QuoteProject
Money is in some respects life's fire: it is a very excellent servant, but a terrible master.
P. T. Barnum
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Money can be beneficial when controlled wisely, but it can also lead to chaos if it controls you.

P. T. Barnum's quote emphasizes the dual nature of money. It serves as a powerful tool that, if managed properly, can enhance our lives and fulfill our needs. However, if one allows money to dominate their decisions and priorities, it can lead to detrimental consequences, illustrating the importance of balance and self-control in the pursuit of wealth.

Themes

MoneyControlBalanceWealthServantMaster

In practice

Example use cases

In a financial literacy class, one might use this quote to highlight the importance of managing personal finances.

More from P. T. Barnum

The common man, no matter how sharp and tough, actually enjoys having the wool pulled over his eyes, and makes it easier for the puller.
P. T. BarnumRead
No man has a right to expect to succeed in life unless he understands his business, and nobody can understand his business thoroughly unless he learns it by personal application and experience.
P. T. BarnumRead
True economy consists in always making the income exceed the out-go. Wear the old clothes a little longer if necessary; dispense with the new pair of gloves; mend the old dress: live on plainer food if need be; so that, under all circumstances, unless some unforeseen accident occurs, there will be a margin in favor of the income.
P. T. BarnumRead
No man ever went broke overestimating the ignorance of the American public.
P. T. BarnumRead
I don't care what the newspapers say about me as long as they spell my name right.
P. T. BarnumRead
The desire for wealth is nearly universal, and none can say it is not laudable, provided the possessor of it accepts its responsibilities, and uses it as a friend to humanity.
P. T. BarnumRead

Similar quotes

If the clockwork universe equated the human body with the mechanics of the clock, the digital universe now equates human consciousness with the processing of the computer. We joke that things don't compute, that we need a reboot, or that our memory has been wiped.
Douglas RushkoffRead
I'm Gentleman Death in silk and lace, come to put out the candles. The canker in the heart of the rose.
Anne RiceRead
No member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who has canned peas, topped beets, hauled hay, shoveled coal, or helped in any way to serve others ever forgets or regrets the experience of helping provide for those in need.
Thomas S. MonsonRead
Alas," said the mouse, "the whole world is growing smaller every day. At the beginning it was so big that I was afraid, I kept running and running, and I was glad when I saw walls far away to the right and left, but these long walls have narrowed so quickly that I am in the last chamber already, and there in the corner stands the trap that I must run into." "You only need to change your direction," said the cat, and ate it up.
Franz KafkaRead
We have so far to go to realize our human potential for compassion, altruism, and love.
Jane GoodallRead
When virtue has slept it will arise more vigorous.
Friedrich NietzscheRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.