Francis Bacon: Riches Have Wings

Francis Bacon Money Quote saying investing is risky and it’s possible to lose wealth. Francis Bacon said:
 

 

“Be not penny-wise. Riches have wings. Sometimes they fly away of themselves, and sometimes they must be set flying to bring in more” — Francis Bacon

In this quote, Francis Bacon is advising against being “penny-wise”, which means excessively focused on small savings or minor financial gains.

He says riches, or wealth, are fleeting (“have wings”) in two senses – they may disappear on their own at times, but also that it can be wise to spend or invest money (“set flying”) in a way that generates more wealth.

Bacon appears to be encouraging not hoarding or being too cautious with money, but instead using it prudently to create further financial opportunities.

The overall interpretation is that Francis Bacon is warning against an overemphasis on minor savings at the expense of productive investment and spending, as wealth does not last if not put to work generating more riches over time.

Birthday: January 22, 1561 – Death: April 9, 1626

Epicurus: Add Not Unto Riches

Epicurus Money Quote saying to make someone happy, no need for more money, better less desire. Epicurus said:
 

 

“If thou wilt make a man happy, add not unto his riches but take away from his desires” — Epicurus

In this quote, Epicurus is providing a philosophical perspective on what truly brings happiness and contentment. The best interpretation is:

• Epicurus argues that to make a person happy, the path is not to increase their material wealth (“add not unto his riches”) since desires will just continue escalating along with accumulated resources.
• Instead, he believes happiness is best found by reducing cravings and desires themselves (“take away from his desires”). With fewer wants, one is less dependent on acquiring more to feel fulfilled.
• Epicurus appears to believe that true happiness stems from being satisfied with what one already has through disciplining desires, not endlessly pursuing more possessions and wealth.

Overall, the quote conveys Epicurus’ view that the key to a happy life lies not in accumulating greater resources but rather learning to need less by curbing desires, wants and attachment to acquiring more. From his perspective, inner contentment depends more on reducing cravings than increasing riches.

Birthday: 341 BC –Death: 270 BC

Matthew Henry: Care Getting Riches

Matthew Henry Money Quote saying that having money brings stress in properly investing, saving and spending them. Matthew Henry said:
 

 

“There is a burden of care in getting riches; fear in keeping them; temptation in using them; guilt in abusing them; sorrow in losing them; and a burden of account at last to be given concerning them” — Matthew Henry

In this quote, Matthew Henry seems to be outlining the various difficulties, stresses and responsibilities associated with accumulating and managing wealth across the different stages of having money. Specifically:

• Henry notes there is effort and “burden of care” involved in initially earning or acquiring riches.
• Once attained, riches bring “fear” around keeping and maintaining one’s wealth.
• Spending money well brings “temptation” to indulge excessively rather than prudently.
• Misusing wealth results in “guilt” over any harms or unethical acts committed to obtain it.
• Losing riches after having them causes resultant “sorrow”.
• Ultimately, Henry states there will be a heavy “burden of account” to give regarding one’s stewardship of money when life concludes.

The best interpretation is that Matthew Henry believed wealth involves ongoing challenges, worries and accountability at each phase – from obtaining it to answering for one’s use of it after death. According to Henry, money demands much care and responsibility across its entire lifespan in one’s possession and beyond.

Birthday: October 18, 1662 – Death: June 22, 1714

Otto von Bismarck: Bankers Grabs

Otto von Bismarck Money Quote saying after Lincoln died, foreign bankers returned to valued markets and corruption grew. Otto von Bismarck said:
 

 

“The death of Lincoln was a disaster for Christendom. There was no man in the United States great enough to wear his boots and the bankers went anew to grab the riches. I fear that foreign bankers with their craftiness and tortuous tricks will entirely control the exuberant riches of America and use it to systematically corrupt civilisation” — Otto von Bismarck

Otto von Bismarck seems to be expressing regret over the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. He argues that no American leader was capable of filling Lincoln’s shoes in safeguarding the nation’s interests.

Bismarck then criticizes foreign bankers for seizing on this power vacuum to “grab the riches” of America through their “craftiness and tortuous tricks.” He fears that these bankers will come to entirely control the vast wealth of the United States and systematically corrupt civilization by using that wealth in self-serving ways.

Overall, Bismarck portrays foreign bankers as opportunists who took advantage of Lincoln’s death to increase their influence over the American economy and asserts this could undermine moral standards on a broad scale.

Birthday: April 1, 1815 – Death: July 30, 1898

Emily Bronte: Riches Light Esteem

Emily Bronte Money Quote saying that being rich and famous is not important and might be compared to groggy awakening and fading dreams. Emily Bronte said:
 

 

“Riches I hold in light esteem, And love I laugh to scorn, And lust of fame was but a dream That vanished with the morn” — Emily Bronte

In this quote, Emily Bronte seems to be expressing disinterest and lack of value for certain conventional pursuits and priorities. Specifically:

• Bronte states she holds “riches” or wealth “in light esteem” – implying monetary gains are not especially important or meaningful goals to her.
• She notes she “laugh[s] to scorn” romantic love – suggesting relationships may not be a high priority or source of fulfillment either.
• Bronte also portrays “lust of fame” or desire for renown as “but a dream” that quickly faded, conveying ambition for recognition was fleeting and did not last.

The best interpretation is that Bronte wanted to communicate a perspective where inner fulfillment and priorities are not defined by societal measures of success like accumulating riches, finding love or achieving fame. Her quote conveys a sense of independence from conventions around life’s pursuits and a self-sufficiency that does not depend on external validations according to her perspective on life’s meaningful sources of satisfaction and value.

Birthday: 30 July 1818 – Death: 19 December 1848

Jacques Yves Cousteau: Rich Sea

Jacques Cousteau Money Quote saying we overstate the bounty of the oceans and we should preserve and protect the seas. Jacques Cousteau said:
 

 

“It is fashionable nowadays to talk about the endless riches of the sea. The ocean is regarded as a sort of bargain basement, but I don’t agree with that estimate. People don’t realize that water in the liquid state is very rare in the universe. Away from earth it is usually a gas. This moisture is a blessed treasure, and it is our basic duty, if we don’t want to commit suicide, to preserve it” — Jacques Yves Cousteau

In this quote, renowned ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau is cautioning against taking the ocean’s resources for granted. While some viewed the sea as having endless bounty to exploit however desired, he argues this perspective underestimates its true value. Cousteau emphasizes how rare and precious liquid water is in the universe, and how the ocean provides indispensable moisture that enables life.

He suggests humanity has a fundamental obligation to protect this vital natural treasure, otherwise risking what he terms “suicide” through environmental destruction. Overall, the quote advocates seeing the ocean not as an inexhaustible supply depot but rather as a finite and singularly important ecosystem that must be sustainably managed for the survival of both marine life and humankind.

Birthday: June 11, 1910 – June 25, 1997

Ernie Banks: Riches of Game

Ernie Banks Money Quote saying the real joy of baseball is the excitement of the game and not in the salary paid for playing. Ernie Banks said:
 

 

“The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money” — Ernie Banks

In this quote, Ernie Banks is emphasizing that the true rewards of playing baseball come from the excitement and enjoyment of the sport itself, not financial compensation. Banks suggests that the “riches” or greatest pleasures of the game are found in the thrills, such as hitting a home run or making a great defensive play, rather than in the money players earn.

He implies that what really matters most is deriving fulfillment and satisfaction from the competition, teamwork, and moments of achievement on the field, rather than focusing primarily on salary. The quote conveys Banks’ view that baseball should be played first and foremost for love of the game itself, rather than simply as a high-paying job or career.

Birthday: January 31, 1931 – Death: January 23, 2015

Proverbs: Poverty Nor Riches

Proverbs Money Quote saying all that is required is daily needs – not wealth or poverty, but necessities. Proverbs said:
 

 

“Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread” — Proverbs 30:8

This verse from Proverbs is expressing a desire for moderation and contentment with life’s necessities rather than extremes of either poverty or wealth. The speaker is asking God for just enough to meet their daily needs for sustenance (“daily bread”), but no more and no less.

It conveys wanting a simple, humble life focused on fundamental provisions rather than an excess of riches or scarcity of poverty. The verse promotes being satisfied with having basic life requirements met rather than craving great wealth or suffering great deprivation.