Desiderius Erasmus: Abundance Sin

Desiderius Erasmus Money Quote saying it is sinful to amass great wealth and more so to keep that financial gain. Desiderius Erasmus said:
 

 

“Great abundance of riches cannot be gathered and kept by any man without sin” — Desiderius Erasmus

In this quote, Desiderius Erasmus seems to be conveying skepticism about the moral compatibility of amassing great wealth. By stating that “great abundance of riches cannot be gathered and kept by any man without sin”, Erasmus implies that acquiring and holding onto immense fortunes likely involves compromising one’s principles or exploiting others to some degree through actions like greed, dishonesty, or lack of charity.

The quote portrays Erasmus’ perspective that immense wealth concentration is rarely achieved fully ethically due to human tendencies towards vice when pursuing riches without restraint. Overall, Erasmus appears to be arguing that great personal fortunes require behaviors or systems of some impropriety for their accumulation and preservation at such massive scales, as total probity seems difficult to maintain when vast resources are at stake.

Birthday: October c. 28, 1466 – Death: July 12, 1536

Napoleon Hill: Earned Riches

Napoleon Hill Money Quote saying everything that matters had a beginning in an idea. Napoleon Hill said:
 

 

“All achievements, all earned riches, have their beginning in an idea” — Napoleon Hill

In this quote, Herman Cain seems to be arguing that individuals are solely responsible for their own economic circumstances rather than larger systemic factors. By stating people should “blame yourself” rather than “Wall Street” or “big banks” if they lack employment or wealth, Cain implies individual choices alone determine financial conditions rather than outside influences.

However, many would argue this perspective overlooks the role of chance, inherent inequalities, lack of access to opportunity for some, and corporate interests that can negatively impact whole communities through no fault of individuals.

While personal responsibility is important, most reasonable people recognize both individual agency and outside constraints jointly shape life outcomes. A balanced, nuanced view acknowledges both individual and societal responsibilities in economic matters rather than reducing complex issues to simplistic blame.

Birthday: October 26, 1883 – Death: November 8, 1970

Plato: Bequeath Not Riches

Plato Money Quote saying kids should inherit a sense of reverence instead of wealth. Plato said:
 

 

“Let parents bequeath to their children not riches, but the spirit of reverence” — Plato

Plato believed that parents should instill values in their children rather than material wealth. The “spirit of reverence” refers to teaching children respect, humility, and virtue.

Plato felt that passing down an appreciation for higher ideals and morality was more important than leaving an inheritance of money and possessions.

He wanted to emphasize that what really matters is helping the next generation develop good character and an understanding of their responsibilities to society.

Birthday: c. 427 – Death: 348 BC

Thomas Fuller: Rich Appetites

Thomas Fuller Money Quote saying wealth makes you hungry for more, rather than giving you satisfaction. Thomas Fuller said:
 

 

“Riches enlarge rather than satisfy appetites” — Thomas Fuller

In this quote, Thomas Fuller is suggesting that getting more wealth and riches does not necessarily make a person feel satisfied or fulfilled. Having more money tends to increase one’s desires and appetites for even greater wealth, rather than satisfying what one already has.

Fuller is pointing out that acquiring riches seems to enlarge a person’s wants and cravings, instead of fulfilling them. So having a lot of money does not necessarily equate to feeling truly content or satisfied.

Birthday: June 19, 1608 – Died: August 16, 1661

Mokokoma Mokhonoana: Rich Heirs

Mokokoma Mokhonoana Money Quote saying inheritance and early success are usually short-lived. Mokokoma Mokhonoana said:
 

 

“We generally outlive premature success and inherited riches” — Mokokoma Mokhonoana

This quote suggests that people often end up outliving wealth or success that comes to them prematurely or through inheritance rather than their own efforts.

Mokokoma Mokhonoana seems to be pointing out that riches obtained very early in life before one is prepared, or wealth inherited from others rather than created oneself, may not last as long as success and affluence that comes from hard work and experience over time.

The quote implies that wealth achieved prematurely or by virtue of family rather than independent accomplishment may not be managed as effectively and could be squandered more easily than prosperity earned through years of building a career or business.

Arthur Helps: Riches Great Luxury

Arthur Helps Money Quote saying the wealthy are always giving advice to the poor but somehow don’t get any advice from the poor. Arthur Helps said:
 

 

“The greatest luxury of riches is that they enable you to escape so much good advice. The rich are always advising the poor; but the poor seldom return the compliment” — Arthur Helps

In this quote, Arthur Helps seems to be commenting on an asymmetry in how unsolicited advice is distributed between social classes. By stating that “the greatest luxury of riches is that they enable you to escape so much good advice,” and that “the rich are always advising the poor; but the poor seldom return the compliment,” Helps implies the affluent feel entitled to counsel those with fewer means, while the poor do not reciprocate with advice for the wealthy.

The quote conveys Helps’ perspective that the wealthy see themselves as benefactors by advising the less fortunate, but are shielded from similar advice by their status and resources. Overall, Helps appears to be arguing that the privileged tend to patronize the disadvantaged with advice, while facing less unsolicited guidance themselves due to their relative freedom from want that buffers them from such counsel, whether wanted or not.

Birthday: July 10, 1813 – Death: March 7, 1875

Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Rich Embarrass

Julia Louis-Dreyfus Money Quote saying having too much can be embarrassing, but why not be happy about it?. Julia Louis-Dreyfus said:
 

 

“This is an embarrassment of riches, and boy, am I happy to be embarrassed” — Julia Louis-Dreyfus

This quote by Julia Louis-Dreyfus suggests that she feels extremely fortunate, grateful and almost overwhelmed by an abundance of positive things in her life. To be experiencing an “embarrassment of riches” means having more blessings or rewards than one could reasonably expect or feel deserving of.

While embarrassment often carries a negative connotation, Louis-Dreyfus uses it joyfully here to convey how delighted she is to have more good things than she knows what to do with. The quote expresses her happiness at finding herself in a place of prosperity, success or fulfillment far beyond what she likely felt entitled to.

Overall, it reflects a sentiment of profound thankfulness for the good fortune of living richly in non-financial as well as financial terms.

B.C. Forbes: Riches Possessed

B.C. Forbes Money Quote saying our actual wealth is carried inside and not in bank accounts. B.C. Forbes said:
 

 

“Real riches are the riches possessed inside” — B.C. Forbes

In this quote, B.C. Forbes is emphasizing the importance of inner wealth and character over material riches. He is saying that true or “real” riches are those which come from within oneself – qualities like wisdom, integrity, compassion, and personal development.

According to Forbes, these internal qualities of spirit and virtue constitute a far greater and more lasting form of wealth than any external possessions or monetary value one could accrue. The message is that focusing on bettering oneself inwardly is more meaningful than obsessively pursuing wealth and status.

Birthday: May 14, 1880 – Death: May 6, 1954