Swami Vivekananda: Doing Good

Posted by admin on Friday, April 10, 2020

Swami Vivekananda Money Quote saying if personal wealth can be used for valuable purposes, it is useful – but otherwise it is absolutely evil and should be disposed of. Swami Vivekananda said:
 

 

“If money help a man to do good to others, it is of some value; but if not, it is simply a mass of evil, and the sooner it is got rid of, the better” — Swami Vivekananda

 

 

In this quote, Swami Vivekananda seems to be conveying a nuanced view of money – that it holds value only to the extent it facilitates helping others in need.

By stating money is “of some value” if it enables a person “to do good to others”, Vivekananda implies that wealth finds moral justification when utilized for philanthropic ends that directly benefit humanity.

However, his additional comment that if money does not serve this higher purpose it is “simply a mass of evil, and the sooner it is got rid of, the better” conveys Vivekananda’s perspective that amassing riches solely for their own sake or for vain displays of opulence is unethical.

The quote portrays Vivekananda’s viewpoint that money is a conditional blessing – it merits keeping only when helping the less fortunate through donation and charity that uplifts communities, but otherwise represents an unworthy pursuit that distracts from spiritual advancement.

Overall, Vivekananda appears to advocate for wealth’s conditional acceptance based on selfless service to others, rather than an absolute condemnation or full endorsement of riches for their own sake divorced from compassionate use toward alleviating suffering.