money is good servant but bad master essay

Essay on “Money is a Good Servant, But a Bad Master” for Kids and Students, English Essay, Paragraph, Speech for Class 8, 9, 10, 12

Money is a Good Servant, But a Bad Master

No doubt, money is an essential, almost indispensable article in the present-day world. It is the ‘money’ through which we can purchase all the necessary comforts and amenities of life. If you have money, you can obtain what seems impossible to others. It is the money that gives man, confidence, creditworthiness, credentials, capacity, capabilities, and courage. In the present-day materialistic world, money has come off very powerful. In the present day corruption, cut-throat competition, callous degradation of moral and ethical values, are for the sake of grabbing and accumulating more and more money. The prestige, respect, social status, commanded by a person is calculated as per his monetary status.

Time has gone, when we valued a person in terms of his moral and ethical values. People were earlier known for keeping their words, for donating everything to a donee. Now people are known in terms of their ranking in the list of rich in the world. Money has become the center of all activities. Money and muscle power have become fundamental ingredients of a successful political leader. Money is considered omnipotent by a few people, particularly by the poor. As whatever one does not possess, one aspires it badly, and it is the mono aim of achievement. For the rich, that owe lots of money, still craving to earn more and more, by hook or by crook. With fair or foul means, without caring even for their own health, own family. They are the servants of money, earning money not for the sake of themselves but for the sake of money and a time comes they find themselves unable to use the money for their happiness. They are unable to eat, unable to taste the most delicious dish, unable to move, walk or enjoy because they suffer from many diseases which are the result of their undue craving for wealth at the cost of health. Can one purchase anything with the power of money?

No, one cannot you cannot purchase inner satisfaction with money, you cannot purchase the lost youthfulness with money, you cannot purchase time from the death at any cost.

Those who earn money simply to have more money, more balance in their accounts are no better than the proverbial miser king ‘Midas’. Excessive love for money, make a man slave of money. Money is important for our life, but it is not the most important thing for a human being. Those who use the money for fulfilling their necessities, acquiring reasonable comforts, and for the welfare of a common good, are the masters of money.

But those who earn money just for the sake of increasing its volume and number are slaves of the money. They are the most unfortunate creatures of God who know well that whatever money they are earning, can’t be taken as an iota of that when they die even they are minting more and more money. What a paradox!

Money has become their master and they are just slaves, having no peace of mind, no moral and ethical values, no inner satisfaction.

So it is rightly said that MONEY IS A GOOD SERVANT BUT A BAD MASTER . Let us use the money for our comfort, not for the sake of money, minting more and more money.

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Money is a good servant, but a bad master

This page is about the saying "Money is a good servant, but a bad master"

Possible meaning: If you have money, it will serve you and work for you well. But if you owe money to other people, that money will control you in an unpleasant way.

If it's true that "money is a good servant, but a bad master", which of these would be preferable?

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Money is a Good servant, but a Bad Master

Essays Money is a Good servant, but a Bad Master

Category : Essays

No doubt, Money is an essential, almost indispensable article in the present day world. It is the' money' through which we can purchase am I the necessary comforts and amenities of life. If you have money, you can obtain what seems impossible to others. It is the money which give? man, confidence, credit worthiness, credentials, capacity, capabilities and courage. In present day materialistic world, money has become very powerful. In the present day corruption, cut throat competition, callous degradation of moral and ethical values, are for the sake of grabbing and accumulating more and more money. The prestige, respect, social status, commanded by a person is calculated as per his monetary status.

Time has gone, when we valued a person in (earns of his moral and ethical values. People were earlier known for keeping their words, for donating everything to a done. Now people are known in terms of their ranking in the list of rich of the world. Money has become the centre of all activities. Money and muscle power have become essential ingredients of a successful political leader.

Money is regarded as omnipotent by a few people, particularly by the poor. As whatever one does not possess, one aspires it badly, and it becomes mono aim of achievement. For the rich, that owe lots of money, still craving to earn more and more, by hook or by crook, with fairer foul means, without caring even for their own health, own family. They are the servants of money, earning money not for the sake of themselves but for the sake of money and a time comes they find themselves unable to use the money for their happiness. They are unable to eat. Unable to taste the most delicious dish. unable to move, walk or enjoy because they suffer from many diseases which are the result of their undue craving for wealth al the cost of health, can one purchase anything with the power of money?

No, one cannot. You cannot purchase inner satisfaction with money, you cannot purchase the lost youthfulness with money, you cannot purchase time from the death at any cost.

 Those who earn money simply to a have more money, more balance in their accounts is no better than the proverbial miser king 'Midas'. Excessive love for money, make a man slave of money. Money is important for our life. but it is not the most important thing for « human being. Those who use money for fulfilling their necessities, acquiring reasonable comforts and for the welfare of common good are the masters of money. But those who earn money just for the sake of increasing its volume and number are slaves of the money. They are the most unfortunate creatures of God who know well that whatever money they are earning, can't be taken an iota of that when they die even they are minting more and more money. What a paradox’ Money has become their master and they are just slaves, having no peace of mind, no moral and ethical values, no inner satisfaction.

So it is rightly said that money is a good servant but a bad master. Let us use the money for our comfort, not for the sake of money, minting more and more money.

1. indispensable —absolutely necessary or required.  2. amenities —pleasant quality; attractiveness. 3. Credentials —certification, accreditation, testimonials. 4. materialistic — mundane, carnal, earthly-minded, object-oriented. 5. callous —unfeeling, insensitive, inured, hardened. 6. degradation —debasement, depravity, degeneration. 7. ethical — humane, moral, upright. 8. grabbing —grasp, clutch, snatch. 9. monophony —music having a single melody. 10. craving —need, longing, yearning. 11. paradox —mystery, enigma, ambiguity. 12. minting —coining, making coins, minting, 13. slave —fettered. shackled, trussed up, manacled. 14. proverbial —commonplace, axiomatic, current, general.

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Money is a good servant, but a bad master.

No doubt, money is an essential, almost indispensable article in the present-day world. It is the ‘money’ through which we can purchase all the necessary comforts and amenities of life. If you have money, you can obtain what seems impossible to others. It is money that gives confidence, credit worthiness, credentials, capacity, capabilities, and courage to a man. In the present materialistic world, money has become very powerful. In the present day, corruption, cutthroat competition, and callous degradation of moral and ethical values are for the sake of grabbing and accumulating more and more money. The prestige, respect, and social status commanded by a person are calculated as per his monetary status.

Money is regarded as omnipotent by a few people, particularly the poor. As whatever one does not possess, one aspires to it badly, and it becomes a mono aim of achievement. For the rich that owe lots of money, they still crave to earn more and more by hook or by crook, with fair or foul means, without caring even for their own health or family. They are the servants of money, earning money not for the sake of themselves but for the sake of money, and when the time comes, they find themselves unable to use the money for their happiness. They are unable to eat, unable to taste the most delicious dish, and unable to move, walk, or enjoy themselves because they suffer from many diseases that are the result of their undue craving for wealth at the cost of their health.

Those who earn money simply to have more money and more balance in their accounts are no better than the proverbial miser king, ‘Midas’. Excessive love for money makes a man a slave to money. Those who use money for fulfilling their necessities, acquiring reasonable comforts, and for the welfare of a common good are the masters of money. But those who earn money just for the sake of increasing its volume and number are slaves to the money. They are the most unfortunate creatures of God, who know well that whatever money they are earning can’t be carried along an iota of that when they die, even though they are minting more and more money. What a paradox! Money has become their master, and they are just slaves, having no peace of mind, no moral and ethical values, and no inner satisfaction.

So it is rightly said that money is a good servant but a bad master. Let us earn the money for our comfort, not for the sake of minting more and more money.

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Money is a good servant but a bad master.: Learn what the means through example!

What does “money is a good servant but a bad master.” mean.

"Money is a good servant but a bad master" means that money can be a useful tool if used wisely and appropriately, but if one becomes obsessed with accumulating wealth, it can become a destructive force that controls one’s life. It suggests that people should use money as a means to an end, rather than an end in itself.

What context can I use the in?

He used to be a humble person, but now he's completely changed. Money is a good servant but a bad master.

She realized that she had been prioritizing money over everything else in her life. Money is a good servant but a bad master.

They thought that having more money would bring them happiness, but they soon realized that *money is a good servant but a bad master.

Is “Money is a good servant but a bad master.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Money is a good servant but a bad master.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Money is a good servant but a bad master.” effectively in context?

You can use "Money is a good servant but a bad master" to emphasize the importance of using money wisely and not letting it control your life. For example, if someone is becoming too focused on accumulating wealth at the expense of their relationships or well-being, you might say, 'Remember, money is a good servant but a bad master. Don't let it consume you.'

They thought that having more money would bring them happiness, but they soon realized that money is a good servant but a bad master.

Similar phrases to “Money is a good servant but a bad master.”:

Money can't buy happiness

This phrase means that material wealth does not guarantee true happiness or fulfillment in life.

He thought that buying expensive things would make him happy, but he soon realized that money can't buy happiness.

Put your money where your mouth is

This phrase means that one should back up their words with action or financial support.

If you truly believe in this cause, why don't you put your money where your mouth is and donate?

A penny saved is a penny earned

This phrase means that saving money is just as valuable as earning money.

She decided to cut back on unnecessary expenses because she believed that a penny saved is a penny earned.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “money is a good servant but a bad master.” come from.

The origin of the phrase "Money is a good servant but a bad master" is unknown.

Is “Money is a good servant but a bad master.” common in everyday conversation?

The phrase "Money is a good servant but a bad master" is not as common in everyday conversation as some other proverbs, but it is still recognizable and understood by many English speakers. It is often used in discussions about personal finance, values, and the pursuit of happiness.

What tone does “Money is a good servant but a bad master.” have?

"Money is a good servant but a bad master" conveys a tone of caution and wisdom. It encourages people to reflect on their relationship with money and reminds them of the potential dangers of becoming too obsessed with wealth.

Can “Money is a good servant but a bad master.” be used in informal and formal settings?

The phrase "Money is a good servant but a bad master" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a thought-provoking proverb that can be used in discussions about personal finance, values, and life choices. It is suitable for conversations with friends, family, colleagues, as well as in more formal contexts such as presentations or written essays.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

The phrase is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'He used to be a humble person, but now he's completely changed. Money is a good servant but a bad master.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Remember, "money is a good servant but a bad master"' to remind someone of the importance of using money wisely.

Synonyms & Antonyms

• use money wisely
• don't let money control you
• money should serve you, not the other way around
• be mindful of your relationship with money
• don't be a slave to money
• money is the key to happiness
• money is everything
• money is the ultimate goal
• money equals success
• money is the master

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English Essay, Paragraph, Speech on “Money is a good servant, but a bad master” 200 Words Essay for Class 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Students.

Money is a good servant, but a bad master.

Nobody would be foolish enough to deny that money is an essential, almost indispensable commodity in present-day life, money is necessary and convenient means of exchange through which man can obtain all the necessities, comforts, and amenities of life. A penniless creature is a miserable being, unable to keep even his body and soul together. It is money which gives man courage, confidence, and social prestige. Hence, as a means to procure these, it is everybody’s duty to earn money. On the other hand, the love of money for its own sake is a curse indeed. Those who earn money simply to have a fat bank balance or a pile of treasure at home are no better than the proverbial miser king Midas. Excessive love of money is avarice—one of the deadly sins against which man is required to guard himself. An avaricious man becomes a slave to money. He develops a narrow, selfish outlook. Lust for wealth degrades human character. It makes him mean, cruel, and even dishonest.

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Money is a great servant but a bad master.

What's the meaning of this quote?

Quote Meaning: "Money is a great servant but a bad master" encapsulates a profound truth about the role of wealth in our lives and societies. At its core, this quote emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy perspective on money and its influence. It suggests that while money can serve us well when managed wisely and used for positive purposes, it can also become detrimental when it exerts control over our lives.

In essence, the phrase acknowledges the dual nature of money: as a tool for facilitating transactions, realizing goals, and improving lives, and as a potential source of corruption, greed, and imbalance when allowed to wield undue power. To truly understand the depth of this statement, it's crucial to explore its implications in various contexts.

As a "great servant," money empowers individuals and societies to achieve their aspirations. It can fund education, healthcare, infrastructure, and innovation, enhancing the quality of life and driving progress. Moreover, money enables charitable endeavors, philanthropy, and social welfare programs that address pressing issues and uplift marginalized communities. In these ways, money serves as a catalyst for positive change and societal advancement.

However, when money assumes the role of a "bad master," its influence can lead to a myriad of adverse consequences. When individuals prioritize the accumulation of wealth above all else, they may compromise their values, relationships, and well-being in pursuit of financial gain. The relentless pursuit of wealth can foster a culture of materialism, where happiness is equated with material possessions and financial success, often at the expense of deeper fulfillment and human connection.

Moreover, when money becomes the primary measure of worth and status in society, it can exacerbate inequality and injustice. Those who possess wealth wield disproportionate influence over political, economic, and social systems, perpetuating cycles of privilege and disadvantage. This concentration of power can undermine democratic principles, marginalize marginalized groups, and exacerbate social divisions, leading to widespread discontent and disillusionment.

Furthermore, the pursuit of wealth at any cost can engender unethical behavior, corruption, and exploitation. When individuals prioritize financial gain over ethical considerations, they may engage in deceitful practices, exploitation of labor, environmental degradation, and disregard for human rights. In doing so, they perpetuate systemic injustices and undermine the very fabric of society, eroding trust, and integrity in institutions and fostering a culture of cynicism and moral decay.

In essence, the quote "Money is a great servant but a bad master" underscores the importance of maintaining a balanced and conscientious relationship with wealth. While money can facilitate progress and improve lives when wielded responsibly, it must not become the sole measure of human worth or the driving force behind our actions. Instead, we must strive to cultivate values of empathy, integrity, and social responsibility, ensuring that money remains a servant to humanity rather than its master. Only then can we harness its potential to create a more equitable, compassionate, and sustainable world for all.

Who said the quote?

The quote "Money is a great servant but a bad master." is often attributed to Francis Bacon ( Quotes ). Francis Bacon is the philosopher and statesman who made significant advancements in the scientific method and empirical reasoning during the Renaissance.

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Money is a good servant, but a bad master

2022, Fr. Pawel Rytel-Andrianik

Proverbs are the wisdom of peoples, and they too can make a fitting commentary on the Gospel. For example, a French proverb says that money is a good servant but a bad master. A similar conclusion follows from the Gospel verses for today's Sunday.

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Quote Investigator®

Tracing Quotations

Government Is Like Fire, a Dangerous Servant and a Fearful Master

George Washington? John Tillotson? Jonathan Swift? James Fenimore Cooper? Frederick Uttley Laycock? Robert Heinlein? Apocryphal?

Dear Quote Investigator: A cautionary statement about statecraft has often been attributed to George Washington. Here are three versions:

1) Government is like fire, a dangerous servant and a fearful master. 2) Government, like fire, is a troublesome servant and a terrible master. 3) A government is like fire, a handy servant, but a dangerous master.

Washington died in 1799, but I have seen no citations in the 1700s or 1800s; therefore, I am suspicious. Would you please examine the provenance of this remark?

Quote Investigator: Several researchers have attempted to trace this saying, and no substantive evidence supporting the ascription to George Washington has yet been located. The earliest linkage to Washington appeared in “The Christian Science Journal” in 1902 which was more than one hundred years after his death. Boldface has been added to excerpts: [1] 1902 November, The Christian Science Journal, Volume 20, Number 8, Liberty and Government by W. M., Start Page 465, Quote Page 465, Published by the Christian Science Publishing Society, Boston, … Continue reading

The first President of the United States said: “ Government is not reason, it is not eloquence,—it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant, and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.”

The master-servant metaphorical framework has a very long history. In 1562 water was described as a good servant but a cruel master. The spelling of the period was not standardized as shown by this excerpt: [2] Year: Imprint date 1579 (Date on document 1562), Title: Bulleins bulwarke of defence against all sicknesse, soarenesse, and woundes that doe dayly assaulte mankinde: which bulwarke is kept with … Continue reading

Rayne water is bynding and stopping of nature, water is a very good seruaunt, but it is a cruell mayster.

In 1637 the report of a great conflagration led a writer to state that fire and water were both good servants but evil masters. Indeed, the context suggested that this assertion was already considered proverbial. The word “evil” was spelled “evill”: [3] Year: 1637, Title: Monro his expedition with the worthy Scots Regiment (called Mac-Keyes Regiment) levied in August 1626 by Sr. Donald Mac-Key Lord Rhees, colonell for his Majesties service of … Continue reading

… the Temple St Marke was almost all burnt, and the Dukes Palace was preserved with great difficulty; which verifies, that fire and water are good servants but evill masters.

A sermon in 1674 employed the master-servant figurative language by embedding it within a simile about fancy. Here “fancy” meant imagination with a strong connotation of desire: [4] 1674, A Supplement to the Morning-exercise at Cripple-gate Or Several More Cases of Conscience Practically, Resolved by Sundry Ministers, Sermon 19: The Sinfulness and Cure of Thoughts by Mr. S. C., … Continue reading

Fancy is like fire, a good Servant but a bad Master; if it march under the conduct of faith it may be highly serviceable, and by putting lively colours upon divine truth may steal away our affections to it.

The words attributed to George Washington followed the same template, but “government” was substituted for “fancy”. Examples presented below will show that over time each of the following terms has been placed into the simile template: “zeal”, “the passions”, “love”, and “the press”. In addition, the following terms have replaced “fire and water” within the proverb: “the bank”, “the press”, and “opium”. These examples are not meant to be exhaustive; instead, they illustrate the variability of the expressions.

Interestingly, the instances ascribed to Washington have shifted the semantics of the phrase about fire. Traditionally, fire was described as a good servant, but the revised remark used words such as dangerous and troublesome. Hence, the connotations of fire were negative as both a servant and a master.

Here are additional selected citations in chronological order.

In 1682 the Archbishop of Canterbury John Tillotson preached a sermon titled “The Danger of Zeal without Knowledge”, and he employed the simile template with “zeal” instead of “government” or “fancy”: [5] Year: 1700, Title: Arch-Bishop Tillotson’s: Sixteen Sermons, Preached on Several Subjects and Occasions, Volume 2, Author: John Tillotson, Late Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, Editor: Ralph … Continue reading

There is nothing oftner misleads Men, than a misguided Zeal; it is an ignis fatuus, a false fire, which often leads Men into Boggs and Precipices; it appears in the Night, in dark and ignorant and weak minds, and offers it self a guide to those who have lost their way; it is one of the most ungovernable Passions of Human Nature, and therefore requires great knowledge and judgment to manage it, and keep it within bounds. It is like fire, a good Servant, but a bad Master . . .

In 1732 a collection of adages and witty sayings called “Gnomologia” included two relevant entries. One entry repeated the proverb about fire and water, and the other entry placed “the passions” into the simile template: [6] 1732, Gnomologia: Adagies and Proverbs; Wise Sentences and Witty Sayings, Collected by Thomas Fuller, Quote Pages 58 and 203, Printed for B. Barker, A. Bettesworth, and C. Hitch, London. (Google … Continue reading

1) Fire and Water are good Servants, but bad Masters. 2) The Passions are like Fire and Water; good Servants but bad Masters.

In 1738 the prominent literary figure Jonathan Swift writing under the pseudonym Simon Wagstaff published “A Complete Collection of Genteel and Ingenious Conversation”. The proverb about fire and water was included, but the context suggested that Swift was criticizing the banality of the speaker: [7] 1738, A Complete Collection of Genteel and Ingenious Conversation: According to the Most Polite Mode and Method Now Used at Court, and in the Best Companies of England by Simon Wagstaff (Jonathan … Continue reading

Ld. Sparkish. You know, his House was burnt down to the Ground. Col. Yes; it was in the News: Why Fire and Water are good Servants, but they are very bad Masters.

In 1746 an essay by Sir John Barnard about raising money for the British government employed a metaphor with the term “the Bank” replacing “Fire and Water” in the statement immediately above: [8] 1746, A Defence of Several Proposals for Raising of Three Millions for the Service of the Government for the Year 1746 by Sir John Barnard, Quote Page 33, Printed for J. Osborn, London. (Google Books … Continue reading

I say further, That the Bank is a very good Servant, but a very bad Master; and it would be very easy to prove, that the Bank depends as much, for their Flourishing, on the Favour of the Government, as the Government does on the Assistance of the Bank; and therefore the Benefits ought to be reciprocal.

In 1785 “The Gentleman’s Magazine” printed an article with a set of resolutions directed toward older people. The term “love” was placed into the simile template: [9] 1785 August, The Gentleman’s Magazine, Volume 55, A Set of Resolutions for Old Age, Start Page 581, Quote Page 582, Printed by John Nichols for David Henry, London. (Google Books Full View) link [10] 1785 September, The Edinburgh Magazine, or Literary Miscellany, Set of Resolutions, Start Page 125, Quote Page 126, Printed by MacFarquhar and Elliot for J. Sibbalp, Edinburgh. (Google Books Full … Continue reading

Love, like fire, is a good servant, but a bad master. Love is death, when the animal spirits are gone.

In 1809 a newspaper in Baltimore, Maryland described a dinner party that was attended by some members of the U.S. Congress. A toast offered at the event placed the term “the Press” into the proverb instead of “fire”: [11] 1809 July 11, Federal Republican, (News item from Lancaster, July 7), Quote Page 2, Column 5, Baltimore, Maryland. (GenealogyBank)

The Press—A good servant, but a bad master —may its freedom remain unimpaired; but may it never be encouraged in proscribing private character, or dictating measures to the representatives of the nation.

In 1832 a letter from a doctor that was published in “The Boston Morning Post” in Massachusetts placed the term “Opium” into the proverb instead of ‘fire”: [12] 1832 July 27, The Boston Morning Post (Boston Post) (Letter from W. Hunt M.D. about the treatment of cholera), Quote Page 2, Column 1, Boston, Massachusetts. (Newspapers_com)

Dr N. observes, in the first stage the most sedative treatment is essential, whilst in the second, the very opposite, that of excitation. I think Opium is a good servant, but a bad master.

In 1838 the popular novelist James Fenimore Cooper published a non-fiction work titled “The American Democrat”, and he included an instance of the simile using the term “the press”: [13] 1838, The American Democrat by J. Fenimore Cooper, On the Press, Start Page 124, Quote Page 125, Published by H. & E. Phinney, Cooperstown, New York. (Google Books Full View) link

It is a misfortune that necessity has induced men to accord greater license to this formidable engine, in order to obtain liberty, than can be borne with less important objects in view; for the press, like fire, is an excellent servant, but a terrible master.

In 1869 the famous showman Phineas Taylor Barnum published the memoir “Struggles and Triumphs: Or, Forty Years’ Recollections of P. T. Barnum”. He applied the simile to money: [14] 1869, Struggles and Triumphs: Or, Forty Years’ Recollections of P. T. Barnum by Phineas Taylor Barnum, Chapter 31: The Art of Money Getting, Quote Page 473 and 474, J. B. Burr & Company, … Continue reading

Money is in some respects like fire — it is a very excellent servant but a terrible master. When you have it mastering you, when interest is constantly piling up against you, it will keep you down in the worst kind of slavery. But let money work for you, and you have the most devoted servant in the world.

In 1902 in “The Christian Science Journal” printed the saying under examination with an ascription to George Washington as noted previously in this article:

In 1907 “Motives of Mankind: A Study of Human Evolutionary Forces by Frederick Uttley Laycock was published, and the term “government” was placed into the simile template, but Washington was not credited. This version referred to both fire and water. Also, the phrase “good servant” was used instead of “dangerous servant’; thus, the continuity with past instances was clearer: [15] 1907, Motives of Mankind: A Study of Human Evolutionary Forces by F. U. Laycock (Frederick Uttley Laycock), Quote Page 190, The Open Road Publishing Co., London. (Google Books full view) link

Government, like fire and water, may be a good servant, but is a bad master. It is not difficult to realise that when we think of the motives of the individual.

In 1915 the famous muckraking author Upton Sinclair released “The Cry for Justice: An Anthology of the Literature of Social Protest”, and he included a short item with the saying attributed to Washington: [16] 1915, The Cry for Justice: An Anthology of the Literature of Social Protest, Edited by Upton Sinclair, Quote page 305, Published by Upton Sinclair, New York and Pasadena, California. (Google Books … Continue reading

By George Washington (First president of the United States, 1732-1799) GOVERNMENT is not reason, it is not eloquence — it is force! Like fire it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.

In 1927 a version of the simile with ‘government” was printed in “The Milwaukee Journal” of Wisconsin, and no attribution was given: [17] 1927 June 24, Milwaukee Journal, Where Newspapers Aid The Government, (Acknowledgement to Longview, Wash., News), Quote Page 2, Column 8, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Google News Archive)

Government, like fire, is a good servant, but a bad master. Let either once escape from the most rigorous control and its tendency is to spread in every direction and seize upon whatever it touches that can be converted into fuel to strengthen and extend it.

In 1929 a version of the simile was printed in the “St. Petersburg Times” of Florida, and no attribution was given: [18] 1929 January 15, St. Petersburg Times, The Good That Publicists Do, Section 1, Page 4, Column 2, St. Petersburg, Florida. (Google News Archive)

Government, like fire, is a good servant, but a bad master.

In 1966 the well-known science fiction author Robert A. Heinlein published the prize-winning novel “The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress” which included a futuristic instance of the simile: [19] 1987 (Copyright 1966), The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein, Quote Page 240 and 241, Published Ace Books, New York. (Verified with scans in 1987 edition; not yet verified in 1966 … Continue reading

Comrade Members, like fire and fusion, government is a dangerous servant and a terrible master. You now have freedom—if you can keep it. But do remember that you can lose this freedom more quickly to yourselves than to any other tyrant.

In conclusion, the connection of the saying to George Washington is currently unsupported. Yet, servant-master metaphors for fire and water have a long history that extends back before the birth of Washington. Also, the simile built on the metaphor was applied to “fancy” and “zeal” in the 1600s. Thus, QI would be unsurprised if future researchers locate examples before 1902 of the simile applied to “government”.

(Great thanks to Dennis Lien whose inquiry led QI to formulate this question and perform this exploration. Many thanks to Barry Popik for his very valuable research on this topic located here . Special thanks to the reference “Respectfully Quoted” edited by Suzy Platt which examined this saying and provided evidence that the ascription to Washington was probably apocryphal.)

Update History: On December 28, 2016 the P.T. Barnum citation of 1869 was added to the article.

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Money: A Bad Master

Faith & finance with rob west | dec 10, 2022.

English statesman Francis Bacon once wrote, “Money is a great servant but a bad master.” Either we can control money … or it can control us. Today on MoneyWise, we’ll talk about how you can make money a great servant.

• We hear a lot that “money can’t buy happiness.” But it’s often followed by a joke along the lines of, “Sure, but it makes misery more comfortable.” The truth is that even thinking that money can buy happiness can make matters worse. 1 Timothy 6:10 reads, “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil … and some by longing for it … have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
• Expecting that more money will always make your life better is a recipe for disappointment — or worse.
• MONEY AND HAPPINESS
• The Ron Blue Trust has a great article on this . It points out that there’s a disconnect between what the world says and what the world does. It may tell you that "money can't buy happiness," but then it tries to convince you that it can.
• TV commercials are notorious for conveying the message that buying the latest car, clothes, or gadget will make your life better. Of course, you need money to buy those things, so what is the commercial really saying? That more money will make your life more enjoyable.
• But often the reverse is true. More money can actually lead to less joy in your life. The greater your wealth, the greater the burden it can put on your life if things begin to own you instead of the other way around.
• How do we know it’s true? We can listen to folks who had more money than they knew what to do with. John D. Rockefeller, who amassed about $420 billion with his Standard Oil Company, said plainly, "I have made many millions, but they have brought me no happiness."
• Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company and at his death in 1947, he was worth around 200 billion in today’s dollars. What did he say about having vast wealth? "I was happier when I was doing a mechanic's job."
• Of course, Scripture has its own story. King Solomon, whom the Bible tells us was the richest man who ever lived, writes in Ecclesiastes 5:10, “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income, this also is vanity.”
• So those are all people who experienced great wealth but none of the joy that we expect to come with it.
• In his book, Generous Living, Ron Blue says this is based on two wrong assumptions.
• First, that more money will give you more freedom and satisfaction. Second, that more money will take away your fear of not having enough. But in reality, more money often just creates new problems.
• Ron put it like this, quoting now— "Since there are always unlimited ways to spend limited dollars, it doesn't matter whether you make $20,000 or $200,000 per year. You will always have choices to make. More money simply means more choices. And more choices mean more complexity, more confusion, and more time spent mulling over options. Taken together, all of these things add up to less freedom."
• Okay, so instead of reducing fear, having more assets can actually increase it, because the more you have in your home or investment accounts, the more you have to lose. We see that panic every time the stock market takes a dive, as it did this year.
• WHAT’S THE ANSWER?
• So what’s the solution? It’s what we say time and time again, the only way to get rid of your financial fears is to acknowledge that it’s not your money. When you fully assume your correct role as steward of the resources God entrusts to you, you begin to put your trust in Him, not money.
• The Lord will always provide for your needs. What He expects in return is that you honor Him with the way you use it. And that includes managing it wisely and being generous to those less fortunate.
• There’s nothing wrong with enjoying God’s provision. He wants that for us. But things quickly turn bad when we expect our bank accounts to take away fear and give us peace and security. Only God can do that.

On this program, Rob also answers listener questions:

• Is there a way to get out of a timeshare?
• Should a church invest money?
• What is the best way to invest for retirement as an entrepreneur?
• What’s the wisest way to sell a business without paying a painful amount in taxes?
• What is the best way to invest money in the current market?

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Wealthfront
• Schwab Intelligent Portfolio
• National Christian Foundation

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000 or email them to [email protected] . Also, visit our website at MoneyWise.org where you can connect with a MoneyWise Coach, join the MoneyWise Community, and even download the free MoneyWise app.

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Proverbs and Sayings on Money [With Meaning and Example]

• Figurative Language
• Published on Mar 5, 2023

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Proverbs and sayings are popular nuggets of wisdom, often in circulation for centuries and even millenniums. This post contains proverbs and sayings on money, divided under seven categories .

If you’re looking for more proverbs and sayings, you can find plenty of them in the resource below. It contains proverbs on topics such as life, family, friends, love, health, happiness, money, hard work, time, time management, teamwork, leadership, business, education & learning, and more.

1. Money is influential

A rich man’s joke is always funny..

People agree with and flatter rich people to be in good books with them.

Example : The rich kid in my college was always surrounded by classmates who were overzealous to flatter him and keep him in good humour. A rich man’s joke is always funny.

Everyone loves a lord.

Everyone wants to associate with a person of higher social or economic status. Don’t we?

Example : Tom: This guy seems to be ingratiating with every rich and popular guy here. Jerry: Yes, he is, but why single him out. Everyone loves a lord.

Money talks.

Money can influence, make things happen.

Example : When he got into legal trouble, he hired the best lawyers and escaped the penalty. Money does talk.

Money is power.

Money can get you most things, including some level of happiness. Moneyed people attract influential circle. Need we say more.

Example : Her new-found wealth is attracting new ‘friends’ every day. Who says money isn’t power?

Money makes the mare go.

Similar to the last one

Opportunity makes a thief.

If the opportunity is too tempting, anyone can become a thief.

Example : Turn the pages of history, and you’ll find that tallest names have fallen to unethical money. Opportunity can certainly make a thief.

Participate in a short survey

If you’re a learner or teacher of English language, you can help improve website’s content for the visitors through a short survey.

The dog wags his tail not for you, but for your bread.

A Portuguese proverb. If you’re rich, remember that many around you are there because of your money and not for you.

Example : I thought I had plenty of friends in college because of my multi-faceted personality. But after our family’s fortunes swung for worse, most friends disappeared. Then I realized that the dog wags his tail not for you, but for your bread.

He who pays the piper calls the tune.

He who finances a venture has the right to make important decisions with respect to that venture.

Example : The investors made most of the critical decisions in my friend’s coffee business. After all, he who pays the piper calls the tune.

2. Moneyless

Who depends on another man’s table often dines late..

An Italian proverb. If you depend on others for money and other resources, the day is not far when you’ll get step-brotherly treatment.

Example : My friend, who was jobless and was staying with his brother’s family then, wasn’t sometimes invited to exclusive events in the city. Who depends on another man’s table often dines late.

Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

It’s good to have money as cushion for bad times. You never know when an unexpected need might arise.

Example : My friend had to run from pillar to post to raise funds for his father’s medical emergency as he didn’t have enough savings. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Better a steady dime than a rare dollar.

Habits and predictability make our lives easy. Have you worked in a job where your hours (leaving time, at least) varied randomly? If you’ve to leave at 3 PM one day, 5 PM another day, and 10 PM another day? Most will rather prefer leaving at 6 PM every day even if they’ve to work more hours overall. Same applies with money. A small but steady amount is preferable over a larger, though rare, payoff.

Example : I landed a contract last month with a good payoff, but it’ll last just a year, and then I’ll have to search for another. Better a steady dime than a rare dollar.

From shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations.

The first generation works hard to establish a business and create wealth, the second generation runs the business, and the third ruins it and brings it back to nought. (‘Shirtsleeves’ is used to describe people who work hard.)

Example : Several family businesses have bitten dust because of unwillingness of subsequent generations to adapt to changed market realities. From shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations.

From clogs to clogs is only three generations.

A moneyless man goes fast through the market..

A poor person doesn’t have the luxury to shop around excess. He goes straight for the bare necessities and hence finishes his shopping quickly.

Example : During my struggling days, I used to do my grocery quickly, keeping an eye on the budget. Being a moneyless man, I used to go fast through the market.

He that hath no silver in his purse should have silk in his tongue.

A person who depends on others for financial or other assistance cannot offend them by speaking impolitely.

Example : You’ve to be at your most polite behavior when communicating with clients, making sure they’re not offended in any way. After all, our Company exists because of them. He that hath no silver in his purse should have silk in his tongue.

Another day, another dollar.

The proverb refers to the daily grind, often soul-crushing, most of us go through at the workplace. This usually leads to dissatisfaction and people start looking for another job.

Example : Tom: How was your work today? Jerry: Nothing eventful. Another day, another dollar.

Don’t empty the water jar until the rain falls.

A Filipino proverb. Don’t quit your source of income before you’ve secured the next one.

Example : After getting an average review in his Annual Performance Appraisal, my friend left the organization without landing another job, and then he struggled to get another for several months. Don’t empty the water jar until the rain falls.

A hungry wolf is fixed to no place.

Just as a hungry wolf will move from place to place to find food, a person with limited means will hop from job to job for a better pay cheque.

Example : Some people hop from one job to the other just for the pay cheque. A hungry wolf is fixed to no place.

3. Savings and debt

There are two mantras to financial freedom: save and avoid debt.

A penny saved is a penny earned.

Saving money is as good as earning money: the net result is money in hand.

Example : Tom: How did you manage to own a house despite such a modest income? Jerry: I saved regularly. A penny saved is a penny earned.

Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves.

If you save small amounts regularly, you’ll have large sum in due course.

Example : My father saved $500 every month for several years, which enabled him to buy a house. He looked after the pennies and pounds looked after themselves.

Money begets money.

You can invest the money you have to earn more money.

Example : Financial institutions such as banks and pension funds invest the deposits they receive and earn money on them. Money begets money.

Get what you can and keep what you have; that’s the way to get rich.

A Scottish proverb. Earn and save. That’s the way to get rich.

Example : He can lead such a lifestyle because he gets what he can and keeps what he has. That’s the way to get rich.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

Don’t put your savings in just 1-2 financial instruments. In other words, diversify.

Example : More than 50 percent of Tom’s savings were in shares of just one Company. When it tanked, he lost significant portion of his savings. It’s rightly said, don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

Stretch your arm no further than your sleeve will reach.

Don’t live a lifestyle that overextends your means and hence forces you to live on credit.

Example : My friend expends more than his income can afford. His lifestyle will soon come crashing down once his credit sources run dry, and they eventually will. One should stretch his arm no further than his sleeve will reach.

Interest on debt grows without rain.

Plants need sunshine and water (or rain) to grow, but interest doesn’t need any favourable conditions to grow. It only needs a debt.

Example : No way I can take another debt to finance the car. I already have significant outstanding debt, and I know very well that interest on debt grows without rain.

Money is a good servant but a bad master.

If you’ve money and if you can put it to good use, then it’s a good servant. But if you owe others money, it’ll control you and affect you adversely.

Example : I can’t quit my job despite my strong disliking for it because I’m still repaying two loans. It’s rightly said that money is a good servant but a bad master.

He is rich who owes nothing.

A French proverb. Some people may look rich outwardly, but, in reality, are neck deep in debt and other obligations. If you’re free of obligations – financial and others – then you’re truly rich.

Example : I don’t have significant outstanding debt, and therefore I consider myself to be better off than some of my friends who earn far more but are deep in debt. He is rich who owes nothing.

Pay as you go and nothing you’ll owe.

If you pay as and when you buy, you’ll not get into debt.

Example : I resist buying unless I’ve cash surplus to pay. Pay as you go and nothing you’ll owe.

Out of debt, out of danger.

If you’re out of debt, you’re out of clutches of the creditor. In some parts of the world, money lenders in rural areas charge exorbitant interest rates (40+ percent per annum) and usurp landholding and other assets of the debtor in case of default.

Example : The Company sold some of its assets and raised some equity money to repay significant part of the outstanding debt. The promoters can breathe easy now as they saved the Company. Out of debt, out of danger.

4. Freebies and cheats

The only free cheese is in the mousetrap..

A Russian proverb. There rarely are completely free offers; they come attached with hooks. So, beware of such offers.

Example : The film actor got a 4-day stay at heavy discount at a premium hotel in Maldives, but later they used her pictures to promote the hotel. The only free cheese is in the mousetrap.

If you’re not paying, you’re the product.

It’s an internet version of the previous proverb. You can surf social media and access variety of information on websites for free, but it comes at the expense of your privacy (ads shown, etc.).

Example : I get such attractive discounts on this website, but I’m sure they’re making money off me in some or the other way. After all, if you’re not paying, you’re the product.

Many go out for wool and come home shorn themselves.

Many try to make a fortune through investment and other means but end up losing even the money or resources they invested.

Example : Taken in by the promise of high returns, many invested in the multi-level-marketing scheme. Within a year the company shut down, and the investors lost their money. Many go out for wool and come home shorn themselves.

The bait hides the hook.

The hook catches the fish but, in the first place, it’s the bait that brings the fish to the hook. So, beware of an overly attractive offer. It may just be a bait to catch you.

Example : After I joined the weight-loss program that promised reduction of 10 kgs in a month, I was offered gym membership, supplements, and what not. Weight reduction was just the bait, and it hid the hook.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

If an offer seems too attractive to believe, then it’s most likely fraudulent.

Example : Ten percent return per month! Not possible. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

5. Bargains

He who does not ask will never get a bargain..

A French proverb. Many times, there aren’t any bargains on offer, but you can get one if you ask. But if you don’t ask, you don’t get.

Example : My friend got a 10 percent discount on the leather jacket he bought, but I didn’t get any on the same jacket because I didn’t ask. He who does not ask will never get a bargain.

Good bargains empty the purse.

Good bargains can be tempting and entice people into buying more than required, most of which can even go unused.

Example : I bought three trousers and four shirts for 30 percent discount even though I don’t need them. Good bargains indeed empty the purse.

If you buy cheaply, you pay dearly.

Something cheap will be of suspect quality and will trouble you later in the form of higher maintenance and/ or poor performance.

Example : I bought the air conditioner at quite an attractive price, but it’s running a high electricity bill because it’s not very efficient, and it also requires more maintenance. If you buy cheaply, you pay dearly.

If you buy quality, you only cry once.

Conversely, high quality product or service is likely to set you back (in terms of high price) only once.

Example : I bought a five-star efficient air conditioner at a hefty price, but it’s all worth it as it’s quite efficient and hasn’t broken down in a long time. If you buy quality, you only cry once.

6. But money is not everything

The truly rich are those who enjoy what they have..

A Yiddish proverb. Chasing wealth is a never-ending game. It rarely stops at a particular level, and the chasers don’t have enough time and peace of mind to enjoy what they’ve accumulated. Better are those who enjoy what they have.

Example : Many executives have most things money can buy, but they’re a stressed lot due to constant pressure of keeping up with their targets. The truly rich are those who enjoy what they have.

Abundance, like want, ruins many.

A Romanian proverb. Too much money can lead to vices and bad habits, which ruin people.

Example : The tycoon’s son was found unconscious in a luxury hotel. Reports suggest that he had an overdose of drugs. Abundance, like want, ruins many.

A happy heart is better than a full purse.

What’s the use of money if you’re unhappy despite loads of it? Happiness is better than plenty. A 2010 study at Princeton University points that happiness increases with money but only till basic needs are met. After that, money matters much less.

Example : My cousin is a multi-millionaire, but he is super-busy and stressed, with little time to spend time with his family. I guess a happy heart is better than a full purse.

Money cannot buy happiness.

More money doesn’t translate into more happiness. Don’t we read instances of rich and famous being unhappy and depressed, and even committing suicide?

Example : Yesterday, media carried another report of celebrity depression. Money, clearly, cannot buy happiness.

Never marry for money, but marry where money is.

It’s fine to consider money when choosing a spouse, but that shouldn’t be sole or even paramount consideration.

Example : It’s not uncommon to see people marry for wealth, merrily assuming that other things can be adjusted, but divorce isn’t too far in such cases. Never marry for money, but marry where money is.

Shrouds have no pockets.

We arrived in this world without anything, and we’ll leave without anything. We can’t carry anything to our next lives.

Example : What will you do with all the money you’re accumulating at the cost of a peaceful, happy life? As far as I know, shrouds have no pockets.

The best things in life are free.

You don’t need money to enjoy friendship, love, fresh air, water, night sky, and other bounties of nature.

Example : While jogging through the lush green city forest and relishing the clean air, I thought, “The best things in life are free.

Time is money, and it is difficult for one to use money to get time.

You can use time to earn money, but you cannot use money to get back lost time.

Example : Don’t while away your time. You’ll repent it few years down the road. Time is money, and it is difficult for one to use money to get time.

Make hay while the sun shines.

Take advantage of a favorable situation and prosper as much as you can. You never know when the tide turns again.

Example : Most firms increased their production of PPE kit during the pandemic to make hay while the sun shone.

Penny wise, pound foolish.

To save a small amount, some risk a far bigger amount.

Example : My friend bought an expensive car but didn’t insure it to save some money, risking his car. Surely a case of penny wise, pound foolish.

Money has no smell.

Irrespective of source, money has the same value.

Example : My friend gets at least some of his income from not-so-honorable source, but it seems not to affect him as it still pays his bills. Money, after all, has no smell.

Easy come, easy go.

Money you get easily goes away easily.

Example : I splurged $1,000 I won at the casino within days. Easy come, easy go.

Money is root of all evil.

Evil acts can eventually be traced back to someone’s excessive desire for material things.

Example : It’s common to see quarrels, court battles, and even crime in matters of inheritance. Money is root of all evil.

Money, like manure, does no good till it is spread.

Manure improves crop yield when it is spread on a field. Similarly, money benefits people and society when it is spread and invested in different causes (profit or non-profit).

Example : Government is sitting on billions of dollars of corpus arising from unclaimed employee provident fund and other funds. The corpus, like manure, is not doing any good.

The more you get, the more you want.

Pursuit of wealth is insatiable: More money you get, more you want. Such pursuit can lead people on a path where they’re constantly exerting and relegating important things in life to money and fame.

Example : At workplace, people often get in the maddening, never-ending race of promotion, perks, raise, and influence. The more you get, the more you want.

Much would have more.

It is better to be born lucky than rich..

If you’re lucky, you can get rich. But if you’re rich and not lucky, you may lose your wealth.

Example : Seeing my friend lose his significant riches, I think it is better to be born lucky than rich.

If you don’t speculate, you can’t accumulate.

If you don’t take risk, you can’t accumulate wealth.

Example : You’ll unlikely become wealthy in your ‘steady’ job. You need to speculate to accumulate.

He who doesn’t risk never gets to drink champagne.

A Russian proverb. One needs to take risk to land the big prize.

Example : I finally took the leap of faith and started my own work. After initial hiccups, I’m doing much better, both in terms of income and independence, than in my last job. He who doesn’t risk never gets to drink champagne.

The purse of the patient protracts the disease.

If you’ve deep pockets, the service provider may stretch the service period to extract more money from you. For example, if the patient is wealthy, the hospital may prolong the treatment and milk him longer.

Example : The Company’s legal case, for some or the other reason, has been stretching in the court. Maybe the lawyer has self-interest in this. I think it’s the case of purse of the patient protracting the disease.

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Money a Good Servant but a Bad Master- Final Argumentative Essay

When pondering the significance of various facets in our lives, we frequently contemplate whether money holds the ultimate power. Our answer to this query depends on the context. If we were marooned on a deserted island, money would hold no value and offer no assistance in ensuring our survival. Similarly, if we found ourselves drowning amidst great wealth, it would impede rather than aid our chances of rescue. Nevertheless, in the 21st century, it is inconceivable to exist without money except for these theoretical scenarios. As astutely stated by Winnie the Pooh, “The more… the more.”

Undoubtedly, money is crucial for our existence in the modern world as it enables us to meet our basic needs. However, for numerous individuals, money has transformed into a primary objective, leading to ethical and spiritual repercussions. Without a doubt, money grants access to numerous possibilities and opportunities that would be challenging to achieve otherwise. It affords us the chance to explore the world and appreciate remarkable accomplishments of both humanity and nature. Frequently, we attempt to persuade ourselves that money holds no significance.

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Recognizing the importance of human health is widely accepted. If an individual maintains good health, monetary needs may not be as pressing since they can earn income. However, achieving and maintaining good health requires adopting a healthy lifestyle which includes regular exercise and consumption of nutritious food. In present society, gyms have emerged as a convenient location for individuals to engage in physical activity, while healthy food often carries a higher price tag at stores. Thus, having financial resources becomes essential for sustaining a healthy lifestyle.

Furthermore, if someone falls ill, the modern healthcare system necessitates significant funds to access esteemed medical specialists, reputable hospitals, and appropriate medications. It should be noted that some individuals even misuse contemporary medicine.

Excessive spending on cosmetic procedures, such as facial surgeries, breast enlargements, and liposuctions, is common among many individuals. However, these surgeries often result in issues like broken implants or unsatisfactory outcomes. As a consequence, people opt for additional surgeries to enhance their attractiveness. It is crucial for individuals to make wise financial decisions and prioritize essential expenses instead of squandering resources on procedures that could potentially diminish their appeal. Some argue that despite limited finances, they find solace in having peace of mind.

Amidst modern society, many individuals have sufficient resources to meet their daily needs and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. I strongly believe that people should appreciate and be content with what they currently possess instead of constantly desiring more. However, there is a concerning number of young males and females who express dissatisfaction with their current situation and turn to prostitution for financial gain. They prioritize monetary wealth above all else in their value system.

If someone already has enough means to live a respectable life, is it necessary to yearn for more wealth? Should every thought and action revolve around the pursuit of financial prosperity? Is it crucial to view money as the ultimate key to finding happiness, love, and companionship? While money can grant access to various things, can it truly fulfill all desires?

Can one buy happiness? The concept of happiness varies among individuals. Some define it as emotional well-being and inner peace, while others link it to owning material things like a big house, a luxurious car, and unnecessary possessions. There are also those who seek validation by controlling others. In Bulgaria, more and more people now equate money with happiness. As a result, young individuals are ready to sell themselves in order to obtain extravagant cars, high-end fashion items, and access to wealthy social groups.

Despite their initial appearance of happiness and prosperity, their eyes often reveal a lack of spiritual fulfillment. Can money truly purchase genuine love? The kind that takes our breath away upon seeing our loved ones, the kind that sets our hearts racing? I don’t believe so. This type of love cannot be controlled or influenced by wealth. The same concept applies to friendship. Some individuals mistakenly think that having money will make it easier for them to find companionship. Money can buy servants but not friends; it can foster envy but not sincerity and love. As mentioned by the fox in Antoine de Saint Exupery’s “The little prince”: “There are no dealers of friends.”

Money cannot buy qualities like intelligence, resourcefulness, tact, warmth, and tenderness that are essential to a person’s true character. However, money can fulfill needs, offer conveniences, bring pleasure, and contribute to an improved life. Yet when money becomes an addictive obsession, the more we possess, the more we desire, it becomes an overbearing force. In both real life and literature, there are numerous examples illustrating that money is a malevolent ruler incapable of providing happiness. One such instance is Boris, a character in Dimitar Dimov’s novel “Tobacco,” who attains great wealth and achieves his ambition for power but ultimately dies in solitude and unhappiness due to his selfish aspirations.

The desire for wealth has damaged his spirit. Money, as well as the redistribution of markets and authority, is the cause of the brutal murders of individuals such as Andrei Lukanov and Ilia Pavlov, who were targeted by those even more power-hungry. Although it may sound cliched, money can serve as a useful servant but a harmful master. It has the ability to both “enrich” and “plunder” individuals, acting as both a loyal friend and a merciless enemy. While money can provide abundance, it can also take away much. It possesses the strength of the powerful and exploits the vulnerability of the weak. For this reason, people must not prioritize money above their core values, but rather perceive it solely as a means to an end.

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Respectfully Quoted: A Dictionary of Quotations (1989)

• John Adams , letter to Thomas Jefferson, August 25, 1787. Charles Francis Adams, ed., The Works of John Adams (1853), vol. 8, p. 447.
• Russell H. Conwell , Acres of Diamonds , p. 20 (1915). Conwell, founder and first president of Temple University, delivered this address more than 6,000 times from 1877 until his death in 1925.
• Albert Gallatin , Considerations on the Currency and Banking System of the United States, 1831, in Henry Adams, ed., The Writings of Albert Gallatin (1879), vol. 3, p. 235.
• Adolf Hitler , speech to the German Reichstag, January 30, 1937. The Speeches of Adolf Hitler, April 1922–August 1939 , trans. and ed. Norman H. Baynes, vol. 1, p. 937 (1969).
• Attributed to Thomas Jefferson ; reported as "obviously spurious" in Respectfully Quoted: A Dictionary of Quotations (1989) (noting that "[a]lthough Jefferson was opposed to paper money... [i]nflation was listed in Webster's dictionary of 1864, according to the Oxford English Dictionary , but the OED gives 1920 as the earliest use of deflation"). See Misattributed below.
• John Maynard Keynes , Monetary Reform (1924), p. 187.
• Attributed to Vladimir Ilich Lenin by John Maynard Keynes, The Economic Consequences of the Peace (1920, reprinted 1971), p. 235. Keynes says, "Lenin is said to have declared …" Despite careful searching by the European Division of the Library of Congress, this has not been found in Lenin's writings and remains Reported as unverified in Respectfully Quoted: A Dictionary of Quotations (1989).
• John D. Rockefeller , interview in 1905.—Peter Collier and David Horowitz, The Rockefellers, an American Dynasty, chapter 3, p. 48 (1976). Rockefeller assumed giving to charity was a Christian duty, and did so throughout his life. Later in life he began to "have the semimystical feeling that he had been especially selected as the frail vessel for the great fortune" (p. 48).
• Oliver Taylor , Historic Sullivan , p. 97 (1909), footnote. Other versions of this phrase include "Not worth a Continental" and "Not worth a Continental Damn". While other writers do not include the Indian connection, they agree the phrase arose when Continental money became worthless toward the end of the Revolution. See Mitford M. Mathews, A Dictionary of Americanisms , p. 383 (1951).
• Daniel Webster , speech delivered at Niblo's Saloon, New York City, March 15, 1837. The Works of Daniel Webster , 10th ed. (1857), vol. 1, p. 377.

Misattributed

• Attributed to Benjamin Franklin 's Autobiography. These words do not appear there, although he expressed vaguely similar ideas in his 1729 essay on paper currency. The attribution may date to a 1949 address to the Canadian House of Commons by Solon Low .
• Variant: If the American people knew the corruption in our money system there would be revolution before morning.
• Attributed to Henry Ford by Charles Binderup (March 19, 1937), Congressional Record—House 81 :2528. The quote is preceded by "It was Henry Ford who said, in substance, this," indicating that it was not a direct quote, but a paraphrase of his memoir My Life and Work
• Attributed to Thomas Jefferson , The Debate Over The Recharter Of The Bank Bill , (1809). No such document exists. The book Respectfully Quoted says this is "obviously spurious", noting that the OED's earliest citation for the word "deflation" in its financial sense is from 1920. Before that, the term "contraction" was used instead. The earliest known appearance of this quote is from 1935 (Testimony of Charles C. Mayer, Hearings Before the Committee on Banking and Currency, House of Representatives, Seventy-fourth Congress, First Session, on H.R. 5357 , p. 799).
• Attributed to Abraham Lincoln . Not found in Lincoln's works. This earliest this quote has been found is 1941.
• Attributed to Abraham Lincoln , but not found in his works and denounced by his personal secretary as a forgery
• Attributed to Abraham Lincoln . These are not Lincoln's own words, but just Gerry McGeer 's interpretation of Lincoln's policy. McGeer, Gerald Grattan (1935). "5 - Lincoln, Practical Economist" . The Conquest of Poverty . Gardenvale, Quebec: Garden City Press. pp. 186ff. . Retrieved on 2008-12-30 .  
• Attributed to James Madison , 4th US President. This is actually a comment by Olive Cushing Dwinell in her book The Story of Our Money (1946), pp. 71–72.
• Attributed to Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744–1812). No primary source for this is known and the earliest attribution to him known is 1935 ( Money Creators , Gertrude M. Coogan). Before that, "Let us control the money of a nation, and we care not who makes its laws" was said to be a "maxim" of the House of Rothschilds , or, even more vaguely, of the "money lenders of the Old World" . This is a play on an English proverb, Let me make the songs of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws .
• Attributed to Senator John Sherman in a letter supposedly sent from the Rothschild Brothers of London to New York bankers Ikleheimer, Morton, and Vandergould, June 25, 1863. The letters are forgeries that could not have been written at the time alleged, since they refer to an 1876 court case. Further, no evidence of a firm with the name "Ikleheimer, Morton, and Vandergould" has been found.
• Attributed to an editorial in the Times of London in 1865. No such editorial ever appeared. The earliest known appearance is in The Flaming Sword , Vol. XII, No. 42 (2 September 1898), p. 7

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