Skip to content

I had been asked to open a nightclub in Atlantic City…

“I had been asked to open a nightclub in Atlantic City. They offered me a ridiculous amount of money. They literally overpaid me. So I did one show a night. Then they asked me back by popular demand. So I went back. Then I said, "To hell with this." I was only doing it for the money, and I was…” quote by Gene Kelly
Download Open image
“I had been asked to open a nightclub in Atlantic City. They offered me a ridiculous amount of money. They literally overpaid me. So I did one show a night. Then they asked me back by popular demand. So I went back. Then I said, "To hell with this." I was only doing it for the money, and I was doing easy routines. It's just too much work to get up every day and practice.”

Gene Kelly

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He accepted a lucrative but demanding job, grew dissatisfied with the grind, and quit, realizing money wasn't worth the effort

In simple terms: He left a high‑paying, exhausting job because it wasn't fulfilling

Key Takeaway

Prioritize fulfillment over cash

Themes

career money work-life balance

Mood

frustrated reflective

Type

advice personal narrative

When to use this quote

  • nightclub management
  • performing arts
  • career decisions
  • financial offers

Key Concepts

Opportunity cost burnout intrinsic motivation

Questions to Reflect On

  • What would you quit if it drained your joy?
  • How do you balance profit with personal well‑being?
A Different Perspective

High pay can mask unsustainable workload

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Gene Kelly

Explore all 57 Gene Kelly quotes

More Amount quotes

Browse all 4,202 Amount quotes