John Steinbeck: Profit Property

Meaning of John Steinbeck Money Quote: saying it doesn’t profit a man to gain the world while having health issues of old age. John Steinbeck said:

 

 

“What can it profit a man to gain the whole world and to come to his property with a gastric ulcer, a blown prostate, and bifocals?” — John Steinbeck

In this quote, John Steinbeck is questioning whether single-mindedly pursuing wealth and material gain is truly worthwhile if it comes at the cost of one’s health and well-being. He asks rhetorically what good it does a person to “gain the whole world” if in the process they end up in poor physical condition with ailments like a “gastric ulcer, a blown prostate, and bifocals.”

Steinbeck appears to be suggesting that amassing great riches is empty if it leaves one with medical issues and needing corrective devices. Overall, the quote conveys Steinbeck’s view that prioritizing health over wealth accumulation is important and implies a balanced life is better than exclusively chasing profit according to this interpretation.

Birthday: February 27, 1902 – Death: December 20, 1968

John Steinbeck: Cost Money Cheap

Meaning of John Steinbeck Money Quote: saying when there are no costs but money, what you purchase is inexpensive. John Steinbeck said:
 

 

“Anything that just costs money is cheap” — John Steinbeck

In this money quote, John Steinbeck is making a philosophical point about the true value and cost of things. When he says “anything that just costs money is cheap”, Steinbeck means that if the only requirement to obtain something is financial payment, then it is not truly valuable or expensive in a deeper sense.

His view appears to be that genuinely important or high-quality things in life often require non-monetary costs like time, effort, sacrifice or skill acquisition to attain.

So in essence, the quote suggests Steinbeck believes the worth of a possession or experience is defined more by what else was invested beyond mere currency to obtain it, and anything readily affordable solely with wealth may not be of great substance or meaning.

Overall, he appears to be arguing that money alone does not determine an item’s true cost or worth.

Birthday: February 27, 1902 – Death: December 20, 1968

John Steinbeck: Bank Monster

Meaning of John Steinbeck Money Quote: saying a bank is controlled by forces other than the men that created it, they can’t control it. John Steinbeck said:

 

 

“The bank is something more than men, I tell you. It’s the monster. Men made it, but they can’t control it” — John Steinbeck

In this quote, John Steinbeck is characterizing how financial institutions like banks can take on a life of their own beyond human control. When he refers to “the bank” as “the monster”, Steinbeck suggests it has become a formidable force that dominates over people.

He notes that while banks were created by “men”, they have grown so large and powerful that they can no longer be fully “controlled” even by their creators.

The quote conveys Steinbeck’s view that once established, organizations in the economic sphere like banks accumulate their own momentum and interests that may supersede human oversight or direction.

Overall, Steinbeck appears to be criticizing how banks have amassed outsized influence that exceeds what was intended by their original architects according to this interpretation.

Birthday: February 27, 1902 – Death: December 20, 1968

John Steinbeck: Money No Friends

Meaning of John Steinbeck Money Quote: saying money cannot be called friendly and attracts mostly it’s own kind, more money. John Steinbeck said:

 

 

“Money is not nice. Money got no friends but more money” — John Steinbeck

In this quote, John Steinbeck is making a critical observation about the nature of money. When he says “Money is not nice” and that it “got no friends but more money”, Steinbeck appears to be suggesting that wealth in and of itself does not lead to happiness, fulfillment or true relationships.

His view seems to be that money only begets the pursuit of more money, not real-world value or interpersonal connections.

Overall, the quote conveys Steinbeck’s perspective that an abundance of financial capital does not equate to virtue, community or intrinsic rewards – the only loyalty is to accumulating greater riches according to this interpretation. Steinbeck portrays money as a means rather than an end, implying true life satisfaction lies elsewhere.

Birthday: February 27, 1902 – Death: December 20, 1968

John Steinbeck: Just Enough Money

Meaning of John Steinbeck Money Quote: saying the desire to have just enough money is elusive, there is either none or too little money. John Steinbeck said:
 

 

“There is no such thing as just enough money. Only two measures: No Money and Not Enough Money” — John Steinbeck

In this quote, John Steinbeck is making a philosophical point about people’s relationship with money. When he says there is no such thing as “just enough money,” only “No Money” or “Not Enough Money,” Steinbeck appears to be arguing that most individuals are never fully satisfied with their financial situation. Even those with significant wealth still desire more.

His view seems to be that it is human nature to always feel a lack and want increased funds, rather than there being an objective threshold of “enough.” By reducing the measures to these two extremes, Steinbeck simplifies the psychology around money as either having it or lacking it, with no in-between stable place of sufficiency.

Overall, the quote conveys Steinbeck’s perspective that complete financial contentment is rarely if ever achieved due to innate human tendencies towards greed and insecurity.

Birthday: February 27, 1902 – Death: December 20, 1968

John Steinbeck: Bank Monster Growing

John Steinbeck Money Quote saying bank must constantly grow in profit and can’t stop without dying – profit and growth is their reason to exist. John Steinbeck said:
 

 

“The bank – the monster has to have profits all the time. It can’t wait. It’ll die. No, taxes go on. When the monster stops growing, it dies. It can’t stay one size” — John Steinbeck

In this quote, John Steinbeck is using the metaphor of a “monster” to refer to banks and businesses. He’s saying that these institutions need to continually grow and expand in order to survive. If a bank or company stops increasing its profits and “stays one size”, it will essentially “die” and cease to be viable.

Steinbeck implies that perpetual growth is a requirement built into the very nature of corporations and financial systems. The overall message seems to be that banks and businesses are like living things that must keep feeding/growing, and if they stop expanding their bottom line they will fail and collapse.

Birthday: February 27, 1902 – Death: December 20, 1968

John Steinbeck: Easy to Make Money

John Steinbeck Money Quote saying If money is your goal – it’s easy to get it, but the cash won’t mean love or admiration or luxurious lifestyle. John Steinbeck said:
 

 

“Money’s easy to make if it’s money you want. But with a few exceptions people don’t want money. They want luxury, and they want love, and they want admiration” — John Steinbeck

In this quote, John Steinbeck is making a distinction between wanting money itself versus wanting what money can provide. He states that while accumulating wealth or “making money” is relatively straightforward if that’s one’s sole goal, for most people it is not money they truly desire – it is the luxuries, love, and admiration that money can afford.

Steinbeck appears to be arguing that deep down, what humans generally crave are not the monetary units but rather the experiences, relationships and social status that financial resources can facilitate.

The quote conveys Steinbeck’s view that money is primarily a means to obtain intangible life fulfillments rather than an end in itself, for the majority of people desire emotional and social gratification over currency according to this interpretation.

Birthday: February 27, 1902 – Death: December 20, 1968

John Steinbeck: Money Changes Symptoms

John Steinbeck Money Quotation saying having sufficient money will not remove sickness, but will vary how it manifests. John Steinbeck said:
 

 

“Money does not change the sickness, only the symptoms” — John Steinbeck

In this quote, John Steinbeck is making a philosophical point about the limitations of money in addressing deeper personal or societal issues. When he says that money does not change “the sickness, only the symptoms”, Steinbeck appears to mean that wealth cannot cure underlying problems or root causes – it can only temporarily alleviate outward manifestations or indications of trouble like unhappiness, stress, dysfunction.

His view seems to be that financial means may mask or relieve surface-level signs of distress for a time, but do not eliminate the fundamental “sickness” that is causing difficulties.

Overall, the quote conveys Steinbeck’s perspective that money provides temporary relief but not permanent solutions, as it fails to resolve underlying issues according to this interpretation.

Birthday: February 27, 1902 – Death: December 20, 1968