Am I right in suggesting that ordinary life is a mean…
““Am I right in suggesting that ordinary life is a mean between these extremes, that the noble man devotes his material wealth to lofty ends, the advancement of science, or art, or some such true ideal; and that the base man does the opposite by concentrating all his abilities on the amassing of wealth?' Exactly; that is the real distinction between the artist and the bourgeois, or, if you prefer it, between the gentleman and the cad. Money, and the things money can buy, have no value, for there is no question of creation, but only of exchange. Houses, lands, gold, jewels, even existing works of art, may be tossed about from one hand to another; they are so, constantly. But neither you nor I can write a sonnet; and what we have, our appreciation of art, we did not buy. We inherited the germ of it, and we developed it by the sweat of our brows. The possession of money helped us, but only by giving us time and opportunity and the means of travel. Anyhow, the principle is clear; one must sacrifice the lower to the higher, and, as the Greeks did with their oxen, one must fatten and bedeck the lower, so that it may be the worthier offering.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The noble individual should use material resources to pursue higher ideals like science or art, while the base individual focuses solely on wealth accumulation, which lacks intrinsic value.
In simple terms: Use wealth for higher purpose, not just accumulation.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize higher ideals over material gain.
Themes
philosophy
ethics
wealth
art
science
human nature
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- career planning
- art patronage
- academic research
- philanthropy
- personal development
Key Concepts
materialism
idealism
value hierarchy
social class
Questions to Reflect On
- What higher purpose could your resources serve?
- How do you balance material needs with idealistic goals?
A Different Perspective
Wealth can also enable lower pursuits, blurring the distinction.