--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Making money, getting yourself status in…" description: "\"Making money, getting yourself status in this world is not everything at all. But it has become everything in America. That you really have to get goin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75b/frank-capra-12640_america_making-money-getting-yourself-status-in_620425.jpg" --- # Making money, getting yourself status in this world is not… ![“Making money, getting yourself status in this world is not everything at all. But it has become everything in America. That you really have to get going and keep up with the Jones'. Get a house and a car and other things. And pretty soon you're stymied. Things own you.” quote by Frank Capra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75b/frank-capra-12640_america_making-money-getting-yourself-status-in_620425.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75b/frank-capra-12640_america_making-money-getting-yourself-status-in_620425.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75b/frank-capra-12640_america_making-money-getting-yourself-status-in_620425.jpg) > “Making money, getting yourself status in this world is not everything at all. But it has become everything in America. That you really have to get going and keep up with the Jones'. Get a house and a car and other things. And pretty soon you're stymied. Things own you.” [Frank Capra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-capra/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Societal pressure to equate wealth and status with success leads to endless pursuit and loss of freedom. **In simple terms:** Money and status aren’t everything, but they dominate American values. Key Takeaway Prioritize personal fulfillment over material chase. Themes materialism societal pressure freedom success American Dream Mood reflective critical thoughtful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - career advancement - home buying - social media comparison - financial planning Key Concepts Consumerism identity psychology Questions to Reflect On - How does your own definition of success differ from societal expectations? - What steps can you take to reduce material dependence? A Different Perspective The quote may overgeneralize; not all Americans feel this pressure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Car](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/car/) [Getting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting/) [House](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/house/) [Making money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-money/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Money Getting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money-getting-272163/) [Soon Stymied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soon-stymied-5021237/) [This world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/this-world/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [They're making a ton of money, and no one is getting a nickel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruben-blades/they-re-making-a-ton-of-money-and-no-one-is-getting-a-nickel/) [Ruben Blades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruben-blades/) > [My money getting stronger, my cars is European, The woman that you love the same women that I peein, The places that you run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maino/my-money-getting-stronger-my-cars-is-european-the-woman-that-you-love/) [Maino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maino/) > [I'm going to go back and find out where the money is. The money is not getting down there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-westmoreland/i-m-going-to-go-back-and-find-out-where-the-money-is-the-money-is-not/) [Lynn Westmoreland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-westmoreland/) > [If everyone is getting money, no one is getting disrespected, and no one is getting hurt, no one should be arguing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damon-dash/if-everyone-is-getting-money-no-one-is-getting-disrespected-and-no/) [Damon Dash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damon-dash/) > [But when I got into my teens, I didn't have money. And then, getting into my early 20s, I still didn't have money. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-jessie/but-when-i-got-into-my-teens-i-didn-t-have-money-and-then-getting/) [Claudia Jessie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-jessie/) > [I won my first 10 fights by knockout. The money was getting larger at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-alvarez/i-won-my-first-10-fights-by-knockout-the-money-was-getting-larger-at/) [Eddie Alvarez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-alvarez/) > [The way to get things done is to stimulate competition. I do not mean in a sordid, money-getting way, but in the desire to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-schwab/the-way-to-get-things-done-is-to-stimulate-competition-i-do-not-mean/) [Charles R. Schwab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-schwab/) > [In the commercial music world, the folk world, we sell records and concert tickets - this is the way I make a living. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhiannon-giddens/in-the-commercial-music-world-the-folk-world-we-sell-records-and/) [Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) > [For me, success isn't even about money. It's about getting to do what you love and supporting yourself. Everything that comes after that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-bones/for-me-success-isn-t-even-about-money-it-s-about-getting-to-do-what/) [Bobby Bones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-bones/) > [I do hope you have some money. I'm getting tired of hitting people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-do-hope-you-have-some-money-i-m-getting-tired-of-hitting-people/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The money I was getting paid isn't going to do anything to help my family grow. It's not going to give us a better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-anderson/the-money-i-was-getting-paid-isn-t-going-to-do-anything-to-help-my/) [Corey Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-anderson/) > [Money getting big, like the arms on Hulk Hogan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maino/money-getting-big-like-the-arms-on-hulk-hogan/) [Maino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maino/) > [In January we start saving money, getting out of credit card debt, funding our retirement accounts, and we're doing wonderful. Then, every single year…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/in-january-we-start-saving-money-getting-out-of-credit-card-debt/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [I grew up in Northern Ireland, didn't have a lot of money and getting over to Glasgow to watch a game was probably a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-lafferty/i-grew-up-in-northern-ireland-didn-t-have-a-lot-of-money-and-getting/) [Kyle Lafferty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-lafferty/) > [I'm making better than two million a year, but it's hard work. The luxuries and pleasures I enjoy in my spare time keep me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-m-schwab/i-m-making-better-than-two-million-a-year-but-it-s-hard-work-the/) [Charles M. Schwab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-m-schwab/) ## More by Frank Capra > [Friend, you are a divine mingle-mangle of guts and stardust. So hang in there! If doors opened for me, they can open for anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-capra/friend-you-are-a-divine-mingle-mangle-of-guts-and-stardust-so-hang-in/) [Frank Capra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-capra/) > [When you get to political machines that can control a state, then you're really into organized crime - almost. You're fighting a political mafia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-capra/when-you-get-to-political-machines-that-can-control-a-state-then-you/) [Frank Capra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-capra/) > [Do not help the quick moneymakers who have delusions about taking possession of classics by smearing them with paint.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-capra/do-not-help-the-quick-moneymakers-who-have-delusions-about-taking/) [Frank Capra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-capra/) > [Scriptwriting is the toughest part of the whole racket... the least understood and the least noticed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-capra/scriptwriting-is-the-toughest-part-of-the-whole-racket-the-least/) [Frank Capra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-capra/) > [Film is universal. All the countries of the world are making films. Hollywood is the only major unsubsidized center for films. To my knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-capra/film-is-universal-all-the-countries-of-the-world-are-making-films/) [Frank Capra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-capra/) > [I always felt the world cannot fall apart as long as free men see the rainbow, feel the rain and hear the laugh of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-capra/i-always-felt-the-world-cannot-fall-apart-as-long-as-free-men-see-the/) [Frank Capra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-capra/) > [Things own you. That's the trouble with capitalism. Things own you. With communism and fascism - ideas own you. One idea and you can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-capra/things-own-you-that-s-the-trouble-with-capitalism-things-own-you-with/) [Frank Capra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-capra/) > [In our film profession you may have Gable's looks, Tracy's art, Marlene's legs or Liz's violet eyes, but they don't mean a thing without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-capra/in-our-film-profession-you-may-have-gable-s-looks-tracy-s-art-marlene/) [Frank Capra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-capra/) > [Film is one of the three universal languages, the other two: mathematics and music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-capra/film-is-one-of-the-three-universal-languages-the-other-two/) [Frank Capra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-capra/) > [Most of ideologies are not based on the individual - no matter what they say. There are these peoples' democracies, nationalism - they're all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-capra/most-of-ideologies-are-not-based-on-the-individual-no-matter-what/) [Frank Capra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-capra/) > [I'm a living example of getting into films backwards. Merely by accident. Exposure to films and ideas is the best thing that colleges can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-capra/i-m-a-living-example-of-getting-into-films-backwards-merely-by/) [Frank Capra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-capra/) > [I happen to think that Jesus was the greatest hero of all time. I don't think you could invent that kind of a hero.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-capra/i-happen-to-think-that-jesus-was-the-greatest-hero-of-all-time-i-don/) [Frank Capra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-capra/) > [The best pictures are yet to be made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-capra/the-best-pictures-are-yet-to-be-made/) [Frank Capra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-capra/) > [I have a sixth sense for casting. I just have to see and talk to the actors. I never make tests. I like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-capra/i-have-a-sixth-sense-for-casting-i-just-have-to-see-and-talk-to-the/) [Frank Capra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-capra/) > [The best way to make friends with an audience is to make them laugh. You don't get people to laugh unless they surrender -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-capra/the-best-way-to-make-friends-with-an-audience-is-to-make-them-laugh/) [Frank Capra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-capra/) [Explore all 54 Frank Capra quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-capra/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/) [Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. 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