Ben Stein: Made the Most Money

Ben Stein Money Quote saying that those succeeding are measured in other ways than making the most money. Ben Stein said:
 

 

“I don’t believe the most successful people are the ones who got the best grades, got into the best schools, or made the most money” — Ben Stein

In this quote, Ben Stein seems to be challenging conventional assumptions about what constitutes true success or achievement. Specifically:

• Stein states he does not believe the “most successful people” are necessarily those who earned top grades, attended elite universities, or amassed the greatest wealth.
• He appears to be arguing that academic or professional accomplishments like high scores/degrees and earnings do not on their own define or guarantee being “successful” in the fullest sense.
• Stein seems to be suggesting other factors beyond academic or financial metrics may determine who finds the deepest fulfillment or makes the most meaningful impacts.

The best interpretation is that Stein believes success is too complex to be reduced to quantitative measures alone. From his perspective, qualities like character, relationships, contributions or life satisfaction may determine greater success than surface achievements alone according to non-traditional definitions of achievement and fulfillment.

Rand Bennett: Retire Successful

Rand Bennett Money Quote saying what makes retiring possible is resources enough to stop working, do what you love rather than what you must do. Rand Bennett said:
 

 

“Successful retirement takes place when you no longer need to work for money. Rather, the work you do is motivated by higher-level goals and purposes, not income generation” — Rand Bennett

This quote from Rand Bennett suggests that true retirement occurs when a person no longer works primarily or solely for the purpose of earning money and income. Rather than being motivated by financial needs, one’s work in retirement is driven by loftier goals, values or purposes that provide meaning beyond monetary gain.

The quote implies that retirement involves a shift away from income-focused labor toward activities motivated by personal fulfillment, service to others, passion projects or intellectual stimulation.

It serves as a reminder that retirement is not just the absence of a paycheck, but a stage of life defined by internal rewards rather than external compensation.

Successfully retiring means having the freedom to pursue work aligned with one’s higher priorities rather than economic necessities alone.

Thomas Jefferson: Pay War Losses

Thomas Jefferson Money Quote saying that even those wars with good results can pay for itself and losses of war. Thomas Jefferson said:
 

 

“The most successful war seldom pays for its losses” — Thomas Jefferson

This quote from Thomas Jefferson suggests that while military victories may be won on the battlefield, the overall costs of war often outweigh the gains. Jefferson appears to be acknowledging that while war can achieve political or territorial objectives, the financial burdens, loss of life, long-term healthcare for veterans, and other impacts rarely make war a worthwhile investment even for the victor.

The message seems to be that nations should enter armed conflict only as an absolute last resort, since the consequences of war tend to linger and undermine prosperity long after any fighting ends.

Overall, the quote conveys Jefferson’s view that war should not be glorified or seen as a path to enrichment, but rather understood as a tragic last option due to the severe toll it takes on societies regardless of victory.

Birthday: April 13, 1743 – Death: July 4, 1826

Orison Swett Marden: Best Capital; Friends

Orison Swett Marden Money Quote saying we undervalue our friends when comparing friendship to wealth. They help us attain the success we desire. Orison Swett Marden said:
 

 

“No young man starting in life could have better capital than plenty of friends. They will strengthen his credit, support him in every great effort, and make him what, unaided, he could never be. Friends of the right sort will help him more — to be happy and successful — than much money” — Orison Swett Marden

In this quote, Orison Swett Marden is emphasizing the importance and value of strong friendships, especially for young people just starting out in life. He argues that having “plenty of friends” can serve as a form of “capital” or asset just as meaningful as financial wealth.

Marden suggests friends can help bolster one’s reputation (“strengthen credit”), support ambitious endeavors, and through their encouragement and guidance, allow one to achieve more than what may have been possible alone.

The overall interpretation is that Marden believes good friends who have one’s best interests at heart can be enormously helpful for finding happiness and success, potentially even more so than just money or material resources alone according to his perspective expressed in this quote.

Birthday: June 11, 1848 Death: March 10, 1924

Orison Swett Marden: Influential is Success

Orison Swett Marden Money Quote saying those who control hearts and minds is a success, whether they have wealth or live in poverty. Orison Swett Marden said:
 

 

“The influential man is the successful man, whether he be rich or poor” — Orison Swett Marden

In this quote, Orison Swett Marden seems to be suggesting that true influence and success in life cannot be defined solely by one’s level of wealth or material possessions.

While money and resources certainly allow some forms of power and status, Marden appears to believe that the most “influential” people achieve significance through other means beyond just their bank account size, such as the quality of their character, leadership abilities, ideas, or positive impact on others.

The interpretation is that according to Marden’s perspective expressed here, one can still lead a highly successful life and wield meaningful influence in their community or field regardless of whether they are “rich or poor”, if they develop their talents and use them to better the world in some way according to their own definition of fulfillment and success beyond superficial measures of income or opulence alone.

Birthday: June 11, 1848 Death: March 10, 1924

Oprah Winfrey: Focus Never on Money

Oprah Winfrey Money Quotation saying focusing on the outcome of getting wealthy prevents attention from going to what really creates wealth. Oprah Winfrey said:
 

 

“The reason I’ve been able to be so financially successful is my focus has never, ever for one minute been money” — Oprah Winfrey

In this quote, Oprah Winfrey is explaining that her tremendous financial success was not due to a primary focus on accumulating wealth. Rather, she is suggesting that her focus was elsewhere – likely on helping others through her media platforms and philanthropic efforts.

The quote implies that by concentrating on meaningful goals like empowering and uplifting people rather than money itself, financial rewards followed as a result rather than as the main objective.

Oprah appears to be advising that truly fulfilling success comes from pursuing passions and making a positive difference, not from directly chasing profits or riches for their own sake.

Oprah Winfrey on Wealth isn’t Success

Oprah Winfrey Money Quotation saying being a success in the traditional sense means having lots of cash, but is that enough to be called successful? Oprah Winfrey said:
 

 

“Let me tell you, money’s pretty nice. But having a lot of money does not automatically make you a successful person” — Oprah Winfrey

In this quote, Oprah Winfrey is acknowledging that having a lot of money can provide advantages and comforts in life. However, she is also pointing out that being financially wealthy alone does not guarantee success as a person or define one’s overall success.

Oprah appears to be saying that true success involves more than just accumulating riches – things like having purpose, positive impact, strong relationships and personal fulfillment are also important measures of a successful life.

The quote suggests that while money certainly makes things easier, it is not the only metric one should use to determine their own or others’ success and value as people.

Wayne Dyer on Attracting Success

Wayne Dyer Money Quotation saying money comes to those who bring success to what they do and not the reverse – cash doesn’t equal success. Wayne Dyer said:
 

 

“Successful people make money. It’s not that people who make money become successful, but that successful people attract money” — Wayne Dyer

This quote from Wayne Dyer suggests that financial success is typically a result of non-monetary achievements and qualities, rather than wealth inherently creating further prosperity.

The best interpretation is that Dyer believed truly successful people – those with strong character, skills, work ethic, positive mindset and contributions to offer – naturally attract opportunities to make money through their competence and value-adding efforts.

According to Dyer, wealth is more an effect than a cause of success, which stems from inner attributes rather than external possessions.

The implication seems to be that by developing one’s talents and pursuing excellence and purpose, financial rewards will follow as a natural byproduct rather than the driving motivation.

Dyer appears to be conveying that true, sustainable prosperity flows from intrinsic qualities rather than from money amassed as the chief goal.

Birthday: May 10, 1940 – Death: August 29, 2015