Aldous Huxley: Universal Debt

Meaning of Aldous Huxley Money Quote: saying debt for war-making is core to our ideology and will always be part of our prosperity. Aldous Huxley said:

 

 

“Armaments, universal debt and planned obsolescence – those are the three pillars of Western prosperity. If war, waste and money-lenders were abolished, you’d collapse” — Aldous Huxley

Huxley believed that armaments, universal debt, and planned obsolescence were the three pillars supporting Western prosperity. He argued that without these things, Western societies would collapse economically. Specifically:

• Armaments refers to weapons manufacturing, which drives significant government and private sector spending.
• Universal debt, meaning widespread personal and national debt, fuels continued spending through credit and debt repayment.
• Planned obsolescence, where products are designed to go obsolete quickly to drive new purchasing, stimulates ongoing consumer spending.

Huxley suggested that without this constant cycle of spending driven by these three factors, Western economies would struggle and potentially collapse due to lack of continuous economic activity and growth.

Birthday: July 26, 1894 – Death: November 27, 1963

Ernest Hemingway: War Inflation

Meaning of Ernest Hemingway Money Quote: saying it’s tempting to allow currency inflation or going to war because they bring short-term prosperity. Ernest Hemingway said:
 

 

“The first panacea for a mismanaged nation is inflation of the currency; the second is war. Both bring a temporary prosperity; both bring a permanent ruin. But both are the refuge of political and economic opportunists” — Ernest Hemingway

In this quote, Ernest Hemingway is comparing inflation and war as political strategies that can be used to address economic mismanagement of a country. His interpretation is that while both approaches may bring short-term growth and prosperity, they ultimately lead to long-lasting ruin.

Hemingway suggests that inflating a currency or engaging in war masks underlying economic issues rather than solving them, and that these actions are taken more for political gain by “opportunists” rather than out of concern for the nation’s long-term welfare.

His view seems to be that inflation and war are temporary fixes that do not remedy mismanagement of an economy in a sustainable way, and have severe negative consequences despite any initial benefits some may derive from such policies.

Birthday: July 21, 1899 – Death: July 2, 1961

@Girlziplocked: Economy Peasants

Holly Girlziplocked Money Quote saying giving money to the wealthy creates prosperity, but given to those who need it, causes inflation. Holly Girlziplocked said:
  

 
“Inflation is what happens when we give money to poor people. But prosperity is what happens when we give money to rich people. Thank you for understanding how ‘the economy’ works, peasants” — Holly @girlziplocked
  

Holly appears to be sarcastically criticizing the view that giving money to poor people through social programs or stimulus spending causes inflation, while tax cuts and other benefits for wealthy individuals lead to broader economic prosperity.

The quote implies this is an oversimplified and potentially disingenuous perspective on how macroeconomic policies impact inflation and growth. By referring to the audience as “peasants”, Holly seems to be mocking the idea that average citizens should just accept simplistic explanations for complex issues like inflation that place blame on supporting the poor.

Overall, the message is one of skepticism toward trickle-down theories that inflation stems from aiding the less fortunate, while wealth generated among high-income groups supposedly benefits society as a whole. Holly appears to be satirizing the notion that “the economy” operates in such a straightforward, top-down manner.

William Jennings Bryan: Prosperity

William Jennings Bryan Money Quote saying early in the 20th Century that trickle-down economics should be reversed to grow the economy from the ground upward. William Jennings Bryan said:
 

 

“There are two ideas of government. There are those who believe that, if you will only legislate to make the well-to-do prosperous, their prosperity will leak through on those below. The DEMOCRATIC idea, however, has been that if you legislate to make the masses prosperous, their prosperity will find its way up through every class which rests upon them” — William Jennings Bryan

In this quote, William Jennings Bryan is contrasting two philosophies of governance. He suggests that while some believe wealth will “trickle down” by focusing policies around the affluent, the Democratic view is that a more equitable approach is to make legislation that directly benefits average citizens and workers.

Bryan implies that improving conditions for the many will indirectly strengthen the whole economy and society, whereas primarily assisting the few at the top does not guarantee gains will reach others below.

Overall, the quote portrays Bryan endorsing a bottom-up model of governance focused on widespread prosperity, rather than a top-down hope that benefits for the wealthy alone will be widely shared.

Birthday: March 19, 1860 – Death: July 26, 1925

Lupita Nyong’o: Juneteenth Wealth

Lupita Nyong’o Money Quote saying the recognition of Juneteenth as a U.S. Holiday reminds us of black contribution to our countrys wealth. Lupita Nyong’o said:
 

 

“Public holidays indicate the moments in history that are important to a nation and the values they hold dear. Recognizing Juneteenth nationally would be one more way to acknowledge the intrinsic value of Black people and their history to the wealth and prosperity of the USA” — Lupita Nyong’o

In this quote, actress Lupita Nyong’o is expressing her view on the significance of making Juneteenth a national holiday in the United States. She suggests that elevating June 19th in this way would serve to commemorate a pivotal moment in Black American history and the ongoing struggle against slavery.

Nyong’o implies this recognition is important for acknowledging both the inherent worth of Black lives and their profound contributions to the economic success of the nation despite systemic oppression. Overall, the quote portrays support for nationalizing Juneteenth as an opportunity to honor Black history and experience as an integral part of American identity and values.

President Joe Biden signed the bill to make Juneteenth a national federal holiday on June 17, 2021.

2. Public holidays indicate the moments in history that are important to a nation and the values they hold dear. Recognizing #Juneteenth nationally would be one more way to acknowledge the intrinsic value of Black people and their history to the wealth and prosperity of the USA.

— Lupita Nyong'o (@Lupita_Nyongo) June 19, 2020

George Washington: Ready for War

George Washington Money Quote saying in order to have peace it is important to be prepared for war any time. George Washington said:
 

 

“If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for War” — George Washington

In this quote, George Washington is expressing the view that maintaining a strong military capability is important for both defending against potential aggression as well as preserving peace. His interpretation is that if a nation wants to avoid being threatened or “insulted” by other powers, it must demonstrate the ability to effectively “repel” any attacks on its interests or territory through force of arms.

Additionally, Washington suggests that establishing peace as a goal requires a nation to ensure it is always prepared and willing to engage in war if needed. His perspective seems to be that showing military strength and resolve is a key part of both deterring conflict and enabling economic “prosperity” in a stable security environment.

The overall message conveyed is that Washington saw maintaining armed might and readiness for warfare as an integral part of safeguarding national security as well as promoting peaceful conditions.

Birthday: February 22, 1732 – Death: December 14, 1799

Ludwig von Mises: War Prosperity

Ludwig von Mises Money Quote saying that money made by some is taken from others to prosper some. Ludwig von Mises said:
 

 

“The essence of so-called war prosperity; it enriches some by what it takes from others. It is not rising wealth but a shifting of wealth and income” — Ludwig von Mises

In this quote, Ludwig von Mises is challenging the idea that war can generate true or widespread economic prosperity. His interpretation is that while war may enrich some individuals or sectors of the economy through increased military spending, this wealth is not new but merely shifted from other parts of the economy and citizenry that are paying higher taxes, buying fewer goods, or otherwise having their resources utilized for the war effort.

According to Mises’ view, the overall wealth of a nation does not increase due to war, but rather just shifts between different groups as resources are reallocated towards the war industry. So he argues that war prosperity is not actually rising wealth for a country as a whole, but the redistribution and shifting of existing wealth and income towards certain beneficiaries of the war economy.

Birthday: September 29, 1881 – Death: October 10, 1973

Pope Francis: Thirst for Prosperity

Pope Francis Money Quote saying we are abusing our environment and destroying resources because of greed and furthering inequality. Pope Francis said:
 
 

 

“In effect a selfish and boundless thirst for power and material prosperity, leads to both to the misuse of available natural resources, and to the exclusion of the weak” — Pope Francis

Pope Francis criticizes what he calls the “selfish and boundless thirst for power and material prosperity” because it leads people to misuse resources and exclude the weak in pursuit of wealth and status. Pope Francis believes this greed and inequality harms the environment and hurts vulnerable people. His message seems to be calling for a more balanced and equitable approach to prosperity that considers the well-being of all people and the planet.

Pope Francis believes greed and inequality harms the environment and vulnerable people for a few key reasons:

1. When people are driven solely by greed and the pursuit of material wealth and power, they are more likely to misuse and overexploit natural resources to gain profit, without consideration for sustainability or conservation. This damages the environment.
2. Societies with large wealth inequality often see the powerful and wealthy exploit resources and political systems to amass even more wealth, while excluding the needs of the poor and vulnerable.
3. Vulnerable communities, who contribute least to environmental damage, often end up suffering the worst effects of issues like pollution and climate change caused by unchecked greed and profit-seeking of powerful groups.
4. A more equitable system that limits inequality and excessive greed could help ensure all people have their basic needs met, while also encouraging wiser stewardship of the planet we all depend on.