Posts Tagged ‘slaves’
Wendell Berry: Slavery Freedom
on Friday, March 10, 2023Meaning of Wendell Berry Money Quote: saying people can become wage slaves and convinced they are free, then finds ways to take back the money given. Wendell Berry said:
“The new slavery has improved upon the old by giving the new slaves the illusion that they are free. The Economy does not take people’s freedom by force, which would be against its principles, for it is very humane. It buys their freedom, pays for it, and then persuades its money back again with shoddy goods and the promise of freedom” — Wendell Berry
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This quote from Wendell Berry suggests that modern consumer capitalism has created a new form of servitude by allowing people the illusion of independence through credit and debt. Some key points in interpreting his perspective:
- Berry implies that the “Economy” gains influence over people not through overt coercion but by providing money and goods upfront in exchange for taking back more money via interest and consumerism.
- He portrays this as a subtle yet powerful new means of social control that exploits desires for autonomy and prosperity rather than enforcing subjugation directly.
- Berry’s perspective conveys the viewpoint that debt-driven consumer lifestyles replace overt slavery with “shoddy” distractions that maintain control over populations through financial obligations rather than physical force.
- However, reasonable people can disagree on Berry’s characterization, and responsible use of credit combined with savings enables opportunity for some individuals according to their priorities and circumstances.
Overall, the quote reflects Berry’s cynical stance that modern capitalism induces a “new slavery” through economic rather than corporeal bonds. But the best interpretation considers this as one perspective in ongoing discussions, and recognizes that prudent personal finance requires moderation – neither excessive debt nor its complete avoidance optimize well-being, which depends on individual situations and philosophies that may prioritize both empowerment and protection.
Maria Montessori: Profession Slaves
on Saturday, August 31, 2019Maria Montessori Money Quote saying schools fail to prepare kids for a full rich life and instead prepare them to be wage slaves. Maria Montessori said:
“Schools do not prepare young people for social life but rather for earning a living. They train young people for a trade or a profession. And all of them exercise their trade or practise their profession like slaves” — Maria Montessori
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In this quote, education pioneer Maria Montessori seems to be criticizing how schools are focused more on vocational preparation than holistic development. By stating that schools train students for trades or professions so they can “earn a living” like “slaves,” Montessori implies education systems primarily view children as future workers rather than whole individuals.
She argues this narrow focus fails to adequately prepare young people for social aspects of life. Overall, Montessori appears to be advocating for education reforms that cultivate well-rounded growth instead of prioritizing workforce training above all else.
The quote conveys Montessori’s view that schools should aim to develop students’ full potential rather than orienting them solely as future economic cogs.
Birthday: August 31, 1870 – May 6, 1952
Dalai Lama: Money Machine Cogs
on Monday, March 12, 2018Dalai Lama Money Quote saying we are at risk of allowing the money-making machine to draw in humanity rather than using wealth to serve us. Dalai Lama said:
“In today’s materialistic world there is a risk of people becoming slaves to money, as though they were simply cogs in a huge money-making machine. This does nothing for human dignity, freedom, and genuine well-being. Wealth should serve humanity, and not the other way around” — Dalai Lama
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In this quote, the Dalai Lama is cautioning against allowing money and materialism to become all-consuming priorities that undermine human dignity. He argues that in today’s consumerist society, there is a risk people will view themselves as mere “cogs in a huge money-making machine” focused solely on wealth accumulation.
However, the Dalai Lama believes this approach does not lead to real freedom or well-being. Instead, he advocates that wealth should serve humanity by improving people’s lives and communities, rather than humanity existing solely to generate riches.
Overall, the Dalai Lama is encouraging a balanced perspective where inner fulfillment and relationships are not sacrificed for financial gain alone, and where wealth is used to uplift society instead of being pursued as an end in itself.
In today’s materialistic world there is a risk of people becoming slaves to money, as though they were simply cogs in a huge money-making machine. This does nothing for human dignity, freedom, and genuine well-being. Wealth should serve humanity, and not the other way around.
— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) March 12, 2018
Frederick Douglass: Rich Tyrants vs. Slaves
on Friday, July 14, 2017Frederick Douglass Money Quote saying in 1852 that religion turned a blind eye to rich slave owners and encouraged slavery and oppression of the poor. Frederick Douglass said:
“A religion which favors the rich against the poor; which exalts the proud above the humble; which divides mankind into two classes, tyrants and slaves; which says to the man in chains, stay there; and to the oppressor, oppress on; it is a religion which may be professed and enjoyed by all the robbers and enslavers of mankind” — Frederick Douglass
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In this quote, Frederick Douglass is strongly criticizing a religion or ideology that favors the privileged and powerful over the disadvantaged.
He suggests it divides society into oppressors and oppressed, telling the poor and enslaved they must accept their condition while telling the rich and proud they can continue to exploit others.
Douglass implies this is an unjust system that allows those who rob and enslave humanity to still profess and benefit from the religion.
The quote highlights Douglass’ view that any faith tradition that sanctions inequality and oppression by condoning the actions of tyrants while blaming the oppressed serves only to perpetuate injustice and is not a true religion of moral righteousness.
Birthday: c. February 1817 – Death: February 20, 1895
George Orwell: Two Money Commandments
on Wednesday, February 1, 2017George Orwell Money Quote saying Money is seen as a religion by all, and has only one commandment for each of two worshippers – for business it is ‘make money’ and for workers it is, ‘stay employed’ no matter the cost to your soul. George Orwell said:
“The decalogue has been reduced to two commandments. One for the employers – the elect, the money priesthood as it were – ‘Thou shalt make money’; the other for the employed – the slaves and underlings’ – ‘Thou shalt not lose thy job.'” — George Orwell
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George Orwell is criticizing how society views work and money. Orwell is saying that for businesses and employers, their main goal or “commandment” is to make as much money as possible. Meanwhile, for workers and employees, their main goal is simply to keep their job and not lose employment, even if the job is soul-crushing or goes against their values.
Orwell refers to employers as the “elect” and “money priesthood” to emphasize how they see themselves as superior to workers and view making profits as most important. He calls employees “slaves and underlings” to highlight that their main concern according to this quote is just retaining employment, not finding fulfilling work. Overall, Orwell is critiquing how work had become less about purpose and more about profits and survival for many in society.
Birthday: June 25, 1903 – Death: January 25, 1950
Pope Francis on Material Slavery
on Thursday, December 5, 2013Pope Francis Money Quotation saying focusing only on possessions and gain leads to material slavery – financial enslavement. Pope Francis said:
“If money and material things become the center of our lives, they seize us and make us slaves” — Pope Francis
In this quote, Pope Francis is warning that becoming overly focused on accumulating wealth and possessions can have a detrimental effect on one’s life and freedom. He suggests that an excessive attachment to money and materialism can essentially “enslave” people, as those things start to control and dictate one’s behaviors, priorities, and sense of purpose.
The Pope appears to be advocating for keeping financial gain and worldly goods in a proper, balanced perspective – not denying their importance but also not allowing them to become the central driving force or main goal in one’s existence.
His message encourages ensuring money does not dominate one’s identity, choices and happiness at the expense of other human and spiritual values.