---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Not to be able to bear poverty is a…"
description: "\"Not to be able to bear poverty is a shameful thing, but not to know how to chase it away by work is a more shameful thing yet.\" — Pericles"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/560/pericles-11474_able_not-to-be-able-to-bear-poverty-is-a-sham_1691512.png"
---

#  Not to be able to bear poverty is a shameful thing, but…

![“Not to be able to bear poverty is a shameful thing, but not to know how to chase it away by work is a more shameful thing yet.” quote by Pericles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/560/pericles-11474_able_not-to-be-able-to-bear-poverty-is-a-sham_1691512.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/560/pericles-11474_able_not-to-be-able-to-bear-poverty-is-a-sham_1691512.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/560/pericles-11474_able_not-to-be-able-to-bear-poverty-is-a-sham_1691512.png)

> “Not to be able to bear poverty is a shameful thing, but not to know how to chase it away by work is a more shameful thing yet.”

[Pericles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pericles/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Being unable to endure poverty is disgraceful, but failing to escape it through work is even worse.

**In simple terms:** Poverty is shameful; work is the remedy.

Key Takeaway

Work to lift yourself out of poverty.

Themes

poverty work self‑reliance

Mood

determined reflective

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- job seeking
- entrepreneurship
- skill development
- financial planning

Key Concepts

economic dignity personal responsibility

Questions to Reflect On

- What steps can you take to improve your economic situation?
- How can society support those unable to work?

A Different Perspective

Hard work may not guarantee escape from systemic poverty.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Able](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able/) [Bear Poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bear-poverty-1059988/) [Bears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bears/) [Know how](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-how/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty/) [Poverty Shameful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty-shameful-1059986/) [Recreation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recreation/) [Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rich/) [Shameful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shameful/) [Shameful Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shameful-thing-1059989/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Work Shameful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-shameful-1059987/)

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