--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Abracadabra, thus we learn The more you…" description: "\"Abracadabra, thus we learn The more you create, the less you earn. The less you earn, the more you're given, The less you lead, the more you're driven,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f44/ogden-nash-1286_abracadabra_abracadabra-thus-we-learn-the-more-you-c_3011868.jpg" --- # Abracadabra, thus we learn The more you create, the less… ![“Abracadabra, thus we learn The more you create, the less you earn. The less you earn, the more you're given, The less you lead, the more you're driven, The more destroyed, the more they feed, The more you pay, the more they need, The more you earn, the less you keep, And now I lay me down to…” quote by Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f44/ogden-nash-1286_abracadabra_abracadabra-thus-we-learn-the-more-you-c_3011868.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f44/ogden-nash-1286_abracadabra_abracadabra-thus-we-learn-the-more-you-c_3011868.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f44/ogden-nash-1286_abracadabra_abracadabra-thus-we-learn-the-more-you-c_3011868.jpg) > “Abracadabra, thus we learn The more you create, the less you earn. The less you earn, the more you're given, The less you lead, the more you're driven, The more destroyed, the more they feed, The more you pay, the more they need, The more you earn, the less you keep, And now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to take If the tax-collector hasn't got it before I wake.” [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A whimsical rhyme linking creation, earnings, and moral consequences, ending with a prayer about taxes. **In simple terms:** Creating more leads to earning less, and vice versa. Key Takeaway Balance creation and reward, stay mindful of taxes. Themes creativity economics morality spirituality Mood playful reflective Type poetic philosophical When to use this quote - financial planning - creative work - ethical decisions Key Concepts paradox satire Questions to Reflect On - What trade‑offs do you face in your creative work? - How do you reconcile profit with purpose? A Different Perspective The rhyme oversimplifies complex economic realities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abracadabra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abracadabra/) [Collectors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collectors/) [Destroyed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destroyed/) [Driven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/driven/) [Earn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earn/) [Earn Earn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earn-earn-909268/) [Earn Given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earn-given-480868/) [Earn Lay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earn-lay-4833600/) [Given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/given/) [I pray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-pray/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Lays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lays/) [Lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lord/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [My soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-soul/) [Need Earn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need-earn-419187/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Pay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pay/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Praying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praying/) [Sleep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sleep/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Taxes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taxes/) ## Related quotes > [The more you earn, the less you keep, And now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to take,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/the-more-you-earn-the-less-you-keep-and-now-i-lay-me-down-to-sleep-i/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [Trust and respect is something you earn, not something that is given.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billie-jean-king/trust-and-respect-is-something-you-earn-not-something-that-is-given/) [Billie Jean King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billie-jean-king/) > [You can't win fame; you have to earn it. If you're given fame without working for it, then you're not going to be ready…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lemmy/you-can-t-win-fame-you-have-to-earn-it-if-you-re-given-fame-without/) [Lemmy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lemmy/) > [I'm working hard. I'm putting in the hard work. I'm sacrificing. I ain't asking for no handouts. I'm going to earn everything I'm given.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-holloway/i-m-working-hard-i-m-putting-in-the-hard-work-i-m-sacrificing-i-ain-t/) [Max Holloway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-holloway/) > [It's not always easy to make a name for yourself. You've gotta earn it. Because nothing's ever given.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-wiggins/it-s-not-always-easy-to-make-a-name-for-yourself-you-ve-gotta-earn-it/) [Andrew Wiggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-wiggins/) > [Society is made up of two classes those who get more than they earn and those earn more than they get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/society-is-made-up-of-two-classes-those-who-get-more-than-they-earn/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Respect is something you earn. You earn it simply by being a real, genuine person at all times. Not being scared to be yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/respect-is-something-you-earn-you-earn-it-simply-by-being-a-real/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Success in the United States is not an entitlement in China. You have to go there and earn it, and earn it the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/success-in-the-united-states-is-not-an-entitlement-in-china-you-have/) [Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/) > [There are only two classes in society: those who get more than they earn, and those who earn more than they get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holbrook-jackson/there-are-only-two-classes-in-society-those-who-get-more-than-they/) [Holbrook Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holbrook-jackson/) > [You're not simply entitled to be an actor - you're not an actor just because you call yourself one - you earn it. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-moss/you-re-not-simply-entitled-to-be-an-actor-you-re-not-an-actor-just/) [Larry Moss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-moss/) > [“If you earn little, give little. If you earn much, give much. But even if you earn nothing, try to give something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/if-you-earn-little-give-little-if-you-earn-much-give-much-but-even-if/) [Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/) > [“To get respect you must earn it first! To earn respect...you must always give it first!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-pina/to-get-respect-you-must-earn-it-first-to-earn-respect-you-must-always/) [Timothy Pina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-pina/) > [I love variety. I love theater. I also love radio. I love language. But, the older you get, you need to earn money. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/indira-varma/i-love-variety-i-love-theater-i-also-love-radio-i-love-language-but/) [Indira Varma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/indira-varma/) > [It's a business and it's a short career. You need to get in, earn as much money as possible. Get out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonjo-shelvey/it-s-a-business-and-it-s-a-short-career-you-need-to-get-in-earn-as/) [Jonjo Shelvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonjo-shelvey/) > [At the end of the day I also need to earn my bread and butter. Just because I am not getting to show my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ankit-tiwari/at-the-end-of-the-day-i-also-need-to-earn-my-bread-and-butter-just/) [Ankit Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ankit-tiwari/) ## More by Ogden Nash > [There is only one way to achieve happiness on this terrestrial ball, and that is to have either a clear conscience or none at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/there-is-only-one-way-to-achieve-happiness-on-this-terrestrial-ball/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [The sky is now indelible ink, The branches reft asunder; But you and I we do not shrink; We love the lovely thunder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/the-sky-is-now-indelible-ink-the-branches-reft-asunder-but-you-and-i/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [Middle-aged life is merry, and I love to lead it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/middle-aged-life-is-merry-and-i-love-to-lead-it/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [When a lady's erotic life is vexed God knows what God is coming next.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/when-a-lady-s-erotic-life-is-vexed-god-knows-what-god-is-coming-next/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [“Love is a word that is constantly heard, Hate is a word that is not. Love, I am told, is more precious that gold.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/love-is-a-word-that-is-constantly-heard-hate-is-a-word-that-is-not/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [A husband is a guy who tells you when you've got on too much lipstick and helps you with your girdle when your hips…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/a-husband-is-a-guy-who-tells-you-when-you-ve-got-on-too-much-lipstick/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [Marriage is the alliance of two people, one of whom never remembers birthdays and the other never forgets them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/marriage-is-the-alliance-of-two-people-one-of-whom-never-remembers/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [I claim there ain't Another Saint As great as Valentine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/i-claim-there-ain-t-another-saint-as-great-as-valentine/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [“Senescence begins And middle-age ends The day your descendants Outnumber your friends”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/senescence-begins-and-middle-age-ends-the-day-your-descendants/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [Poets arent very usefulBecause they aren't consumeful or produceful..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/poets-arent-very-usefulbecause-they-aren-t-consumeful-or-produceful/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [I don't mind their having a lot of money, and I don't care how they employ it, but I do think that they damn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/i-don-t-mind-their-having-a-lot-of-money-and-i-don-t-care-how-they/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [To maintain your marriage brimming, with really like in the wedding cup, anytime you are incorrect, admit it each time you're proper, shut up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/to-maintain-your-marriage-brimming-with-really-like-in-the-wedding/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [No, you never get any fun Out of the things you haven't done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/no-you-never-get-any-fun-out-of-the-things-you-haven-t-done/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [“Which the Chicken and Which the Egg? He drinks because she scolds, he thinks; She thinks she scolds because he drinks; And nether will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/which-the-chicken-and-which-the-egg-he-drinks-because-she-scolds-he/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [“People can't concentrate properly on blowing other people to pieces if their minds are poisoned by thoughts suitable to the twenty-fifth of December.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/people-can-t-concentrate-properly-on-blowing-other-people-to-pieces/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) [Explore all 261 Ogden Nash quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) ## More Abracadabra quotes > [Mass ought to be in Latin, unless you could do it in Greek or Chinese. In fact, any abracadabra that no bloody member of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-pound/mass-ought-to-be-in-latin-unless-you-could-do-it-in-greek-or-chinese/) [Ezra Pound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-pound/) > [“One single sentence, one frame of film, and abracadabra! the story’s wings would take her to another lost world, another magic realm that was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-osborne/one-single-sentence-one-frame-of-film-and-abracadabra-the-story-s/) [Neale Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-osborne/) > [One might point to the great illumination that has resulted from Freud's analysis of the abracadabra of our dreams. No one can any longer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/one-might-point-to-the-great-illumination-that-has-resulted-from/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [We treat the Bible, not as if it's a magic book that has to be handled like a piece of abracadabra, make sure it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/we-treat-the-bible-not-as-if-it-s-a-magic-book-that-has-to-be-handled/) [D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/) > [Ridicule is the only weapon which can be used against unintelligible propositions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/ridicule-is-the-only-weapon-which-can-be-used-against-unintelligible/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Ridicule is the only weapon which can be used against unintelligible propositions. Ideas must be distinct before reason can act upon them; and no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/ridicule-is-the-only-weapon-which-can-be-used-against-unintelligible-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/now-i-lay-me-down-to-sleep-i-pray-the-lord-my-soul-to-keep/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [The more you earn, the less you keep, And now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to take,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/the-more-you-earn-the-less-you-keep-and-now-i-lay-me-down-to-sleep-i/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [“Rules of Magic: Do as you will, but harm no one. What you give will be returned to you threefold. Fall in love whenever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/rules-of-magic-do-as-you-will-but-harm-no-one-what-you-give-will-be/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [“Have you ever heard anyone say 'Abracadabra'? Well, some think it means 'I create as I speak.' So it means we create our world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-antieau/have-you-ever-heard-anyone-say-abracadabra-well-some-think-it-means-i/) [Kim Antieau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-antieau/) > [I wish grace and healing were more abracadabra kind of things. Also, that delicate silver bells would ring to announce grace's arrival. But no,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/i-wish-grace-and-healing-were-more-abracadabra-kind-of-things-also/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“Through all the muck of themselves, the times they had unobligated each other, the anger, the permitted absences, the loneliness grown dangerous, she had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorrie-moore/through-all-the-muck-of-themselves-the-times-they-had-unobligated/) [Lorrie Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorrie-moore/) > [In order that the relations between science and the age may be what they ought to be, the world at large must be made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jay-youmans/in-order-that-the-relations-between-science-and-the-age-may-be-what/) [William Jay Youmans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jay-youmans/) > [“Altho' I rarely waste time in reading on theological subjects, as mangled by our Pseudo-Christians, yet I can readily suppose Basanistos may be amusing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/altho-i-rarely-waste-time-in-reading-on-theological-subjects-as/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“― Abraticezamu! Senha incorreta. ― Abracadabra. Senha incorreta. ― lalala1? ― Oi.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/filipe-russo/abraticezamu-senha-incorreta-abracadabra-senha-incorreta-lalala1-oi/) [Filipe Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/filipe-russo/) [Browse all 19 Abracadabra quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abracadabra/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Abracadabra, thus we learn The more you create, the less you earn. The less you earn, the more you're given, The less you lead, the more you're driven, The more destroyed, the more they feed, The more you pay, the more they need, The more you earn, the less you keep, And now I lay me down to sleep. 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