Josh Billings: Reputation Outlasts

Josh Billings Money Quote saying it’s rare that a reputation lasts longer than cash. Josh Billings said:
 

“It ain’t often that a man’s reputation outlasts his money” — Josh Billings

In this quote, Josh Billings is making an observation about the relationship between money and reputation. By saying that a man’s reputation does not often outlast his money, Billings suggests that wealth and financial standing tend to be more enduring aspects of how a person is viewed than their good name or character.

The implication is that once monetary resources fade, so too does much of the respect and renown a person may have attained. Overall, Billings appears to be commenting that reputation alone is not always enough – maintaining economic prosperity also plays a key role in sustaining high public regard over the long run.

Birthday: April 21, 1818 – Death: October 14, 1885

Josh Billings: Pity Cost Nothing

Josh Billings Money Quote saying there is no value and no expense to pity. Josh Billings said:
 

 

“Pity cost nothing and ain’t worth nothing” — Josh Billings

In this quote, Josh Billings is making a cynical observation about the value of pity. By stating that pity “cost nothing and ain’t worth nothing”, Billings implies that expressing feelings of sorrow or compassion for someone else’s misfortune does not actually require any real sacrifice or have meaningful impact.

The overall message seems to be that pity is an empty gesture that provides no tangible benefit – it is an emotion without true substance or worth. Billings appears to be cautioning against superficial or perfunctory displays of pity that do not involve genuine empathy, aid or effort on behalf of those who are suffering.

Birthday: April 21, 1818 – Death: October 14, 1885

Josh Billings: Remember the Poor

Josh Billings Money Quote saying those in poverty suffer neglect from those who could help simply by acknowledging and showing compassion without expense. Josh Billings said:
 

 

“Remember the poor, it costs nothing” — Josh Billings

In this quote, Josh Billings is commenting on how remembering or thinking about those less fortunate requires no financial sacrifice or resources. By stating that remembering the poor “costs nothing”, Billings implies that showing compassion even through simple acts like keeping the disadvantaged in one’s thoughts can be done without expending money.

The overall message seems to be that even when one is unable to provide direct aid, retaining empathy for the plight of the impoverished in one’s mind is a small way to acknowledge their situation that demands no payment.

Birthday: April 21, 1818 – Death: October 14, 1885

Josh Billings: Poor Accident Consolation

Josh Billings Money Quote saying anyone who has not stumbled into poverty by mistake is purposely poor – so that is some consolation. Josh Billings said:
 

 

“I am a poor man, but I have this consolation: I am poor by accident, not by design” — Josh Billings

In this quote, Josh Billings is commenting on his status as a poor man. By stating that his poverty is due to “accident, not design”, Billings implies that his financial circumstances are not the result of deliberate choices or faults of his own character.

Rather, his poverty seems to have been brought on by circumstances outside of his control or unintended consequences.

The overall message appears to be that while he finds himself in difficult economic straits, at least he does not bear personal responsibility or guilt for his condition. It was simply bad luck or accident, not flaws or decisions on his part, that led to his impoverishment.

Birthday: April 21, 1818 – Death: October 14, 1885

Josh Billings on Reputational Longevity

Josh Billings Funny Money Quote saying it’s rare that positive reputations remain longer than the bank account attached to them. Josh Billings said:
 

 

“It ain’t often that a man’s reputation outlasts his money” — Josh Billings

In this quote, Josh Billings is making an observation about the relationship between money and reputation. By saying that a man’s reputation does not often outlast his money, Billings suggests that wealth and financial standing tend to be more enduring aspects of how a person is viewed than their good name or character.

The implication is that once monetary resources fade, so too does much of the respect and renown a person may have attained. Overall, Billings appears to be commenting that reputation alone is not always enough – maintaining economic prosperity also plays a key role in sustaining high public regard over the long run.

Birthday: April 21, 1818 – Death: October 14, 1885

Josh Billings on Moral Value of Finance

Josh Billings Money Quotation saying having no other interests than money can suggest moral bankruptcy. Josh Billings said:
 

 

“The man whose only pleasure in life is making money, weighs less on the moral scale than an angleworm” — Josh Billings

This quote from Josh Billings suggests that a person whose sole source of pleasure and motivation in life is the pursuit and accumulation of wealth possesses less moral worth than even a lowly angleworm. The best interpretation is that according to Billings, an obsessive focus on amassing money as one’s only goal or pleasure makes them less virtuous and admirable than an insignificant creature like an angleworm.

Someone who prioritizes profit above all else, without regard for ethical values, relationships or higher purposes, weighs very lightly when measured against genuine moral standards. In Billings’ view, a life centered exclusively around making monetary gain without other meaningful priorities is a shallow and deficient existence that is of little positive consequence.

Birthday: April 21, 1818 – Death: October 14, 1885

Josh Billings on Impudence vs. Cash

Josh Billings Money Quotation saying impudence is the next best thing to cash in situations where the audience has enough naivete. Josh Billings said:
 
<  

“I haven’t got as much money as some folks, but I’ve got as much impudence as any of them, and that’s the next thing to money” — Josh Billings

In this quote, Josh Billings is making a humorous observation about the value of boldness and audacity even when lacking wealth. By saying he may not have as much money as others but has as much “impudence” or boldness, Billings implies that swagger and confidence can compensate to some degree for a lack of financial resources.

The overall message seems to be that for those with little money, possessing pluck, nerve and willingness to speak one’s mind freely can still open doors and command respect in a similar way to having a large bank account. Billings is suggesting impudence or boldness is an asset that can act “as the next best thing” to actual money in certain situations.

Birthday: April 21, 1818 – Death: October 14, 1885

Josh Billings on Craving More Knowledge

Josh Billings Money Quotation saying once a bit of knowledge is gained, it makes us crave more – a bit like money. Josh Billings said:
 

 

“Knowledge is like money: the more he gets, the more he craves” — Josh Billings

In this quote, Josh Billings is making a humorous observation about the value of boldness and audacity even when lacking wealth. By saying he may not have as much money as others but has as much “impudence” or boldness, Billings implies that swagger and confidence can compensate to some degree for a lack of financial resources.

The overall message seems to be that for those with little money, possessing pluck, nerve and willingness to speak one’s mind freely can still open doors and command respect in a similar way to having a large bank account. Billings is suggesting impudence or boldness is an asset that can act “as the next best thing” to actual money in certain situations.

Birthday: April 21, 1818 – Death: October 14, 1885