Thales: Neither Excessive Wealth

Meaning of Thales Money Quote: saying if a country is neither too rich nor too poor – justice is likely to rule. Thales said:

 

 

“If there is neither excessive wealth nor immoderate poverty in a nation, then justice may be said to prevail” — Thales

This quote from Thales suggests that a just or fair society is one where neither extreme wealth nor extreme poverty exist to an immoderate or excessive degree among the populace. Some key points in interpreting his perspective:

• Thales implies a balanced distribution of resources where most citizens experience neither affluence nor deprivation is the hallmark of a nation governed equitably.
• He portrays the prevalence of either great wealth or great poverty concentrated in some groups as signs that justice is not being served for all members of that community.
• However, reasonable people can disagree on what constitutes “excess” or where to draw lines around equitable outcomes, as debates continue on defining and implementing justice and fairness.
• A balanced interpretation acknowledges both Thales’ viewpoint promoting moderation and the ongoing nature of discussions around optimizing economic opportunity, shared prosperity and social welfare according to changing times and contexts.

Overall, the quote conveys Thales’ stance that a just system aims to avoid extremes at either end of the wealth spectrum that could undermine social cohesion or the common good. But the best analysis also considers counterarguments and recognizes that conceptualizing and operationalizing justice remains an ongoing process where multiple perspectives have merit.

George Orwell: Poverty Frees

Meaning of George Orwell Money Quote: saying being poor frees one from normal expectations, like money frees from working. George Orwell said:
 

 

“Poverty frees them from ordinary standards of behaviour, just as money frees people from work” — George Orwell

Orwell is comparing how poverty and money can both free people from certain social expectations or obligations. He’s saying that being poor frees people from the need to follow ordinary social standards of behavior because they are focused on basic survival instead. Similarly, having money frees people from the need to work in order to support themselves financially.

So both poverty and wealth allow people a kind of freedom from conventions or responsibilities that most people in society face. Orwell is highlighting how extremes of lack of resources or abundance of resources can both remove people from typical social constraints in their own ways.

Birthday: June 25, 1903 – Death: January 25, 1950

Plato: Wealth Poverty Parents

Plato Money Quote saying the wealthy and the poor see luxury or meanness. Plato said:
 

 

“Wealth and poverty; one is the parent of luxury and indolence, and the other of meanness and viciousness, and both of discontent” — Plato

This quote from Plato suggests that both wealth and poverty can have negative effects on one’s character and contentment. He implies that wealth may lead to indulgence and laziness, as it enables complacency, while poverty could breed stinginess and immorality since it involves constant lack and deprivation.

However, Plato also appears to be saying that both economic extremes ultimately result in the same outcome of inner discontent, as neither extreme – constant indulgence or constant deprivation – is conducive to true well-being or fulfillment.

The overall message seems to be that moderate means provide the most balanced and virtuous life, avoiding the pitfalls associated with either affluence or indigence alone.

Birthday: c. 427 – Death: 348 BC

Plato: Wealth Parent of Luxury

Plato Money Quote saying both wealth and poverty create their own problems and both lead to unhappiness. Plato said:
 

 

“Wealth is the parent of luxury and indolence, and poverty of meanness and viciousness, and both of discontent” — Plato

This quote from Plato suggests that both wealth and poverty can have negative effects on one’s character and contentment. He implies that wealth may lead to indulgence and laziness (“luxury and indolence”), as it enables complacency, while poverty could breed stinginess and immorality (“meanness and viciousness”) since it involves constant lack and deprivation.

However, Plato also appears to be saying that both economic extremes ultimately result in the same outcome of inner discontent, as neither extreme – constant indulgence or constant deprivation – is conducive to true well-being or fulfillment.

The overall message seems to be that moderate means provide the most balanced and virtuous life, avoiding the pitfalls associated with either affluence or indigence alone.

Birthday: c. 427 – Death: 348 BC

Daniel Defoe: Wise Despise Poverty

Daniel Defoe Money Quote saying wealthy have wisdom and the educated despise poverty. Daniel Defoe said:
 

 

“He that is rich is wise, And all men learned poverty despise” — Daniel Defoe

This quote from Daniel Defoe suggests that wealth brings wisdom, and those who are educated tend to look down on poverty. It could mean that having money allows people to have new experiences and learn lessons that come with wealth, making them wise. Or it could mean that wealthy people see themselves as wiser than poor people.

However, the quote could also be interpreted ironically – that those who are rich may think they are wise but are not necessarily so, and that the educated do not truly understand or appreciate the challenges of poverty. The best interpretation is likely open to debate as reasonable people can disagree on this point.

Birthday: c. 1660 – Death: April 24, 1731

Temple Treasury Offerings: Mark

Mark 12:41-44 Money Quote saying Jesus recognizes that the wealthy are donating less than the poor as a proportion of their wealth. Mark 12:41-44 said:
 

 

“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on”” — Mark 12:41-44

In this Bible verse, Jesus observes people making offerings or donations at the temple. He notices that many wealthy individuals contribute large sums. However, he singles out a poor widow who gives an extremely modest offering of just “two very small copper coins.”

Jesus then explains to his disciples that despite her meager donation being worth only a “few cents,” this widow has actually given more than anyone else proportionally. While the rich donated from their surplus wealth, she sacrificed all she had – “everything…she had to live on” according to the passage.

The best interpretation is that Jesus is highlighting how true generosity and sacrifice are measured not by the raw amount given, but by how much of one’s own resources are contributed. The small coins represented the widow’s entire livelihood, showing complete devotion of her limited means, whereas the wealthy gave only a fraction of their abundance.

Jesus appears to be commending the widow for demonstrating far greater commitment and trust in God through her donation than the rich donors according to the proportion of her gift.

Mohamad Safa: Richest Paid Taxes

Mohamad Safa Money Quote saying if the wealthiest people paid their share of taxes, we’d soon eliminate poverty and they’d still be richest. Mohamad Safa said:
 

 

“You know what would happen if the richest people in the world paid more taxes? They would still be the richest people and we will gradually eliminate poverty” — Mohamad Safa

In this quote, Mohamad Safa seems to be arguing that substantially increasing taxes on the extremely wealthy would not actually harm or meaningfully impact their current high economic standing. Specifically, Safa suggests that even if the richest individuals paid more in taxes:

• They would still retain their status as “the richest people” financially, though their wealth may be somewhat reduced.
• However, the increased tax revenue could go toward programs and policies that “gradually eliminate poverty” over time by supporting social services, education, healthcare and other initiatives that lift communities out of destitution.

The best interpretation is that Safa believes higher taxes on the top earners are a means to a more equitable and compassionate end – reducing societal inequalities and hardships faced by the most impoverished, without truly threatening the economic dominance currently held by the world’s richest individuals according to their post-tax wealth and resources. From Safa’s perspective, greater contributions from the wealthy can significantly improve living standards for all at minimal personal cost.

Leviticus 25: Not Lend Money Usury

Leviticus 25 Money Quote saying don’t be usurious or attempt to profit from the misfortune of others in poverty or hunger. Leviticus 25 said:
 

 

“If one of your brethren becomes poor, and falls into poverty among you, then you shall help him, like a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you. Take no usury or interest from him; but fear your God, that your brother may live with you. You shall not lend him your money for usury, nor lend him your food at a profit” — Leviticus 25

This verse from the book of Leviticus in the Bible provides guidance on how Israelites were instructed to treat their fellow Israelites who fell into poverty. On a surface level, it says that if a Hebrew person became poor, they should be helped and supported by others in the community so that they may continue living among their brethren.

More deeply, it prohibited charging interest or profiting from lending them money or food, telling them instead to “fear your God” and help their brother freely in his time of need.

The overarching interpretation is that the verse promoted a social ethic of mutual aid and protection of the vulnerable within their own ranks, ensuring basic support for any member who struggled financially so they would not be further exploited or marginalized due to their poverty.