---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Money could not be converted into capital…"
description: "\"Money could not be converted into capital if wage labour did not exist.\" — David Harvey"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3a/david-harvey-10654_ifs_money-could-not-be-converted-into-capita_1862595.png"
---

#  Money could not be converted into capital if wage labour…

![“Money could not be converted into capital if wage labour did not exist.” quote by David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3a/david-harvey-10654_ifs_money-could-not-be-converted-into-capita_1862595.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3a/david-harvey-10654_ifs_money-could-not-be-converted-into-capita_1862595.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3a/david-harvey-10654_ifs_money-could-not-be-converted-into-capita_1862595.png)

> “Money could not be converted into capital if wage labour did not exist.”

[David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/)

## About This Quote

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

Capital accumulation depends on wage labor; without it, money cannot become productive capital.

**In simple terms:** Wage labor is essential for turning money into capital.

Key Takeaway

Recognize labor’s role in economic systems.

Themes

economics labor capital systemic theory

Mood

analytical critical

Type

economic theoretical

When to use this quote

- policy debates
- labor negotiations
- educational curricula

Key Concepts

Marxist theory value creation wealth generation

Questions to Reflect On

- What alternatives to wage labor could sustain capital?
- How does this view affect views on automation?

A Different Perspective

May oversimplify complex financial mechanisms.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Labour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labour/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/)

## Related quotes

> [The only solution to the contradictions of capitalism entails the abolition of wage labour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/the-only-solution-to-the-contradictions-of-capitalism-entails-the/)

[David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/)

> [The social relations of capitalism have penetrated slowly into all spheres of life to make wage labour the general condition of existence only in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/the-social-relations-of-capitalism-have-penetrated-slowly-into-all/)

[David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/)

> [In the course of the twenty-first century what may be called the "capital wage" could be added to the labor wage and the social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lind/in-the-course-of-the-twenty-first-century-what-may-be-called-the/)

[Michael Lind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lind/)

> [“If one looks at modern society, it is obvious that in order to live, the great majority of people are forced to sell their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilles-dauve/if-one-looks-at-modern-society-it-is-obvious-that-in-order-to-live/)

Gilles Dauvé

> [These are the men who, without virtue, labour, or hazard, are growing rich, as their country is impoverished; they rejoice, when obstinacy or ambition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/these-are-the-men-who-without-virtue-labour-or-hazard-are-growing/)

[Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/)

> [SCIENCE! thou fair effusive ray From the great source of mental Day, Free, generous, and refin'd! Descend with all thy treasures fraught, Illumine each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-akenside/science-thou-fair-effusive-ray-from-the-great-source-of-mental-day/)

[Mark Akenside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-akenside/)

> [Man preys on man; and you mourn for the idle tapestry that decorated a gothic pillar, and the dronish bell that summoned the fat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft/man-preys-on-man-and-you-mourn-for-the-idle-tapestry-that-decorated-a/)

[Mary Wollstonecraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft/)

> [The cause of Labour is the cause of Ireland, and the cause of Ireland is the cause of Labour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-connolly/the-cause-of-labour-is-the-cause-of-ireland-and-the-cause-of-ireland/)

[James Connolly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-connolly/)

> [“The effects of the division of labour, in the general business of society, will be more easily understood by considering in what manner it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-smith/the-effects-of-the-division-of-labour-in-the-general-business-of/)

[Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/)

> [As a beast of toil an ox is fixed capital. If he is eaten, he no longer functions as an instrument of labour, nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/as-a-beast-of-toil-an-ox-is-fixed-capital-if-he-is-eaten-he-no-longer/)

[Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/)

> [If the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over labour, entertainment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/if-the-idea-of-having-to-change-ourselves-makes-us-uncomfortable-we/)

[Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/)

> [All labours draw hame at even, And can to others say, "Thanks to the gracious God of heaven, Whilk sent this summer day."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hume/all-labours-draw-hame-at-even-and-can-to-others-say-thanks-to-the/)

Alexander Hume

> [It is time Britain put its trust back into the Labour Party. I believe I am the candidate that can make this happen precisely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-abbott/it-is-time-britain-put-its-trust-back-into-the-labour-party-i-believe/)

[Diane Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-abbott/)

> [Geometry, which should only obey Physics, when united with it sometimes commands it. If it happens that the question which we wish to examine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-le-rond-d-alembert/geometry-which-should-only-obey-physics-when-united-with-it-sometimes/)

[Jean le Rond d'Alembert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-le-rond-d-alembert/)

> [“But young men have not only this frivolous ambition of being thought masters of execution, inciting them on the one hand, but also their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-young-men-have-not-only-this-frivolous-ambition-of-being-thought/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## More by David Harvey

> [The main substantive achievement of neoliberalism has been to redistribute rather than to generate wealth and income.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/the-main-substantive-achievement-of-neoliberalism-has-been-to/)

[David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/)

> [We're supposed to live under capitalism, and capitalism is supposed to be competitive so you would expect that capitalists and entrepreneurs would like competition.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/we-re-supposed-to-live-under-capitalism-and-capitalism-is-supposed-to/)

[David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/)

> [There is, in short, no 'spatial fix' that can contain the contradictions of capitalism in the long run.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/there-is-in-short-no-spatial-fix-that-can-contain-the-contradictions/)

[David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/)

> [The social relations of capitalism have penetrated slowly into all spheres of life to make wage labour the general condition of existence only in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/the-social-relations-of-capitalism-have-penetrated-slowly-into-all/)

[David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/)

> [If Occupy Wall Street can see their way to more collaboration with the union movement, then there will be a great deal of political…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/if-occupy-wall-street-can-see-their-way-to-more-collaboration-with/)

[David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/)

> [“This left, which strangely echoes a libertarian and even neoliberal ethic of ant-statism, is nurtured intellectually by thinkers such as Michel Foucault and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/this-left-which-strangely-echoes-a-libertarian-and-even-neoliberal/)

[David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/)

> [If, for example, a conspiratorially minded elite is so powerful, has at its fingertips such multiple and delicate instruments with which to fine-tune accumulation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/if-for-example-a-conspiratorially-minded-elite-is-so-powerful-has-at/)

[David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/)

> [The equilibrium between supply and demand is achieved only through a reaction against the upsetting of the equilibrium.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/the-equilibrium-between-supply-and-demand-is-achieved-only-through-a/)

[David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/)

> [“In urbanisation, the suburbs are just as monocultural (as agriculture), with a lifestyle that maximises the excessive consumption of material goods in an astonishingly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/in-urbanisation-the-suburbs-are-just-as-monocultural-as-agriculture/)

[David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/)

> [“Since the 1970S, financial innova­tions such as the securitisation of mortgage debt and the spreading of investment risks through the creation of derivative markets,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/since-the-1970s-financial-innova-tions-such-as-the-securitisation-of/)

[David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/)

> [The only solution to the contradictions of capitalism entails the abolition of wage labour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/the-only-solution-to-the-contradictions-of-capitalism-entails-the/)

[David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/)

> [The accumulation of capital involves the expansion of value over time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/the-accumulation-of-capital-involves-the-expansion-of-value-over-time/)

[David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/)

> [Monetary relations have penetrated into every nook and cranny of the world and into almost every aspect of social, even private life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/monetary-relations-have-penetrated-into-every-nook-and-cranny-of-the/)

[David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/)

> [The net worth of the 358 richest people in the world was then found to be 'equal to the combined income of the poorest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/the-net-worth-of-the-358-richest-people-in-the-world-was-then-found/)

[David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/)

> [Not only must weapons be bought and paid for out of surpluses of capital and labour, but they must also be put to use.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/not-only-must-weapons-be-bought-and-paid-for-out-of-surpluses-of/)

[David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/)

[Explore all 63 David Harvey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/)

## More Ifs quotes

> [Women still, when they have breast cancer, go to work; they still lead their lives. They have to. I just did what I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-potter/women-still-when-they-have-breast-cancer-go-to-work-they-still-lead/)

[Monica Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-potter/)

> [Most of us are convinced that we are our egos, which is who we think we are. The ego is part of our incarnation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/most-of-us-are-convinced-that-we-are-our-egos-which-is-who-we-think/)

[Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/)

> [Histories never conclude; they just pause their prose. Their stories are, if they are truthful, untidy affairs, resistant to windings-up and sortings-out. They beat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-schama/histories-never-conclude-they-just-pause-their-prose-their-stories/)

[Simon Schama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-schama/)

> [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/)

[Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/)

> [Many individuals spend a considerable portion of their lifetimes in terror of one imagined catastrophe or another. The classic is that your immortal soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-neil-smith/many-individuals-spend-a-considerable-portion-of-their-lifetimes-in/)

[L. Neil Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-neil-smith/)

> [Obviously, if you don't love life, you can't enjoy an oyster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-clark/obviously-if-you-don-t-love-life-you-can-t-enjoy-an-oyster/)

[Eleanor Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-clark/)

> [If I don't have pressure, I don't function.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferran-adria/if-i-don-t-have-pressure-i-don-t-function/)

[Ferran Adria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferran-adria/)

> [If you restore a car, and you're making money, then you're doing it wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/if-you-restore-a-car-and-you-re-making-money-then-you-re-doing-it/)

[Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/)

> [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/)

[Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/)

> [If we gave up our freedom as the price of security, we would no longer be the great nation that we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/if-we-gave-up-our-freedom-as-the-price-of-security-we-would-no-longer/)

[Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/)

> [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/)

[Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/)

> [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/)

[William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/)

> [But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-sarabhai/but-we-are-convinced-that-if-we-are-to-play-a-meaningful-role/)

[Vikram Sarabhai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-sarabhai/)

> [The thing about hitting kids is, think about if you were doing the same thing to another adult. Hitting your kid is really the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-thing-about-hitting-kids-is-think-about-if-you-were-doing-the/)

[Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/)

> [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/)

[Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/)

Browse all 94,303 Ifs quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Money could not be converted into capital if wage labour did not exist.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "David Harvey"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/money-could-not-be-converted-into-capital-if-wage-labour-did-not-exist/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Ifs"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/money-could-not-be-converted-into-capital-if-wage-labour-did-not-exist/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3a/david-harvey-10654_ifs_money-could-not-be-converted-into-capita_1862595.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3a/david-harvey-10654_ifs_money-could-not-be-converted-into-capita_1862595.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3a/david-harvey-10654_ifs_money-could-not-be-converted-into-capita_1862595.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Money could not be converted into capital if wage labour did not exist.” — David Harvey",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "David Harvey",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Money could not be converted into...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/money-could-not-be-converted-into-capital-if-wage-labour-did-not-exist/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/money-could-not-be-converted-into-capital-if-wage-labour-did-not-exist/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
