Samuel Smiles: Riches Impede Action

Posted by admin on Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Samuel Smiles Money Quote saying wealth may prevent taking action on many things because it answers most needs itself. Samuel Smiles said:
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“Riches are oftener an impediment than a stimulus to action; and in many cases they are quite as much a misfortune as a blessing” — Samuel Smiles

 

 

In this quote, Samuel Smiles seems to be suggesting that wealth can sometimes discourage meaningful action and effort rather than enabling it. A few key points:

• He describes riches as frequently being “an impediment” or obstacle that gets in the way of taking initiative and meaningful “action”.
• Smiles implies that great wealth may satisfy basic needs so completely that it saps the motivation to work hard or be enterprising since current comforts are already assured.
• He also argues riches can in many cases be “quite as much a misfortune as a blessing”, since they may relieve the pressures that drive self-improvement and risk-taking.

Overall, the quote conveys Smiles’ perspective that abundance of resources can paradoxically diminish incentives for personal growth and achievement by removing stresses that stimulate productivity, innovation and forward momentum through new challenges. Riches are not always the unequivocal benefit they may seem, according to the remark.