This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
For neither does wealth bring honor to the owner, if he be a coward; of such a one the wealth belongs to another, and not to himself. Nor does beauty and strength of body, when dwelling in a base and cowardly man, appear comely, but the reverse of comely, making the possessor more conspicuous, and manifesting forth his cowardice.
Both wealth and concord decline as possessions become pursued and honored. And virtue perishes with them as well.
Possessions | Virtue | Virtue | Wealth |
If you can discover a better way of life than office-holding for your future rulers, a well-governed city becomes a possibility. For only in such a state will those rule who are truly rich, not in gold, but in the wealth that makes happiness — a good and wise life. [You must contrive for your future rulers another and a better life than that of a ruler, and then you may have a well-ordered State; for only in the State which offers this, will they rule who are truly rich, not in silver and gold, but in virtue and wisdom, which are the true blessings of life.]
Better | Blessings | Future | Good | Life | Life | Rule | Virtue | Virtue | Wealth | Will | Wise | Happiness |
Pirke Avot, "Verses of the Fathers" or "Ethics of the Fathers" NULL
Whosoever possesses these three qualities belongs to the disciples of Abraham our father: a generous eye, a humble spirit, and a meek soul. But he who possesses the three opposite qualities--an evil eye, a proud spirit, and a haughty soul--is of the disciples of Balaam the wicked. How do the disciples of Abraham differ from the disciples of Balaam? The disciples of Abraham enjoy this world and inherit the world to come, as it is written (Proverbs 8:21) Endowing with wealth those who love me, and filling their treasuries. The disciples of Balaam inherit Gehenna and go down to the pit of destruction, as it is written (Psalm 55:23) But you, O G-d, will cast them down into the lowest pit; the bloodthirsty and treacherous shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in you.
The honor of parents is a fair and noble treasure to their posterity, but to have the use of a treasure of wealth and honor, and to leave none to your successors, because you have neither money nor reputation of your own, is alike base and dishonorable.
Honor | Money | Parents | Reputation | Wealth |
Greed for ownership has taken such a hold of us that we seem to be possessed by wealth rather than to possess it.
Wealth |
Plautus, full name Titus Maccius Plautus NULL
Your wealth is where your friends are.
Posidonius, aka Posidonius of Rhodes or Posidonius of Apameia (meaning "of Poseidon") NULL
Whilst some Stoics condemned wealth and the acquisitions of goods as inherently evil, just as they shunned political and social life as an irresistible invitation to moral corruption, Posidonius held that these things were neither good nor evil in themselves. As an active participant in the organization of kosmos, the individual should not fear either material goods or the life of the polis. Rather, he should be vigilant in the use to which he puts his resources and energies. Simple withdrawal from the world is too passive for the Posidonian man: correct participation in all things is the cosmopolitan ideal which signals inner withdrawal from the inferior daimon in the soul. It is not enough, then, to recognize wise men and immoral men – one must know the soul-characteristics of the wise man so that one can through emulation of them make moral progress. By separating Fate from Zeus, Posidonius firmly renounced rigid determinism while being fully aware of the forces at work in the world. Moral progress is possible because man, as a participant in the divine and informing governance of kosmos, can work to adjust, over the long term, Fate itself. Although kosmos cannot be understood in terms of some fantastic eschatology, moral progress (and therefore a movement towards authentic philosophical happiness) is possible because the organization of kosmos is capable of degrees of improvement. Change occurs as man learns to participate in cosmic activity – becoming cosmopolitan in a transcendental sense – by turning from the lower and embracing the rational daimon in himself. He achieves this through the selfless and assiduous performance of his duties. [paraphrased]
Change | Evil | Fate | Fear | Good | Individual | Life | Life | Man | Men | Organization | Progress | Sense | Wealth | Wise | Work | World | Fate |
Buckminster Fuller, fully Richard Buckminster "Bucky" Fuller
Sum-totally, we find that the physical constituent of wealth-energy-cannot decrease and that the metaphysical constituent-know-how-can only increase. This is to say that every time we use our wealth it increases.
Buckminster Fuller, fully Richard Buckminster "Bucky" Fuller
Every time man makes a new experiment he always learns more. He cannot learn less. He may learn that what he thought was true was not true. By the elimination of a false premise, his basic capital wealth which in his given lifetime is disembarrassed of further preoccupation with considerations of how to employ a worthless time-consuming hypothesis. Freeing his time for its more effective exploratory investment is to give man increased wealth.
Experiment | Man | Thought | Time | Wealth | Learn | Thought |
I am absolutely convinced that no wealth in the world can help humanity to progress if it is in the hands of people more dedicated. The figures clean and great alone produces ideas high-end business and noble, and the money it is an engine for selfish and tempt owners of ill-use. Can anyone imagine Moses, Jesus or Gandhi dragging behind them bags of money?
Business | Humanity | Ideas | Money | People | Progress | Wealth | World | Business |
Buckminster Fuller, fully Richard Buckminster "Bucky" Fuller
Synergy is the only word in our language which identifies the meaning for which it stands. Since the word is unknown to the average public, as I have already pointed out, it is not at all surprising that synergy has not been included in the economic accounting of our wealth transactions or in assessing our common wealth capabilities.
Buckminster Fuller, fully Richard Buckminster "Bucky" Fuller
Real wealth is ideas plus energy.
Pythagoras, aka Pythagoras of Samos or Pythagoras the Samian NULL
It is requisite to choose the most excellent life; for custom will make it pleasant. Wealth is an infirm anchor, glory is still more infirm; and in a similar manner, the body, dominion, and honour. For all these are imbecile and powerless. What then are powerful anchors. Prudence, magnanimity, fortitude. These no tempest can shake. This is the Law of God, that virtue is the only thing that is strong; and that everything else is a trifle.
Jewish Science combats the fear of poverty by emphasizing the fact that true wealth lies in the acquisition of spiritual riches. Material riches is not life, it is only a means for living. To value life by wealth is to degrade it. Trust in God and He will satisfy all your needs. He has prepared sustenance for all those to whom He gave life. He has placed it within their reach and has given them the power to go and obtain it. Just as He has prepared sustenance for all the birds, but, having given them the means of obtaining it through their own efforts, has not thrown it into their nests ; so, with the same end, He has endowed man with the necessary tools to dig and labor for his bread. It is the process of obtaining his necessities that develops man and makes life interesting. A life of simple comfort, obtained through one's own efforts, a life free from forebodings and fear, is a goal to be desired more ardently than a superabundance of wealth and luxury.
Fear | God | Labor | Life | Life | Man | Means | Poverty | Power | Riches | Science | Trust | Wealth | Will | Riches | God | Value |
Pythagoras, aka Pythagoras of Samos or Pythagoras the Samian NULL
Know that death comes to everyone, and that wealth will sometimes be acquired, sometimes lost. Whatever griefs mortals suffer by divine chance, whatever destiny you have, endure it and do not complain. But it is right to improve it as much as you can, and remember this: Fate does not give very many of these griefs to good people.
Death | Destiny | Fate | Good | Right | Wealth | Will | Fate |
Rachel Carson, fully Rachel Louise Carson
The real wealth of the Nation lies in the resources of the earth - soil, water, forests, minerals, and wildlife.