Common Quote by Kent Nerburn
“Money is like any other language through which people communicate. People who speak the same language tend to find each other. If you are one whose money speaks of protection and hoarding, you will find yourself involved with others whose money speaks the same language. You will be staring at each other with hooded eyes and closed fists and suspicion will be your common value. If your money speaks of sharing, you will find yourself among people who want their money to speak the language of sharing, and your world will be filled with possibility.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Language of Money, Kent Nerburn, 2010
Money functions like a language; its values attract like‑minded people, shaping communities of either hoarding or sharing.
In simple terms: Money’s values draw similar people together.
Key Takeaway
Align financial values with desired community.
Themes
economics
values
communication
community
choice
Mood
hopeful
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- investment clubs
- charitable foundations
- neighborhood cooperatives
- business partnerships
Key Concepts
social capital
financial ethics
network effects
Questions to Reflect On
- What values do you want your money to express?
- How can you diversify financial communities?
A Different Perspective
Focusing solely on money’s language may ignore non‑financial aspects of relationships.
![“Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a [Soviet socialistic] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants, lands, banks, means of transportation, etc., remain untouched there, and, therefore, capitalism in Germany and Italy…” quote by Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/411/joseph-stalin-1734_capitalism_neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-natio_1430.jpg)
