Ralph Waldo Emerson: Born to Be Rich

Ralph Waldo Emerson Money Quote saying we are all born with the ability to create wealth by using our minds to alter or mold nature with our faculties. Ralph Waldo Emerson said:
 

 

“Man was born to be rich, or, inevitably grows rich by the use of his faculties; by the union of thought with nature. Property is an intellectual production” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

In this quote, Ralph Waldo Emerson is making a philosophical argument about the origins and nature of wealth. When he states that “Man was born to be rich” or will “inevitably grows rich by the use of his faculties”, Emerson means that humanity’s innate talents and abilities, if properly applied, will naturally lead to prosperity over time.

He elaborates that it is through the “union of thought with nature”, i.e. applying the mind’s ideas and problem-solving to the material world, that riches are produced. Emerson then asserts that “Property is an intellectual production”, implying that the generation of wealth through work is essentially an outgrowth and product of human cognition and skill.

Overall, the quote conveys Emerson’s view that affluence arises from exercising one’s mental faculties and creative talents upon the environment rather than resulting solely from external factors outside an individual’s control.

Birthday: May 25, 1803 – Death: April 27, 1882

Karl Marx: Buy & Possess Omnipotence

Karl Marx Money Quote saying having property and money bestows universal power upon its owner because it allows them to have whatever they are able to buy. Karl Marx said:
 

 

“By possessing the property of buying everything, by possessing the property of appropriating all objects, money is thus the object of eminent possession. The universality of its property is the omnipotence of its being. It is therefore regarded as an omnipotent being” — Karl Marx

In this quote, Karl Marx is characterizing money and the power it holds within a capitalist system. He argues that through its ability to purchase all goods and services, money essentially possesses a “universal property” that makes it all-powerful or “omnipotent”.

By having the quality of being able to “appropriate all objects” through market exchanges, Marx views money as taking on the attributes of an “eminent possession” or supremely valued asset.

He suggests money’s power comes from its function as a universal medium of exchange that can acquire any commodity, giving it an almost god-like “omnipotence of being” and making it the primary object of reverence within capitalism.

Overall, Marx is critiquing the outsized importance, control and worship afforded to money as the driving force of the economic system according to his analysis.

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

Frederick Douglass: No God But Wealth

Frederick Douglass Money Quote from an 1857 speech reflecting on how slave-holders and profiteers would respond to John the Disciple dismissing angelic visits from God to discuss wealth. Frederick Douglass said:
 

 

“But brother John, will it pay? Can money be made out of it? Will it make the rich richer, and the strong stronger? How will it affect property? In the eyes of such people, there is no God but wealth; no right and wrong but profit and loss” — Frederick Douglass

In this quote, Frederick Douglass is criticizing a perspective that only values wealth accumulation and prioritizes financial gain above all else.

He implies that some people see wealth as the sole measure of worth or “God” and judge all things based on whether they can increase property and profits rather than considerations of morality.

The quote suggests these individuals would only support an idea or action if it further enriched the rich and powerful, with no regard for justice, equality or ethics.

Douglass is highlighting how a singular focus on money above other principles can lead people to condone or condemn things solely on their potential financial impacts rather than rightness or wrongness.

Birthday: c. February 1817 – Death: February 20, 1895

Louisa May Alcott: Bothered With Cash

Louisa May Alcott in ‘Little Men’ Money Quote saying we can be so distracted by the demands of cash and property that we might better give it away instead of keeping it. Louisa May Alcott in ‘Little Men’ said:
 

 

“I’ve been so bothered with my property, that I’m tired of it, and don’t mean to save up any more, but give it away as I go along, and then nobody will envy me, or want to steal it, and I shan’t be suspecting folks and worrying about my old cash” — Louisa May Alcott

Alcott suggests that true goodness and kindness are the most valuable assets one can possess, as they are the only things that will endure beyond wealth and fame. In other words, when all material possessions and worldly success are lost, the only thing that remains is the goodness we have shown to others.

This quote emphasizes the importance of living a life of integrity, compassion, and selflessness, as these qualities will be the only things that truly matter in the end.

Birthday: November 29, 1832 – Death: March 6, 1888

Thomas Jefferson on Paper Money Abuses

Thomas Jefferson Money Quote saying risks and abuses of currency are inevitable. Thomas Jefferson said:
 

 

“That paper money has some advantages, is admitted. But that its abuses also are inevitable, and, by breaking up the measure of value, makes a lottery of all private property, cannot be denied” — Thomas Jefferson

This money quote suggests that Thomas Jefferson acknowledged paper money (or fiat currency not backed by gold/silver reserves) had certain benefits. However, he also believed that abuse and mismanagement of paper currency systems were inevitable due to their instability.

Jefferson appears to be arguing that when the value of money fluctuates unpredictably as the “measure of value” changes, it undermines people’s ability to reliably assess the worth of private property and financial assets. He seems to view such instability as essentially turning every person’s wealth into a random “lottery” over which they have no control.

The quote conveys Jefferson’s skepticism of paper money due to the risks he felt it posed to the security of private property ownership and overall economic certainty.

Birthday: April 13, 1743 – Death: July 4, 1826

Thomas Jefferson on Bank Control

Thomas Jefferson Money Quotation saying controlling the ebb and flow of cash in our society is a complex process of regulation, taxation and legislation that banks should have less control of. Thomas Jefferson said:
 

 

If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation then by deflation, the banks and the corporations will grow up around them, will deprive the people of all property until their children wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs — Thomas Jefferson

This quote suggests that Thomas Jefferson strongly believed the power to issue currency (i.e. control the money supply) should not be delegated to private banks. He appears to be warning that if banks are allowed to freely inflate and deflate the currency for their own benefit, it would initially lead to rising prices through inflation.

This would be followed by a collapse in the money supply and severe deflation that deprives people of their property and wealth. Jefferson felt that concentrating this influential power in banks’ hands could ultimately leave future generations homeless after their ancestors had built the country.

He advocated for restoring currency control to the people and their elected leaders to whom it “properly belongs”, rather than being dictated by private financial interests. The quote conveys Jefferson’s firm conviction that independent central banking posed major risks to economic stability and average citizens’ well-being over the long run.

Birthday: April 13, 1743 – Death: July 4, 1826

Honore De Balzac: Property Inheritance Pleasure

Funny Money Quotes on how a devious heir might literally get away with murder and still enjoy the inheritance of the relative they kill. Honore de Balzac said:
 

 

“To kill a relative of whom you are tired is something. But to inherit his property afterwards, that is genuine pleasure” — Honore de Balzac

In this quote, Balzac appears to be making a darkly satirical commentary on greed and the temptation of inheritance. He suggests that while ending a difficult family relationship through killing a relative may provide some momentary satisfaction, the true “pleasure” comes in inheriting their wealth and possessions afterwards.

Balzac seems to be criticizing the mindset of those who would view certain kin more as a potential source of financial gain upon their death than as people deserving of care, respect and compassion. The quote portrays inheritance in an unflattering and even sinister light, implying it can motivate morally questionable thoughts and actions towards expediting one’s receipt of a family member’s estate.

Overall, Balzac presents a critique of the corrupting influence greed and covetousness for material rewards can have on familial bonds and human relationships. The tone suggests he views such selfish prioritization of inheritance over people’s well-being and lives as a disturbing reflection of immoral character.

Birthday: May 20, 1799 – August 18, 1850