--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The darkest hour in any man's life is…" description: "\"The darkest hour in any man's life is when he sits down to plan how to get money without earning it.\" — Horace Greeley" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4db/horace-greeley-11383_darkest-hour_the-darkest-hour-in-any-man-s-life-is-wh_725193.jpg" --- # The darkest hour in any man's life is when he sits down to… ![“The darkest hour in any man's life is when he sits down to plan how to get money without earning it.” quote by Horace Greeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4db/horace-greeley-11383_darkest-hour_the-darkest-hour-in-any-man-s-life-is-wh_725193.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4db/horace-greeley-11383_darkest-hour_the-darkest-hour-in-any-man-s-life-is-wh_725193.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4db/horace-greeley-11383_darkest-hour_the-darkest-hour-in-any-man-s-life-is-wh_725193.jpg) > “The darkest hour in any man's life is when he sits down to plan how to get money without earning it.” [Horace Greeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-greeley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Seeking wealth without effort reflects moral decay, emphasizing the value of honest labor. **In simple terms:** Unearned money is corrupting. Key Takeaway Value hard work. Themes ethics economics morality Mood critical thoughtful Type historical philosophical When to use this quote - business decisions - personal finance - policy making Key Concepts capitalism social critique Questions to Reflect On - Is all passive income immoral? - How do you define “earned” wealth? A Different Perspective Not all shortcuts are unethical; context matters. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Darkest hour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkest-hour/) [Earning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earning/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Sits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-sits-2587915/) [Man Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-life/) [Man's Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mans-life/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Money Earning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money-earning-5063303/) [Plan Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plan-money-2637277/) ## Related quotes > [The darkest moment of any man's life is when he sits down to plan how to get money without even earning it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frenchqueen/the-darkest-moment-of-any-man-s-life-is-when-he-sits-down-to-plan-how/) [Frenchqueen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frenchqueen/) > [The worst day in a man's life is when he sits down and begins thinking about how he can get something for nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-worst-day-in-a-man-s-life-is-when-he-sits-down-and-begins/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [With the young man starting in business, let him understand the value of money by earning it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-t-barnum/with-the-young-man-starting-in-business-let-him-understand-the-value/) [P. 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He cannot be re-elected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-greeley/mr-lincoln-is-already-defeated-he-cannot-be-re-elected/) [Horace Greeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-greeley/) > [I am the inferior of any man whose rights I trample underfoot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-greeley/i-am-the-inferior-of-any-man-whose-rights-i-trample-underfoot/) [Horace Greeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-greeley/) > [A widow of doubtful age will marry almost any sort of a white man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-greeley/a-widow-of-doubtful-age-will-marry-almost-any-sort-of-a-white-man/) [Horace Greeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-greeley/) > [Bigotry is chronic dogmatism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-greeley/bigotry-is-chronic-dogmatism/) [Horace Greeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-greeley/) > [There is no bigotry like that of "free thought" run to seed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-greeley/there-is-no-bigotry-like-that-of-free-thought-run-to-seed/) [Horace Greeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-greeley/) > [Talent without tact is only half talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-greeley/talent-without-tact-is-only-half-talent/) [Horace Greeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-greeley/) > [Go West, young man, go West. 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