Ayn Rand: Purchase Happiness

Meaning of Ayn Rand Money Quote: saying you must know what you want when seeking to buy happiness. Ayn Rand said:

 

 

“Money will not purchase happiness for the man who has no concept of what he wants” — Ayn Rand

In this quote, Ayn Rand is asserting that merely having money alone is not enough to guarantee happiness. One must have clear goals, values and desires – a “concept of what he wants” – in order to find purpose and fulfillment in life.

Without knowing what is truly important to oneself, one could accumulate wealth but still feel unfulfilled or lack direction. Rand is suggesting that to gain happiness, one needs both financial means as well as an understanding of oneself and one’s priorities or vision for how to live well.

Simply possessing money without an inner sense of one’s wants and values will not lead to true happiness according to Rand’s view.

Birthday: February 2, 1905 – Death: March 6, 1982

John Quincy Adams: Mint of Gold

John Quincy Adams Money Quote saying our desire begins with little, but grows to wish for ever more as we acquire. John Quincy Adams said:
 

 

“Man wants but little here below Nor wants that little long, ‘Tis not with me exactly so; But ’tis so in the song. My wants are many, and, if told, Would muster many a score; And were each wish a mint of gold, I still should long for more” — John Quincy Adams

In this quote, John Quincy Adams is contrasting the sentiment expressed in the well-known poem “The Want Not” with his own personal experience and nature. In the poem, it states that man wants “but little here below” and does not desire even that “little long”.

However, Adams says “it is not exactly so” for him. He acknowledges his desires and wants are in fact “many” and numerous, not easily satisfied or contained.

Adams also suggests that even if each wish could magically be granted and transform into gold or wealth, his appetite and ambition would remain insatiable, as he “still should long for more”.

The quote conveys Adams’ self-awareness that unlike the poem’s characterization of human contentment, he possesses an innate drive and constant craving for more accomplishments, experiences and material gain in life.

Birthday: July 11, 1767 – Death: February 23, 1848

Epictetus: Wealth Consists of Few Wants

Epictetus Money Quotation saying it’s all about perception, we perceive ourselves wealthy when we have all we desire and need little more. Epictetus said:
 

 

“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants” — Epictetus

Epictetus is saying that true wealth or richness is not defined by the possessions one has, but rather by how few desires or wants a person has. He is suggesting that being content with little and not desiring excess material goods is what leads to a feeling of wealth.

By having few wants, one is less dependent on acquiring possessions to feel fulfilled. So Epictetus sees focusing on inner peace rather than outward displays of wealth as the path to feeling truly wealthy.