live freely according to one’s values rather than being driven by monetary wants and needs.

Birthday: June 28, 1712 – Death: July 2, 1778

Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Bankrupt Infidel

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Money Quote saying of the London stock exchange that all faiths deal as though nothing divides them until they lose their wealth. Jean-Jacques Rousseau said:
 

 

“Jew, Mohammedan and Christian deal with each other as though they were all of the same faith, and only apply the word infidel to people who go bankrupt” — Jean-Jacques Rousseau

In this quote, Jean-Jacques Rousseau is commenting on how people of different religious faiths (Jews, Muslims and Christians) often interact and conduct business with one another in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation, despite their theological differences.

However, he notes that the one time these religious labels do seem to matter is when applying the pejorative term “infidel” or non-believer – which is typically used only for those who are financially untrustworthy due to bankruptcy.

The quote suggests that in the economic realm, religious affiliations take a back seat to solvency, with insolvency being the sole instance where faith or lack thereof becomes a distinguishing factor.

Rousseau appears to be critiquing how commerce can undermine religious tolerance by reducing people to creditworthiness above all else.

Birthday: June 28, 1712 – Death: July 2, 1778

Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Can’t Afford Poor

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Money Quote saying that being poor means our desires are bigger than our current income. Jean-Jacques Rousseau said:
 

 

“Every time we seek something that we can’t afford, we can be counted as poor, how much money we may actually have” — Jean-Jacques Rousseau

This quote from philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau is conveying that true wealth is not solely defined by the amount of money or possessions one has. Rather, it’s about living within one’s means and not constantly desiring things that are beyond one’s financial capabilities.

The quote suggests that even if someone earns a high income or has significant assets, if they are always wanting more and coveting goods they realistically cannot afford, then in an important sense they remain “poor.” True affluence, according to Rousseau, involves being content with one’s circumstances and avoiding the mindset of always needing more.

So the quote aims to reframe how we should think about wealth and poverty – the measure is not just dollar amounts but also having prudent spending habits aligned with one’s actual financial resources and situation.

Birthday: June 28, 1712 – Death: July 2, 1778

Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Wealthy Wants

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Money Quote saying whenever we yearn to have that which we can’t pay for, then we may be considered poor, without wealth. Jean-Jacques Rousseau said:
 

 

“Being wealthy isn’t just a question of having lots of money. It’s a question of what we want. Wealth isn’t an absolute, it’s relative to desire. Every time we seek something that we can’t afford, we can be counted as poor, how much money we may actually have” — Jean-Jacques Rousseau

In this quote, Jean-Jacques Rousseau is expressing that true wealth is not solely defined by the dollar amount in one’s bank account. Rather, he argues that wealth is relative to an individual’s desires and what they actually want in life.

According to Rousseau, even if someone earns a high income, if they are constantly wanting things that are beyond their financial means or ability to afford, then in an important sense they can still be considered “poor.”

He suggests that true wealth involves being content with one’s circumstances and avoiding the mindset of always needing more.

So through this quote, Rousseau aims to reframe how we should think about the concept of wealth – it’s not just about accumulating as much money as possible, but also having prudent spending habits aligned with living within one’s financial resources and situation.

Birthday: June 28, 1712 – Death: July 2, 1778

Jean-Jacques Rousseau on Acquiring Millions

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Money Quotation saying planting, nurturing and harvesting money from it’s own seed takes more effort than obtaining the seed. Jean-Jacques Rousseau said:
 

 

“Money is the seed of money, and the first guinea is sometimes more difficult to acquire than the second million” — Jean-Jacques Rousseau

In this quote, Jean-Jacques Rousseau is conveying that acquiring wealth gets exponentially easier once a person obtains an initial amount of capital. He suggests that earning one’s first unit of currency or “guinea” can often be much more challenging than amassing subsequent, larger sums of money.

This is because that initial seed money allows a person to start generating returns through things like interest, investments, or using funds to make more money through a business venture.

So according to Rousseau, wealth tends to snowball over time, as the first small amount of savings or profits makes it much simpler to multiply one’s assets significantly.

The quote implies that getting started on the path to prosperity is frequently the hardest part, and that money has the potential to beget more money for those who are able to obtain even a modest initial stake.

Birthday: June 28, 1712 – Death: July 2, 1778