Donald Miller: Win The Lottery

Meaning of Donald Miller Money Quote: saying people seem to need a good story and therefore working for a living better than winning the lottery. Donald Miller said:
 

 

“I’d rather earn the money than win the lottery because there’s no joy in a reward unless it comes at the end of a story” — Donald Miller

In this quote, American author Donald Miller seems to be contrasting the psychological and emotional differences between earning money through work versus winning it in a lottery. He suggests that simply receiving a large financial windfall without effort or struggle lacks a satisfying “story” behind it. By earning money, one experiences the journey and overcoming of challenges that lead to the reward.

Miller implies this process of effort building to a payoff is what brings the most fulfillment and “joy” when obtaining wealth or success. Overall, the quote conveys Miller’s perspective that meaningful accomplishments feel most rewarding precisely because they are the conclusion to a narrative of perseverance, risk-taking and growth, rather than being randomly handed a prize without context or effort.

Ayn Rand: Incentive Payment

Meaning of Ayn Rand Money Quote: saying there is a differnce between those things done for reward and those done for punishment. Ayn Rand said:
 

 

“Economic power is exercised by means of a positive, by offering men a reward, an incentive, a payment, a value; political power is exercised by means of a negative, by the threat of punishment, injury, imprisonment, destruction. The businessman’s tool is values; the bureaucrat’s tool is fear” — Ayn Rand

In this quote, Ayn Rand is contrasting economic and political power. She argues that in business or the free market, power is exercised through positive means like offering value to others in the form of goods, services or payment in exchange for something.

But political power, as seen through government or bureaucracy, is exercised through negative means like threats, punishment or force against those who do not comply. Where businessmen must attract customers through providing something of value, bureaucrats exert control through fear of consequences like fines, jail time or other penalties.

Rand viewed free market exchange as a positive-sum interaction, while seeing political power as based on a negative threat of force against individuals.

Birthday: February 2, 1905 – Death: March 6, 1982

Nathan Hale: Pecuniary Reward

Nathan Hale Money Quote saying it is not just expecting payment or rewards that makes public life attract public servants. Nathan Hale said:
 

 

“I am not influenced by the expectation of promotion or pecuniary reward. I wish to be useful, and every kind of service necessary for the public good, becomes honorable by being necessary” — Nathan Hale

The quote highlights “pecuniary reward” to suggest that public servants are motivated by more than just financial gain. Nathan Hale’s statement implies that true public service is driven by a desire to be useful and contribute to the public good, rather than solely for personal financial benefit. This suggests a positive relationship between money and public service, as financial reward is not the primary motivator for those in public service.

Birthday: June 6, 1755 – Death: September 22, 1776

James Buchan: Suicidal Banking

James Buchan Money Quote saying bankers commit dangerous and self-destructive things that put their depositors at risk. James Buchan said:
 

 

“At the heart of banking is a suicidal strategy. Banks take money from the public or each other on call, skim it for their own reward and then lock the rest up in volatile, insecure and illiquid loans that at times they cannot redeem without public aid” — James Buchan

In this quote, author James Buchan is critically analyzing the business model of banking. He suggests that at its core, banking relies on a “suicidal strategy” where funds are borrowed short-term from depositors or other banks but then invested long-term in risky loans that may become illiquid or default.

Buchan implies this mismatch of liquidity leaves banks vulnerable if depositors demand their money back all at once, requiring public bailouts at times to avoid collapse.

Overall, the quote portrays skepticism of a system where banks leverage public trust in unstable assets for private “reward”, while taxpayers bear the costs when risks materialize. Buchan seems to be calling attention to potential instabilities in how banks intermediate funds.

Ovid: Good Deed Brings Reward

Ovid Money Quote saying we tend to need financial rewards to justify doing good deeds. Ovid said:
 

 

“Men do not value a good deed unless it brings a reward” — Ovid

Ovid believed that people tend to value and appreciate good deeds more when there is a reward involved. Ovid likely thought this because humans are motivated by self-interest and desire tangible benefits and recognition for their efforts.

So without a reward, people may be less inclined to go out of their way to help others or do good things. The reward provides positive reinforcement for moral behavior.

Birthday: March 20, 43 BC – Death: 17 AD

Anne Bradstreet: Pay Recompense

Anne Bradstreet Money Quote saying true love holds more value than any wealth and bestows wealth on those experiencing that love. Anne Bradstreet said:
 

 

“I prize thy love more than whole mines of Gold. Or all the riches that the East doth hold. My love is such that rivers cannot quench, Nor ought but love from thee, give recompense. Thy love is such I can no way repay, The heavens reward thee manifold repay” — Anne Bradstreet

Anne Bradstreet’s quote is about the value of true love. In it, she says that she prizes her lover’s love more than gold or any riches from the East. Her love for him is so strong that not even rivers could quench it, and only love from him could give her recompense or repayment for her love.

She loves him so much that she cannot repay him in any way, and hopes that heaven will reward him manifold or many times over for his love. In summary, the quote expresses how Anne Bradstreet felt that true love was more valuable than any wealth or riches.

Birthday: March 8, 1612 – Death: September 16, 1672

Dave Warawa: Leadership Greatest Reward

Dave Warawa Money Quote saying successful leaders expect no compensation for it beyond satisfaction from that choice. Dave Warawa said:
 

 

“Leadership is not a job you take, it’s a decision you make. It pays no money, yet has the greatest reward” — Dave Warawa

In this quote, Dave Warawa seems to be conveying that leadership is not something one pursues or obtains as a career objective, but rather it is a choice and commitment one makes to serve others. Some key points:

• He states that leadership “is not a job you take” implying it cannot be attained through employment or titles alone, but comes through dedicated actions.
• Warawa describes leadership as “a decision you make” – it requires actively choosing to prioritize guiding and empowering others above personal gain.
• While leadership roles may come with prestige, Warawa notes leadership itself “pays no money”, meaning the role is not about financial rewards but serving a higher purpose.
• However, he suggests leadership has the “greatest reward” which comes from positively impacting others’ lives rather than material benefits.

Overall, the quote conveys Warawa’s perspective that true leadership emerges from a selfless decision to help others through one’s influence and example, not for money or status, and this commitment of service intrinsically fulfills the leader in a way no salary could match.

George Bernard Shaw: Poverty Fear Rules

George Bernard Shaw Money Quote saying if we focus on worries of being poor, we will survive, but not enjoy life. George Bernard Shaw said:
 

 

“You are going to let the fear of poverty govern your life and your reward will be that you will eat, but you will not live” — George Bernard Shaw

The quote “You are going to let the fear of poverty govern your life and your reward will be that you will eat, but you will not live” is saying that if a person allows their fear of being poor to control their life, then they will only focus on meeting their basic needs like eating, but they will not truly experience living life to the fullest.

George Bernard Shaw is suggesting that worrying too much about not having enough money or being poor can prevent someone from fully enjoying life and all the experiences it has to offer.

Birthday: July 26, 1856 – Death: November 2, 1950