John Maynard Keynes: Owing Bank

Meaning of John Maynard Keynes Money Quote: saying the amount owed by borrowers changes the banking relationship, depending on amount owed. John Maynard Keynes said:

 

 

“If you owe your bank a hundred pounds, you have a problem. But if you owe a million, it has” — John Maynard Keynes

This quote from John Maynard Keynes suggests that owing a small, personal debt to a bank could burden the individual debtor, but owing a massive sum transforms the situation such that the bank also has cause for concern. Some key points in interpreting his perspective:

• Keynes implies that a minor, individual debt of “a hundred pounds” poses difficulties primarily for the borrower, but “a million” owed shifts the dynamic so that the lender also faces issues.
• He portrays large corporate or national debts as creating vulnerabilities for banks/creditors as well due to risks of default, whereas personal loans may trouble mainly the borrower.
• Keynes’ perspective reflects a viewpoint that the scale of debt influences whether one is primarily a debtor or creditor, with wealthier debtors wielding disproportionate influence on lenders as the amounts owed increase substantially.

However, a balanced interpretation is that while Keynes aimed to highlight how leverage cuts both ways, reasonable experts also note that responsible lending and borrowing can enable important goals for individuals and economies alike if managed prudently as part of comprehensive strategies factoring in changing conditions over the long run. The quote conveys Keynes’ observation, but the complex realities of finance require open discussion and evidence-based reforms balancing opportunities, consumer protections and stability in good faith.

Birthday: June 5, 1883 – Death: April 21, 1946

John Maynard Keynes: Love Money

John Maynard Keynes Money Quote saying The biggest issue we have is those who love money too much. John Maynard Keynes said:
 

 

“The moral problem of our age is concerned with the love of money” — John Maynard Keynes

In this quote, John Maynard Keynes is identifying what he sees as the central moral issue or challenge of his era – “the love of money.” By this, Keynes appears to mean that society had become excessively focused on the pursuit and accumulation of wealth, prioritizing financial gain over other moral considerations.

He may have felt this prioritization of money above all else could undermine social cohesion and encourage selfishness if left unchecked. The quote suggests Keynes viewed the obsession with and worship of money as a significant moral problem of his time, one that needed to be addressed for a just and well-functioning society.

Overall, Keynes seems to be warning of the corrosive social effects that could arise if the desire for riches, rather than ethical principles, dominated people’s motivations and choices.

Birthday: June 5, 1883 – Death: April 21, 1946

John Maynard Keynes: Capitalism Nastiest

John Maynard Keynes Money Quote saying Economic policy is swayed by the wealthiest people with intentions that benefit themselves and others who have similar goals with no regard for the general welfare. John Maynard Keynes said:
 

 

“Capitalism is the extraordinary belief that the nastiest of men with the nastiest of motives will somehow work for the benefit of all” — John Maynard Keynes

In this quote, John Maynard Keynes is critically commenting on capitalism. He characterizes the core belief of capitalism as the idea that self-interested, even “nasty” individuals primarily motivated by their own selfish gains will ultimately benefit society as a whole through their actions.

Keynes seems to view this as an “extraordinary belief” since it relies on the assumption that private vices can become public virtues through the invisible hand of the market. The quote suggests Keynes was skeptical that purely profit-driven behavior, without regard for broader social impacts, would necessarily lead to outcomes that improve conditions for all.

He implies capitalism puts too much faith in the system’s ability to channel individual greed and narrow motives towards the common good.

Birthday: June 5, 1883 – Death: April 21, 1946

John Maynard Keynes on Rational Investments

John Maynard Keynes Money Quotation saying belief in a rational market and rational decision-making when very little is rational in the world around us, represents a serious folly. John Maynard Keynes said:
 

 

“There is nothing so disastrous as a rational investment policy in an irrational world” — John Maynard Keynes

In this quote, John Maynard Keynes is cautioning against relying too heavily on rational or logical investment strategies when making decisions in an unpredictable and often “irrational” global economic environment.

He seems to be suggesting that meticulously following a rational, analytical investment policy may lead to poor outcomes if broader market forces or behaviors are being driven more by irrational psychology, emotions or other non-rational factors outside of an investor’s control.

Keynes appears to be emphasizing that rationality has limitations, and strict adherence to a rational investment approach could prove “disastrous” when the actual conditions in the world do not behave rationally as models may predict.

The quote implies flexibility and consideration of irrational influences may be prudent for investors navigating uncertain, real-world economic conditions.

Birthday: June 5, 1883 – Death: April 21, 1946

John Maynard Keynes: Debauchery of Currency

John Maynard Keynes on Basis of Society and how to overturn the currency of a free society by controlling value of money and controlling it.
 

 

“There is no subtler, no surer means of overturning the existing basis of society than to debauch the currency” — John Maynard Keynes

In this quote, John Maynard Keynes is referring to the damaging effects that irresponsible monetary policies can have on society. When “currency” is “debauched”, it means the money supply and value of a currency is mismanaged in some way, such as through excessive money printing or inflation.

Keynes is suggesting that allowing currency to severely lose value in this manner is one of the most effective, though subtle, ways to undermine and “overturn the existing basis of society.” When people cannot rely on their money retaining worth, it destabilizes the entire economic system and social order that formed around that currency.

So in essence, Keynes is warning of the revolutionary consequences that can arise from a breakdown in sound fiscal governance and oversight of a nation’s money.

Birthday: June 5, 1883 – Death: April 21, 1946

John Maynard Keynes: Past Money

John Maynard Keynes Money Quotation saying the past informs the future and cash flows toward the present from the past. John Maynard Keynes said:
 

 

“The importance of money flows from it being a link between the present and the future” — John Maynard Keynes

In this quote, John Maynard Keynes is explaining his view of why money is important. He states that money derives its significance from serving as a “link between the present and the future.”

By this, Keynes seems to mean that money allows people to exchange value they create or possess in the present for security, goods, services or opportunities in the future. Having money facilitates planning for the future and provides the ability to access resources down the road.

So in Keynes’ view, what gives money its worth and purpose is its function of connecting what people do and earn today with what they may need or want tomorrow. The quote characterizes money as a bridge between the present and future time periods in people’s lives.

Birthday: June 5, 1883 – Death: April 21, 1946

John Maynard Keynes: Building Empires

John Maynard Keynes Money Quotation saying building new empires fades to love of those already built as aging brings on conservatism and caution. John Maynard Keynes said:
 

 

“Most men love money and security more, and creation and construction less, as they get older” — John Maynard Keynes

John Maynard Keynes suggests that as people get older, their priorities tend to shift away from creative or entrepreneurial pursuits and more towards financial stability and security.

Keynes is observing that most individuals become more risk-averse and concerned with preserving what they have already built or accumulated as they age, rather than taking on new challenges or ventures that could disrupt their existing situation.

The quote implies that younger people may be more willing to take risks in order to build something new, whereas older individuals place greater value on maintaining what is already established in their lives from a financial perspective.

Birthday: June 5, 1883 – Death: April 21, 1946

John Maynard Keynes: Tax Avoidance

John Maynard Keynes Money Quotation saying avoiding taxes can become more expensive than paying them but carry enough benefit to find all legal means. John Maynard Keynes said:
 

 

“The avoidance of taxes is the only intellectual pursuit that carries any reward” — John Maynard Keynes

In this quote, John Maynard Keynes is making a witty commentary on taxes and intellectual pursuits. He suggests that while activities like philosophy, science, or academics may provide intellectual stimulation or fulfillment, they do not offer concrete “rewards” in the way that avoiding taxes does. By minimizing tax payments through legal loopholes or deductions, one can financially benefit.

So Keynes is jokingly saying the sole “intellectual pursuit” worth engaging in is tax avoidance/evasion, since that is the only intellectual exercise that results in an actual reward rather than simply knowledge. The quote wryly points out the incentive of prioritizing tax reduction over other intellectual interests due to the tangible monetary benefits.

Birthday: June 5, 1883 – Death: April 21, 1946