Karl Marx: Money Alienate Essence

Meaning of Karl Marx Money Quote: saying money can be worshipped, even though it is alien to our core identity. Karl Marx said:

 

 

“Money is the alienated essence of man’s labor and life; and this alien essence dominates him as he worships it” — Karl Marx

In this quote, Karl Marx is criticizing the dominance of money and capitalism over human life and labor. He argues that through the capitalist system, the essence or value of people’s work (“man’s labor and life”) becomes alienated or separated from themselves and takes the form of money.

Marx then says this alien essence (money) comes to dominate people, as they essentially worship and revolve their lives around the pursuit of accumulating more money.

So in summary, Marx is suggesting that under capitalism, money takes on outsized importance and power over society as people are compelled to prioritize the acquisition of wealth through their labor, leading them to be dominated by this “alienated essence” of their own work and existence that they create but does not truly belong to them.

Birthday: May 5, 1818 – Death: March 14, 1883

Leland Stanford: Labor and Skill

Meaning of Leland Stanford Money Quote: saying money facilitates cooperation between workers and their skills. Leland Stanford said:
 

 

“Money is the great tool through whose means labor and skill become universally co-operative” — Leland Stanford

In this quote, Leland Stanford seems to be emphasizing the important role that money plays in facilitating cooperation and productivity in an economy. Some key points:

• Stanford refers to money as a “great tool” – suggesting it functions practically as an instrument enabling coordination and exchange of value.
• He states that through money, “labor and skill become universally co-operative” across a wide network or system.
• This implies that money provides a medium through which the efforts, talents and outputs of diverse individuals and businesses can be connected, combined and leveraged together in mutually beneficial ways.
• Stanford’s quote conveys the perspective that money serves as a lubricant allowing specialization and division of labor to flourish as it eases collaboration and trade between producers across distances.

Overall, the quote portrays Stanford’s view that money is a critical mechanism or “tool” that unlocks greater cooperation, interdependence and productivity potential by acting as a bridge facilitating the exchange of value between all participants in an economy according to their varying skills, resources and needs. It highlights money’s role in optimizing collaboration on a large scale.

Birthday: March 9, 1824 – Death: June 21, 1893

Colonel Sanders: No Amount of Money

Colonel Sanders Money Quote saying nothing would stop him from doing his best. Colonel Sanders said:
 

 

“No hours, nor amount of labor, nor amount of money would deter me from giving the best that there was in me” — Colonel Sanders

In this quote, Colonel Sanders seems to be conveying his relentless dedication to his work and strong internal motivation. By stating that neither “hours” worked, “amount of labor”, nor “amount of money” could deter him from “giving the best that there was in me”, Sanders implies he was uncompromising in his commitment to excellence and completely driven to put maximum effort into his business.

The quote portrays Sanders’ perspective that he was intrinsically motivated to pour his full passion and energy into Kentucky Fried Chicken, regardless of obstacles or lack of external rewards, in order to achieve the highest quality results. Overall, he appears to have believed in striving to do one’s best work without reservation or concern for difficulties, sacrifices or financial incentives.

Birthday: September 9, 1890 – Death: December 16, 1980

Adam Smith: Labor Wealth

Adam Smith Money Quote saying It was work that bought the world, not money or precious metals, but labor that bought the wealth of the world. Adam Smith said:
 

 

“Labour was the first price, the original purchase – money that was paid for all things. It was not by gold or by silver, but by labour, that all wealth of the world was originally purchased” — Adam Smith

In this quote, Adam Smith is discussing the origins and fundamental role of labor in the creation of wealth. He states that “labor was the first price, the original purchase-money” used to obtain all things of value in the world.

Smith is arguing that throughout history, it was not gold, silver or other currencies that were primarily used to acquire wealth, but rather human labor itself. People exchanged their labor and work as the original “payment” to produce useful goods, services and assets.

In essence, the quote establishes labor as the original and most basic form of payment that drove early economic transactions and allowed for the accumulation of wealth over time. Smith sees labor as the primary commodity exchanged by humans to fulfill their needs and desires, long before money was established. It reflects his view that labor is the ultimate source of all value in an economy.

Birthday: c. 16 June – Death: July 17, 1790

Andrew Yang: Labor 1, Capital 364

Andrew Yang Money Quote saying We celebrate those who create capital for only a single day, while capital gets all the rest of the days. Andrew Yang said:
 

“Labor got one day. Capital got the other 364” — Andrew Yang

Labor got one day. Capital got the other 364.

— Andrew Yang🧢🇺🇸 (@AndrewYang) September 15, 2020

François de La Rochefoucauld: Pain

François de La Rochefoucauld Money Quote saying hard physical labor distracts the poor with pain to keep them happy somehow. François de La Rochefoucauld said:
 

 

“Bodily labor alleviates the pains of the mind and from this arises the happiness of the poor” — François de La Rochefoucauld

In this quote, François de La Rochefoucauld seems to be conveying that physical labor provides mental benefits to those in poverty. By stating that “bodily labor alleviates the pains of the mind” and this leads to “the happiness of the poor”, La Rochefoucauld implies that staying busy through work provides distraction and fulfillment that counteracts stresses of lacking resources.

The quote portrays La Rochefoucauld’s perspective that keeping active through work, no matter how strenuous, can help the poor find contentment by engaging their minds and bodies, leaving less attention for dwelling on difficulties of their circumstances. Overall, he appears to be suggesting that poverty, while challenging, may be alleviated by labor that occupies both mind and hands, providing mental relief as well as physical sustenance.

Birthday: September 15, 1613 – Death: March 17, 1680

Samuel Johnson: Recompense Labor

Samuel Johnson Money Quote saying it’s better to pay for work than to give money away for charity. Samuel Johnson said:
 

 

“You are much surer that you are doing good when you pay money to those who work, as the recompense of their labor, than when you give money merely in charity” — Samuel Johnson

In this quote, Samuel Johnson is contrasting paying others for their labor or work versus giving money as charity. He argues that providing monetary compensation to people “as the recompense of their labor” provides greater certainty that good is being done compared to simply giving money as charity or aid.

Johnson seems to believe paying wages for services rendered or products created treats the recipients with more dignity and empowerment by valuing their contributions, whereas charity can foster dependence and imply the recipients have done nothing to earn the money.

The quote suggests Johnson viewed fair compensation for work as a more ethical and effective way to help others financially than unconditional charity or handouts alone.

Birthday: September 18, 1709 – Death: December 13, 1784

Franklin Jones: Labor Saving Device

Franklin P. Jones Money Quote saying money is the most effective labor as always. Franklin P. Jones said:
 

 

“The most efficient labor-saving device is still money” — Franklin P. Jones