31 Thought-Provoking Quotes About Money and Happiness: Can Wealth Truly Bring Joy?

Do you believe that money can make you happy, or is it the root of all evil?

It is an age-old question, and these 31 insightful money quotes may offer some perspective on the matter.

Regardless of where you stand, one thing is certain: When you’re short on cash, money tends to be all you think about.

Just like how you can’t think about anything else except food when you’re hungry.

According to Austrian psychologist and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl, food was the most popular topic among the Auschwitz concentration camp victims in his book, “Man’s Search for Meaning.”

In a similar vein, money may not be everything, but according to Zig Ziglar, it’s certainly close to oxygen.

There is no denying that money is close to oxygen to navigate this world.

The best sayings about money will inspire you to manage your finances well, whether by diving into The 15 Best Financial Books or mastering the art of attracting wealth with these Money Magnet Affirmations.

Don’t forget to also check out my other post, The Best Debt Quotes I Wish I Had Known in My Early 20s.

1. The Root of All Evil: Lack of Money

The lack of money is the root of all evil.

Mark Twain

2. Young and Wise: Oscar Wilde on Money

When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is.

Oscar Wilde

3. Money and Happiness: Gertrude Stein’s Shopping Wisdom

Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping.

Gertrude Stein

4. Cardi B’s Take on Money and Heartbreak

I’d rather have money and be broken-hearted than be broke and broken-hearted.

Cardi B

5. Success and Money: Lana Turner’s Perspective

A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a man.

Lana Turner

6. Becoming a Millionaire: Gina Rinehart’s Advice

There is no monopoly on becoming a millionaire. If you’re jealous of those with more money, don’t just sit there and complain – do something to make more money yourself.

Gina Rinehart

7. Attracting Money: Jim Rohn’s Insight

Money is usually attracted, not pursued.

Jim Rohn

8. Making Money as a Complementary Hobby: Scott Alexander

Making money is a hobby that will complement any other hobbies you have, beautifully.

Scott Alexander

9. Capital for Betterment: Henry Ford’s Philosophy

The highest use of capital is not to make more money, but to make money do more for the betterment of life.

Henry Ford

10. Money and Happiness: Muhammad Yunus’ Perspective

Making money is a happiness. And that’s a great incentive. Making other people happy is a super-happiness.

Muhammad Yunus

11. FDR on Money and the Joy of Achievement

Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

12. Pride in Accomplishment: Ray Kroc’s View on Money

All money means to me is a pride in accomplishment.

Ray Kroc

13. Money and Life Necessities: Zig Ziglar’s Thoughts

Money isn’t the most important thing in life, but it’s reasonably close to oxygen on the ‘gotta have it’ scale.

Zig Ziglar

14. Building Generational Wealth: Robert Kiyosaki’s Advice

It’s not how much money you make, but how much money you keep, how hard it works for you, and how many generations you keep it for.

Robert Kiyosaki

15. Joe Biden on Budget and Values

Don’t tell me what you value, show me your budget, and I’ll tell you what you value.

Joe Biden

16. Thomas Jefferson’s Wise Spending Advice

Never spend your money before you have it.

Thomas Jefferson

17. Enjoying Wealth: Benjamin Franklin’s Wisdom

Wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it.

Benjamin Franklin

18. Borrowing Money: Nathan W. Morris’ Caution

Every time you borrow money, you’re robbing your future self.

Nathan W. Morris

19. Investing and Excitement: Paul Samuelson’s Take

Investing should be more like watching paint dry or watching grass grow. If you want excitement, take $800 and go to Las Vegas.

Paul Samuelson

20. Gaining Control Over Money: Dave Ramsey’s Guidance

You must gain control over your money or the lack of it will forever control you.

Dave Ramsey

21. Rich People’s Priorities: Zig Ziglar’s Observation

Rich people have small TVs and big libraries, and poor people have small libraries and big TVs.

Zig Ziglar

22. Spending Money Wisely: Will Rogers’ Perspective

Too many people spend money they earned..to buy things they don’t want..to impress people that they don’t like.

Will Rogers

23. Saving Early: Jack Benny’s Financial Tip

Try to save something while your salary is small; it’s impossible to save after you begin to earn more.

Jack Benny

24. The Importance of Money in Old Age: Tennessee Williams

You can be young without money but you can’t be old without it.

Tennessee Williams

25. Money as a Servant: P.T. Barnum’s View

Money is a terrible master but an excellent servant.

P.T. Barnum

26. Earning and Using Money: Frank A. Clark’s Advice

Many folks think they aren’t good at earning money, when what they don’t know is how to use it.

Frank A. Clark

27. Time and Money: Zig Ziglar’s Outlook

Time well-spent results in more money to spend, more money to save, and more time to vacation.

Zig Ziglar

28. Banks and Borrowing: Robert Frost’s Witty Take

A bank is a place where they lend you an umbrella in fair weather and ask for it back when it begins to rain.

Robert Frost

29. Time Management and Money: Sophia Amoruso’s Advice

The time making money should be greater than the time that you are spending money.

Sophia Amoruso

30. George Burns on Making Money

Don’t stay in bed, unless you can make money in bed.

George Burns

31. Time as Currency: Christopher Rice’s Wisdom

Everyday is a bank account, and time is our currency. No one is rich, no one is poor, we’ve got 24 hours each.

Christopher Rice

Final Thoughts: Striking a Balance Between Wealth and Happiness

As these money and happiness quotes demonstrate, wealth has the power to both elevate and complicate our lives.

While money can’t buy everything, it plays a significant role in our well-being and ability to pursue our passions.

As you reflect on these words of wisdom, consider how you can cultivate a healthy relationship with money and strive for a balanced, fulfilling life.

These money and happiness quotes truly illustrate that while wealth can bring joy and open doors, it also has the potential to complicate our lives.

Money might not have the power to buy everything, but it undeniably influences our well-being and the pursuit of our dreams.

As you ponder these insightful words, think about how you can nurture a wholesome connection with money and work towards a harmonious, satisfying life.

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