--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you know how to spend less than you…" description: "\"If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the philosopher's stone.\" — Benjamin Franklin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99f/benjamin-franklin-65_philosopher_if-you-know-how-to-spend-less-than-you-g_3135711.png" --- # If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the… ![“If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the philosopher's stone.” quote by Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99f/benjamin-franklin-65_philosopher_if-you-know-how-to-spend-less-than-you-g_3135711.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99f/benjamin-franklin-65_philosopher_if-you-know-how-to-spend-less-than-you-g_3135711.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99f/benjamin-franklin-65_philosopher_if-you-know-how-to-spend-less-than-you-g_3135711.png) > “If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the philosopher's stone.” [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Living within means is a practical path to wealth. **In simple terms:** Spend less than you earn. Key Takeaway Practice frugal habits. Themes finance self‑control wealth practicality Mood pragmatic inspirational Type advice motivational When to use this quote - budgeting - entrepreneurship - retirement planning - debt reduction Key Concepts economics personal finance self‑discipline Questions to Reflect On - What expenses can you reduce today? A Different Perspective Does frugality limit enjoyment? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Know Spend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-spend-332544/) [Philosopher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosopher/) [Philosopher Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosopher-stone-453928/) [Philosopher's Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophers-stone/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rich/) [Spend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spend/) [Spend Philosopher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spend-philosopher-5564666/) [Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stone/) ## Related quotes > [The heart hid still in the dark, hard as the Philosopher's Stone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-celan/the-heart-hid-still-in-the-dark-hard-as-the-philosopher-s-stone/) [Paul Celan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-celan/) > [There is no art or science that is too difficult for industry to attain to; it is the gift of tongues, and makes a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-hyde-1st-earl-of-clarendon/there-is-no-art-or-science-that-is-too-difficult-for-industry-to/) [Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-hyde-1st-earl-of-clarendon/) > [The elixir of life, the philosopher's stone is yours if you surrender sterile logic, trivial reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-doolittle/the-elixir-of-life-the-philosopher-s-stone-is-yours-if-you-surrender/) [Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-doolittle/) > [Dwell, O mind, within yourself; Enter no other's home. If you but seek there, you will find All you are searching for. God, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramakrishna/dwell-o-mind-within-yourself-enter-no-other-s-home-if-you-but-seek/) [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) > [The finest imagination in the world could not have conceived of a better idea than the philosophers' stone to inspire the minds and faculties…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justus-von-liebig/the-finest-imagination-in-the-world-could-not-have-conceived-of-a/) [Justus von Liebig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justus-von-liebig/) > [It brings joy in sorrow, victory in battle, light to darkness, life to the dead. That is the power of the blood-red jewel which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiromu-arakawa/it-brings-joy-in-sorrow-victory-in-battle-light-to-darkness-life-to/) [Hiromu Arakawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiromu-arakawa/) > [“I knew it! I knew it! ” “Are we allowed to speak yet?” said Ron grumpily. 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Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [Contentment produces, in some measure, all those effects which the alchemist usually ascribes to what he calls the philosopher's stone; and if it does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/contentment-produces-in-some-measure-all-those-effects-which-the/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) ## More by Benjamin Franklin > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Think of these things, whence you came, where you are going, and to whom you must account.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/think-of-these-things-whence-you-came-where-you-are-going-and-to-whom/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Give me 26 lead soldiers and I will conquer the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/give-me-26-lead-soldiers-and-i-will-conquer-the-world/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Flowers are the alphabet of angels, whereby they write on the hills and fields mysterious truths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/flowers-are-the-alphabet-of-angels-whereby-they-write-on-the-hills/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [In the affairs of this world, men are saved not by faith, but by the want of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/in-the-affairs-of-this-world-men-are-saved-not-by-faith-but-by-the/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [By heaven we understand a state of happiness infinite in degree, and endless in duration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/by-heaven-we-understand-a-state-of-happiness-infinite-in-degree-and/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [I have thought that wild flowers might be the alphabet of angels, — whereby they write on hills and fields mysterious truths, which it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-have-thought-that-wild-flowers-might-be-the-alphabet-of-angels/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [How do you become better tomorrow? By improving yourself, the world is made better. Be not afraid of growing too slowly. Be afraid of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/how-do-you-become-better-tomorrow-by-improving-yourself-the-world-is/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Little leaks sink the ship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/little-leaks-sink-the-ship/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/who-is-rich-he-that-is-content-who-is-that-nobody/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“But on the whole, though I never arrived at the perfection I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/but-on-the-whole-though-i-never-arrived-at-the-perfection-i-had-been/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [The good particular men may do separately, in relieving the sick, is small, compared with what they may do collectively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/the-good-particular-men-may-do-separately-in-relieving-the-sick-is/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Love your Neighbour; yet don't pull down your Hedge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/love-your-neighbour-yet-don-t-pull-down-your-hedge/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Take counsel in wine, but resolve afterwards in water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/take-counsel-in-wine-but-resolve-afterwards-in-water/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [He that's secure is not safe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/he-that-s-secure-is-not-safe/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) [Explore all 1,692 Benjamin Franklin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) ## More Philosopher quotes > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [The world's history is a divine poem, of which the history of every nation is a canto, and every man a word. Its strains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/the-world-s-history-is-a-divine-poem-of-which-the-history-of-every/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Divers philosophers hold that the lips is parcel of the mouth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/divers-philosophers-hold-that-the-lips-is-parcel-of-the-mouth/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“Since Pawlow and his pupils have succeeded in causing the secretion of saliva in the dog by means of optic and acoustic signals, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-loeb/since-pawlow-and-his-pupils-have-succeeded-in-causing-the-secretion/) [Jacques Loeb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-loeb/) > [To become a philosopher, start by walking very slowly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/to-become-a-philosopher-start-by-walking-very-slowly/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) > [When Eudæmonidas heard a philosopher arguing that only a wise man can be a good general, "This is a wonderful speech," said he; "but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/when-eud-monidas-heard-a-philosopher-arguing-that-only-a-wise-man-can/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [“Mr. Pickwick was a philosopher, but philosophers are only men in armour, after all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/mr-pickwick-was-a-philosopher-but-philosophers-are-only-men-in-armour/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [And that, in a way, was the burden of being a philosopher: one knew what one had to do, but it was so often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-mccall-smith/and-that-in-a-way-was-the-burden-of-being-a-philosopher-one-knew-what/) [Alexander McCall Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-mccall-smith/) > [As our domestic fowls are said to have their original in the wild pheasant of India, so our domestic thoughts have their prototypes in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-our-domestic-fowls-are-said-to-have-their-original-in-the-wild/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. 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