--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But every acquisition that is…" description: "\"But every acquisition that is disproportionate to the labor spent on it is dishonest.\" — Leo Tolstoy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8df/leo-tolstoy-55_acquisition_but-every-acquisition-that-is-disproport_2558934.png" --- # But every acquisition that is disproportionate to the… ![“But every acquisition that is disproportionate to the labor spent on it is dishonest.” quote by Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8df/leo-tolstoy-55_acquisition_but-every-acquisition-that-is-disproport_2558934.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8df/leo-tolstoy-55_acquisition_but-every-acquisition-that-is-disproport_2558934.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8df/leo-tolstoy-55_acquisition_but-every-acquisition-that-is-disproport_2558934.png) > “But every acquisition that is disproportionate to the labor spent on it is dishonest.” [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Acquiring something far beyond the effort invested is unfair and deceptive, violating ethical standards. **In simple terms:** Unearned gain is dishonest. Key Takeaway Seek fair exchange and value labor. Themes ethics fairness labor value Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - business deals - gift giving - workplace rewards - charitable donations Key Concepts economics morality Questions to Reflect On - Is all profit ethical? - When does effort justify reward? A Different Perspective Sometimes perceived value exceeds measurable effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acquisition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquisition/) [Disproportionate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disproportionate/) [Labor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labor/) ## Related quotes > [“But any acquisition that doesn't correspond to the labour expended is dishonest”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tolstoy/but-any-acquisition-that-doesn-t-correspond-to-the-labour-expended-is/) [Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tolstoy/) > [“But all profit that is out of proportion to the labor expended is dishonest.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/but-all-profit-that-is-out-of-proportion-to-the-labor-expended-is/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“The acquisition by dishonest means and cunning,' said Levin, feeling that he was incapable of clearly defining the borderline between honesty and dishonesty. 'Like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/the-acquisition-by-dishonest-means-and-cunning-said-levin-feeling/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Pakistan is riddled with problems that are rooted in the disproportionate power of the state. Aid has only boosted that power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iqbal-quadir/pakistan-is-riddled-with-problems-that-are-rooted-in-the/) [Iqbal Quadir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iqbal-quadir/) > [I am fairly certain that my abortion position hurt me, because in a Democratic primary, where turnout is relatively low, liberal voters turn out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-casey/i-am-fairly-certain-that-my-abortion-position-hurt-me-because-in-a/) [Robert Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-casey/) > [I have a disproportionate amount of faith in the goodness of the world and that everything will actually work out okay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sloane-crosley/i-have-a-disproportionate-amount-of-faith-in-the-goodness-of-the/) [Sloane Crosley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sloane-crosley/) > [“He thought it disproportionate in its violence considering the fragility of us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-jones/he-thought-it-disproportionate-in-its-violence-considering-the/) [David Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-jones/) > [As a city, we have to face the reality that New York's minority communities experience a disproportionate share of violent crime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-kelly/as-a-city-we-have-to-face-the-reality-that-new-york-s-minority/) [Raymond Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-kelly/) > [If disproportionate results come from one activity, then you must give that one activity disproportionate time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-w-keller/if-disproportionate-results-come-from-one-activity-then-you-must-give/) [Gary W. Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-w-keller/) > [The entire issue is that women bear a disproportionate share of the hard work. Birthing, carrying, the whole thing - it's hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sessions/the-entire-issue-is-that-women-bear-a-disproportionate-share-of-the/) [Pete Sessions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sessions/) > [Where we're not wrong or where the cost of settling is so much that it is totally disproportionate to the harm or the error…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/where-we-re-not-wrong-or-where-the-cost-of-settling-is-so-much-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Ingratitude is often disproportionate to the benefaction received.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/ingratitude-is-often-disproportionate-to-the-benefaction-received/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [To reduce this claim of slavery to an absurdity, it is only necessary to add that there are only two states in which slaves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-seward/to-reduce-this-claim-of-slavery-to-an-absurdity-it-is-only-necessary/) [William H. Seward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-seward/) > [Our post-denominational age should be the perfect time for a Mormon to become president, or at least the Republican nominee. Mormons share nearly all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-feldman/our-post-denominational-age-should-be-the-perfect-time-for-a-mormon/) [Noah Feldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-feldman/) > [Regulatory mandates have a disproportionate effect on small businesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajit-pai/regulatory-mandates-have-a-disproportionate-effect-on-small-businesses/) [Ajit Pai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajit-pai/) ## More by Leo Tolstoy > [These joys were so trifling as to be as imperceptible as grains of gold among the sand, and in moments of depression she saw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/these-joys-were-so-trifling-as-to-be-as-imperceptible-as-grains-of/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [The only significance of life consists in helping to establish the kingdom of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/the-only-significance-of-life-consists-in-helping-to-establish-the/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“I already love in you your beauty, but I am only beginning to love in you that which is eternal and ever precious –…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/i-already-love-in-you-your-beauty-but-i-am-only-beginning-to-love-in/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Energy rests upon love; and come as it will, there's no forcing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/energy-rests-upon-love-and-come-as-it-will-there-s-no-forcing-it/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“If you only knew what those society women are, and women in general! My father is right. Selfish, vain, stupid, trivial in everything—that's what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/if-you-only-knew-what-those-society-women-are-and-women-in-general-my/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [To evoke in oneself a feeling one has once experienced, and having evoked it in oneself, then by means of movements, lines, colors, sounds,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/to-evoke-in-oneself-a-feeling-one-has-once-experienced-and-having/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [To speak of it would be giving importance to that which has none.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/to-speak-of-it-would-be-giving-importance-to-that-which-has-none/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Once we're thrown off our habitual paths, we think all is lost, but it's only here that the new and the good begins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/once-we-re-thrown-off-our-habitual-paths-we-think-all-is-lost-but-it/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“He knew she was there by the rapture and the terror that seized on his heart. She was standing talking to a lady at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/he-knew-she-was-there-by-the-rapture-and-the-terror-that-seized-on/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Rest, nature, books, music...such is my idea of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/rest-nature-books-music-such-is-my-idea-of-happiness/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“He was not to blame for being born with an irrepressible charachter and a mind some how constrained.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/he-was-not-to-blame-for-being-born-with-an-irrepressible-charachter/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [I ask one thing only: I ask for the right to hope, to suffer as I do. But if even that cannot be, command…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/i-ask-one-thing-only-i-ask-for-the-right-to-hope-to-suffer-as-i-do/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [The idea shared by many that life is a vale of tears is just as false as the idea shared by the great majority,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/the-idea-shared-by-many-that-life-is-a-vale-of-tears-is-just-as-false/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [To say that a work of art is good, but incomprehensible to the majority of men, is the same as saying of some kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/to-say-that-a-work-of-art-is-good-but-incomprehensible-to-the/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [True life is lived when tiny changes occur.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/true-life-is-lived-when-tiny-changes-occur/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) [Explore all 1,754 Leo Tolstoy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) ## More Acquisition quotes > [The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance”: “The differences between expert performers and normal adults are not immutable, that is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-anders-ericsson/the-role-of-deliberate-practice-in-the-acquisition-of-expert/) K. Anders Ericsson > [ No one suffers so much as he \[the genius\] with the people, and, therefore, for the people, with whom he lives. For, in a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-weininger/no-one-suffers-so-much-as-he-the-genius-with-the-people-and-therefore/) [Otto Weininger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-weininger/) > [Personal happiness lies in knowing that life is not a checklist of acquisition. Your qualifications are not your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/personal-happiness-lies-in-knowing-that-life-is-not-a-checklist-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We may... affirm that the balance of power in a society accompanies the balance of property in land. The only possible way, then, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/we-may-affirm-that-the-balance-of-power-in-a-society-accompanies-the/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Learning to play the guitar is a combination of mental and motor skill acquisition. And to develop motor skill, repetition is essential... Whenever musicians…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-roberts/learning-to-play-the-guitar-is-a-combination-of-mental-and-motor/) [Howard Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-roberts/) > [All worldly pursuits have but one unavoidable and inevitable end, which is sorrow; acquisitions end in dispersion; buildings in destruction; meetings in separation; births…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milarepa/all-worldly-pursuits-have-but-one-unavoidable-and-inevitable-end/) [Milarepa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milarepa/) > [When ice appears out of doors, and boys seize it up while it is solid, at first they experience new pleasures. But in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/when-ice-appears-out-of-doors-and-boys-seize-it-up-while-it-is-solid/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [Accounting consequences do not influence our operating or capital-allocation decisions. When acquisition costs are similar, we much prefer to purchase $2 of earnings that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/accounting-consequences-do-not-influence-our-operating-or-capital/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [A sustainable economy represents nothing less than a higher social order one as concerned with future generations as with our own, and more focused…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-r-brown/a-sustainable-economy-represents-nothing-less-than-a-higher-social/) [Lester R. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-r-brown/) > [One industrial age belief is that GDP or GNP is a measure of progress. I don't care if you're the President of China or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-senge/one-industrial-age-belief-is-that-gdp-or-gnp-is-a-measure-of-progress/) [Peter Senge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-senge/) > [I ended up doing four or five plays in college and being an English major with my thesis in language acquisition, which I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-coon/i-ended-up-doing-four-or-five-plays-in-college-and-being-an-english/) [Carrie Coon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-coon/) > [But most automotive dealerships are set up for customer acquisition - which is crazy when you consider the average cost of customer acquisition is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hughes/but-most-automotive-dealerships-are-set-up-for-customer-acquisition/) Arthur Hughes > [As priestcraft was always the enemy of knowledge, because priestcraft supports itself by keeping people in delusion and ignorance, it was consistent with its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/as-priestcraft-was-always-the-enemy-of-knowledge-because-priestcraft/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Even as the unborn babe is in the womb of his mother, these five are fixed as his life destiny: his life span, his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/even-as-the-unborn-babe-is-in-the-womb-of-his-mother-these-five-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What becomes of a man who acquires a beautiful woman, with her "beauty" his sole target? He sabotages himself. He has gained no friend,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-wolf/what-becomes-of-a-man-who-acquires-a-beautiful-woman-with-her-beauty/) [Naomi Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-wolf/) [Browse all 395 Acquisition quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquisition/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "But every acquisition that is disproportionate to the labor spent on it is dishonest.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Leo Tolstoy" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/but-every-acquisition-that-is-disproportionate-to-the-labor-spent-on/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acquisition" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/but-every-acquisition-that-is-disproportionate-to-the-labor-spent-on/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8df/leo-tolstoy-55_acquisition_but-every-acquisition-that-is-disproport_2558934.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8df/leo-tolstoy-55_acquisition_but-every-acquisition-that-is-disproport_2558934.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8df/leo-tolstoy-55_acquisition_but-every-acquisition-that-is-disproport_2558934.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“But every acquisition that is disproportionate to the labor spent on it is dishonest.” — Leo Tolstoy", "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": "Leo Tolstoy", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "But every acquisition that is disproportionate...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/but-every-acquisition-that-is-disproportionate-to-the-labor-spent-on/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/but-every-acquisition-that-is-disproportionate-to-the-labor-spent-on/#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 } } ] } ```