From Abraham Lincoln to the ineffable Warren Buffet, many of the the world’s greatest minds have left us their thoughts on money.
Just a few words at a time, these quotes seem to reach us under the shimmering light of truth revealed. They motivate us. They challenge us. They walk us through the hidden paths of genius and let us see money from a completely different and often astounding perspective.
1. WARREN BUFFET: HIS PRINCIPLES FOR MONEY INVESTMENT
Warren Buffett at the 2015 SelectUSA Investment Summit
“I never attempt to make money on the stock market. I buy on the assumption that they could close the market the next day and not reopen it for ten years.”
2. ELEANOR ROOSEVELT ON MONEY, FAITH AND FRIENDSHIP
Eleanor Roosevelt and Truman in Kansas City, Missouri
“He who loses money, loses much; He who loses a friend, loses much more;
He who loses faith, loses all.”
3. ALBERT EINSTEIN: TAX=?
Albert Einstein
“The hardest thing to understand in the world
is the income tax.”
4. NELSON MANDELA: MONEY AND FREEDOM
Nelson Mandela
“Money won’t create success, the freedom to make it will.”
5. MARGARET THATCHER ON MONEY AND SOCIALISM
Margaret Thatcher
“The problem with socialism
is that you eventually run out of other peoples’ money.”
6. MONEY AND ACCOMPLISHMENT, BY MAYA ANGELOU
Maya Angelou at Clinton inauguration
“You can only become truly accomplished at something you love.
Don’t make money your goal.
Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you.”
7. WINSTON CHURCHILL: THE POWER OF GIVING
Winston Churchill, Bernard Baruch
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
8. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ON MONEY AND HAPPINESS
Benjamin Franklin
“Money has never made man happy, nor will it, there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more of it one has the more one wants.”
9. HENRY FORD: ALWAYS WITH THE CUSTOMER IN MIND
Henry Ford and Barney Oldfield with Old 999, 1902
“It’s not the employer who pays the wages. Employers only handle the money. It’s the customer who pays the wages.”
10. JOHN C. MAXWELL: THE RIGHT USE OF MONEY
John C. Maxwell
“When it comes to money, you can’t win.
If you focus on making it, you’re materialistic. If you try to but don’t make any, you’re a loser.
If you make a lot and keep it, you’re a miser. If you make it and spend it, you’re a spendthrift.
If you don’t care about making it, you’re unambitious. If you make a lot and still have it when you die, you’re a fool–for trying to take it with you.
The only way to really win with money is to hold it loosely
– and be generous with it to accomplish things of value.”
11. STEVE JOBS ON MONEY AND TIME
Steve Jobs
“My favorite things in life don’t cost any money. It’s really clear that the most precious resource we all have is time.”
