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Money Quote by Malcolm Forbes

“The richest person in the world - in fact, all the riches in the world - couldn't provide you with anything like the endless, incredible loot available in your local library. You can measure the awareness, the breadth and the wisdom of a civilization, a nation, a people by the priority given to…” quote by Malcolm Forbes
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““The richest person in the world - in fact, all the riches in the world - couldn't provide you with anything like the endless, incredible loot available in your local library. You can measure the awareness, the breadth and the wisdom of a civilization, a nation, a people by the priority given to preserving these repositories of all that we are, all that we were, or will be. Our libraries are being eroded alarmingly by inflation. It behooves us - all of us - to stop the rot by the application of that prime preserver - money.””

Malcolm Forbes

About This Quote

Source Speech: Commentary on Libraries, Malcolm Forbes, 2000

Libraries hold the collective knowledge and cultural heritage of humanity, far surpassing material wealth.

In simple terms: Libraries are priceless repositories of knowledge.

Key Takeaway

Support and fund libraries to preserve civilization's wisdom.

Themes

knowledge heritage preservation wealth inflation

Mood

concerned urgent

Type

advocacy informational

When to use this quote

  • community education
  • research
  • policy advocacy
  • budget planning

Key Concepts

cultural capital public good information equity

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can communities prioritize library funding?
  • What alternatives exist to protect libraries beyond money?
A Different Perspective

Funding alone cannot solve systemic neglect without public engagement.

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