--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If we all downed tools and joined hands…" description: "\"“If we all downed tools and joined hands for ten minutes and stopped believing in money, then money would no longer exist. We never will, of course. Ma..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/169/martin-amis-704_money_if-we-all-downed-tools-and-joined-hands_7049.jpg" --- # If we all downed tools and joined hands for ten minutes… ![“If we all downed tools and joined hands for ten minutes and stopped believing in money, then money would no longer exist. We never will, of course. Maybe money is the great conspiracy, the great fiction. The great addiction too: we're all addicted and we can't break the habit now. There's not even…” quote by Martin Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/169/martin-amis-704_money_if-we-all-downed-tools-and-joined-hands_7049.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/169/martin-amis-704_money_if-we-all-downed-tools-and-joined-hands_7049.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/169/martin-amis-704_money_if-we-all-downed-tools-and-joined-hands_7049.jpg) > ““If we all downed tools and joined hands for ten minutes and stopped believing in money, then money would no longer exist. We never will, of course. Maybe money is the great conspiracy, the great fiction. The great addiction too: we're all addicted and we can't break the habit now. There's not even anything very twentieth century about it, except the disposition. You just can't kick it, that junk, even if you want to. You can't get the money monkey off your back.”” [Martin Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-amis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that money functions as a pervasive, almost addictive social construct that people cannot easily abandon, despite recognizing its artificiality. **In simple terms:** Money is an entrenched, addictive illusion. Key Takeaway We are bound to money by habit. Themes social constructs addiction illusion power dynamics human behavior Mood skeptical reflective Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - discussing financial reform - examining personal spending habits - debating wealth inequality Key Concepts economic systems psychology of habit cultural narratives Practical Applications - critical analysis of monetary policy Questions to Reflect On - What would a society without money look like? - How does the perception of money shape our choices? A Different Perspective Some argue that money can be reformed rather than eliminated, serving as a tool for coordination and value exchange. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) ## Related quotes > [“Oil. The great addiction of the civilized world”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-warren/oil-the-great-addiction-of-the-civilized-world/) [Andrew Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-warren/) > [Maybe money can't buy love - but it can get you practically everything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-macomber/maybe-money-can-t-buy-love-but-it-can-get-you-practically-everything/) [Debbie Macomber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-macomber/) > [I don't understand how most pop stars live this life being told what to do, what to wear, all the time. 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