--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The state is never so efficient as when…" description: "\"The state is never so efficient as when it wants money.\" — Anthony Burgess" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6a/anthony-burgess-1167_efficient_the-state-is-never-so-efficient-as-when_1547186.jpg" --- # The state is never so efficient as when it wants money. ![“The state is never so efficient as when it wants money.” quote by Anthony Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6a/anthony-burgess-1167_efficient_the-state-is-never-so-efficient-as-when_1547186.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6a/anthony-burgess-1167_efficient_the-state-is-never-so-efficient-as-when_1547186.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6a/anthony-burgess-1167_efficient_the-state-is-never-so-efficient-as-when_1547186.jpg) > “The state is never so efficient as when it wants money.” [Anthony Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-burgess/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Efficiency in government peaks when financial incentives drive actions, implying money motivates performance more than ideology **In simple terms:** Money drives efficiency more than ideals Key Takeaway Align incentives with financial goals for better performance Themes politics efficiency incentives Mood critical analytical Type political economic When to use this quote - budget planning - policy reform - organizational management Key Concepts public administration behavioral economics motivation Questions to Reflect On - What are the risks of prioritizing money over values? - How can non‑financial incentives be effective? A Different Perspective It ignores non‑monetary motivations like duty or ethics ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Efficient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/efficient/) [Efficient Wants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/efficient-wants-5774859/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Productivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/productivity/) [State](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state/) [State Efficient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-efficient-5774858/) [States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Wants Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wants-money-1097491/) ## Related quotes > [Of course, the human part of you wants to take as much money as you see, but all money isn't good money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-beverley/of-course-the-human-part-of-you-wants-to-take-as-much-money-as-you/) [Patrick Beverley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-beverley/) > [“Everyone always wants money because everyone else also always wants money, which means you can exchange money for whatever you want or need.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuval-noah-harari/everyone-always-wants-money-because-everyone-else-also-always-wants-2/) [Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuval-noah-harari/) > [I get a phone call once every 18 months from some mad person who wants me to do something for less than no money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/i-get-a-phone-call-once-every-18-months-from-some-mad-person-who/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [Iran wants the money. 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