Wealth Quote by Charles Bukowski
““That scene in the office stayed with me. Those cigars, the fine clothes. I thought of good steaks, long rides up winding driveways that led to beautiful homes. Ease. Trips to Europe. Fine women. Were they that much more clever than I? The only difference was money, and the desire to accumulate it. I'd do it too! I'd save my pennies. I'd get an idea, I'd spring a loan. I'd hire and fire. I'd keep whiskey in my desk drawer. I'd have a wife with size 40 breasts and an ass that would make the paperboy on the corner come in his pants when he saw it wobble. I'd cheat on her and she'd know it and keep silent in order to live in my house with my wealth. I'd fire men just to see the look of dismay on their faces. I'd fire women who didn't deserve to be fired.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Post Office by Charles Bukowski, 1971
A cynical view of wealth and power, showing how money can corrupt behavior and relationships, and the desire for status can lead to moral decay.
In simple terms: Money drives corrupt actions and empties relationships.
Key Takeaway
Beware letting wealth dictate your values.
Themes
greed
power
corruption
masculinity
materialism
Mood
cynical
reflective
Type
cautionary
critical
When to use this quote
- Corporate ambition
- personal relationships
- ethical decision making
- career advancement
Key Concepts
Capitalism
moral decay
social status
Questions to Reflect On
- What would you sacrifice for wealth?
- Can success be achieved without compromising ethics?
A Different Perspective
Money alone cannot guarantee happiness or integrity.
![“There is no fortune greater than peace; there is no force greater than peace; there is no excellent tapas greater than peace; there is no immortal life greater than [living in] peace.” quote by Muruganar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7fb/muruganar-62222_immortal-life_there-is-no-fortune-greater-than-peace-t_1485.jpg)
![“For her [Françoise], wealth was like a necessary condition without which virtue would lack both merit and charm. She made so little distinction between the two that she came to see their qualities as interchangeable, expecting material comfort from virtue and moral edification from wealth.” quote by Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/573/marcel-proust-114_character_for-her-fran-oise-wealth-was-like-a-nece_2687.jpg)
