Grandmother Quote by Edith Wharton
““... He remembered once hearing his grandmother... say plaintively: "Why daughter, I presume I can go without -- BUT I CAN'T ECONOMIZE.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: “The House of Mirth” (published 1905)
The narrator recalls a grandmother’s warning that one cannot live without spending, highlighting the tension between frugality and the need for consumption.
In simple terms: You cannot survive without some consumption, even if you try to save.
Balance prudence with necessary spending.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- budget planning
- family counseling
- financial education
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “cannot economize” mean in modern life?
- How do family teachings shape our spending habits?
The quote may oversimplify complex financial realities.