There's a Spanish proverb that's always fascinated me…
““There's a Spanish proverb that's always fascinated me. 'Take what you want and pay for it, says God.' I don't believe in God, but that principle seems, to me, to have a divinity of its own; a kind of blazing purity. What could be simpler, or more crucial? You can have anything you want, as long as you accept that there is a price and that you will have to pay it. It seems to me, that we as a society have come to overlook the second clause. We hear only 'Take what you want, says God'; nobody mentions a price, and when it comes time to settle the score, everyone's outraged. We've become a nation of defaulters: we buy on credit, and when the bill comes in, we're so deeply outraged that we refuse even to look at it.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote warns that society often embraces desires without acknowledging the inevitable costs, leading to resentment when obligations arise.
In simple terms: Ignoring costs leads to resentment.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and accept the price of what you want.
Themes
responsibility
consumerism
ethics
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- personal finance
- shopping habits
- policy debates
- environmental impact
- credit use
Key Concepts
cost
accountability
consequence
Questions to Reflect On
- What costs are you overlooking in your pursuits?
- How does acknowledging price change your choices?
A Different Perspective
People may argue that not all costs are monetary or that some desires are intangible.