--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He who seeks for gain, must be at some…" description: "\"He who seeks for gain, must be at some expense.\" — Plautus" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/632/plautus-1263_quote_he-who-seeks-for-gain-must-be-at-some-ex_1648997.jpg" --- # He who seeks for gain, must be at some expense. ![“He who seeks for gain, must be at some expense.” quote by Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/632/plautus-1263_quote_he-who-seeks-for-gain-must-be-at-some-ex_1648997.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/632/plautus-1263_quote_he-who-seeks-for-gain-must-be-at-some-ex_1648997.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/632/plautus-1263_quote_he-who-seeks-for-gain-must-be-at-some-ex_1648997.jpg) > “He who seeks for gain, must be at some expense.” [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Pursuing personal gain inevitably incurs some cost or sacrifice. **In simple terms:** Gain requires expense. Key Takeaway Weigh benefits against inevitable costs. Themes ethics economics trade‑offs Mood analytical pragmatic Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - business deals - personal ambitions - political negotiations Key Concepts utilitarianism moral calculus Questions to Reflect On - What are you willing to sacrifice? - Is the gain worth the expense? A Different Perspective Costs may outweigh benefits if not carefully considered. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Expense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expense/) [Gain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gain/) [Gain Expense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gain-expense-633668/) [Seeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seeks/) [Seeks Gain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seeks-gain-633667/) ## Related quotes > [A villain to me is someone who actively seeks to hurt someone or does things for his own gain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikolaj-coster-waldau/a-villain-to-me-is-someone-who-actively-seeks-to-hurt-someone-or-does/) [Nikolaj Coster-Waldau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikolaj-coster-waldau/) > [We have to move from the unbridled pursuit of self-gain at the expense of others to recovering appreciation for what we gain by caring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-sheehy/we-have-to-move-from-the-unbridled-pursuit-of-self-gain-at-the/) [Gail Sheehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-sheehy/) > [One may gain one truth at the expense of another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/one-may-gain-one-truth-at-the-expense-of-another/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [Our democracies are increasingly captured by a ruling class that seeks to perpetuate its privileges.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-hilton/our-democracies-are-increasingly-captured-by-a-ruling-class-that/) [Steve Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-hilton/) > [“When a person seeks," Siddhartha said, "it can easily happen that his eye sees only the thing he is seeking; he is incapable of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/when-a-person-seeks-siddhartha-said-it-can-easily-happen-that-his-eye/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [What will happen to me if that which this desire seeks is achieved, and what if it is not?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epicurus/what-will-happen-to-me-if-that-which-this-desire-seeks-is-achieved/) [Epicurus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epicurus/) > [I will run an open government that speaks with honesty, seeks opinion, listens to its citizens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enrique-pena-nieto/i-will-run-an-open-government-that-speaks-with-honesty-seeks-opinion/) [Enrique Pena Nieto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enrique-pena-nieto/) > [Companions the creator seeks, not corpses, not herds and believers. Fellow creators the creator seeks -- those who write new values on new tablets.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/companions-the-creator-seeks-not-corpses-not-herds-and-believers/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Seeks painted trifles and fantastic toys, and eagerly pursues imaginary joys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-akenside/seeks-painted-trifles-and-fantastic-toys-and-eagerly-pursues/) [Mark Akenside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-akenside/) > [I'm not somebody who seeks attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-mcgrath/i-m-not-somebody-who-seeks-attention/) [Amy McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-mcgrath/) > [Whoever, in the pursuit of science, seeks after immediate practical utility, may generally rest assured that he will seek in vain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/whoever-in-the-pursuit-of-science-seeks-after-immediate-practical/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The secrete about me is that I don't seek attension but the attension seeks me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simphiwe-scientist-dumi/the-secrete-about-me-is-that-i-don-t-seek-attension-but-the-attension/) [Simphiwe Scientist Dumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simphiwe-scientist-dumi/) > [I'm a guy who always seeks the goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richarlison/i-m-a-guy-who-always-seeks-the-goal/) [Richarlison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richarlison/) > [Modern capitalism seeks to assure us that it operates according to the principles of free creativity, endless development and diversity. It glosses over its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadezhda-tolokonnikova/modern-capitalism-seeks-to-assure-us-that-it-operates-according-to/) [Nadezhda Tolokonnikova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadezhda-tolokonnikova/) > [The western mantra is that Israel seeks negotiations without preconditions, while the Palestinians refuse. The opposite is more accurate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-western-mantra-is-that-israel-seeks-negotiations-without/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) ## More by Plautus > [Remind a man of what he remembers, and you will make him forget it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/remind-a-man-of-what-he-remembers-and-you-will-make-him-forget-it/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [Arrogance is the outgrowth of prosperity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/arrogance-is-the-outgrowth-of-prosperity/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [I suspect that hunger was my mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/i-suspect-that-hunger-was-my-mother/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [He is happy in his wisdom who has learned at another's expense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/he-is-happy-in-his-wisdom-who-has-learned-at-another-s-expense/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [He who dies for virtue does not perish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/he-who-dies-for-virtue-does-not-perish/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [The man who would be fully employed should procure a ship or a woman, for no two things produce more trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/the-man-who-would-be-fully-employed-should-procure-a-ship-or-a-woman/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [If you speak insults you will hear them also.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/if-you-speak-insults-you-will-hear-them-also/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [ No man has perpetual good fortune. \[Lat., Nulli est homini perpetuum bonum.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/no-man-has-perpetual-good-fortune-lat-nulli-est-homini-perpetuum-bonum/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [What you lend is lost; when you ask for it back, you may find a friend made an enemy by your kindness. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/what-you-lend-is-lost-when-you-ask-for-it-back-you-may-find-a-friend/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [Things unhoped for happen oftener than things we desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/things-unhoped-for-happen-oftener-than-things-we-desire/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [“Ut saepe summa ingenia in occulto latent (How often the greatest talents are shrouded in obscurity)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/ut-saepe-summa-ingenia-in-occulto-latent-how-often-the-greatest/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [ You little know what a ticklish thing it is to go to law. \[Lat., Nescis tu quam meticulosa res sit ire ad judicem.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/you-little-know-what-a-ticklish-thing-it-is-to-go-to-law-lat-nescis/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [Modesty should accompany youth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/modesty-should-accompany-youth/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [It is wisdom to think upon anything before we execute it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/it-is-wisdom-to-think-upon-anything-before-we-execute-it/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [A woman smells well when she smells of nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/a-woman-smells-well-when-she-smells-of-nothing/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) [Explore all 259 Plautus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) ## More Expense quotes > [“If a problem can be solved by writing a check, it's not a problem, it's an expense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ziad-k-abdelnour/if-a-problem-can-be-solved-by-writing-a-check-it-s-not-a-problem-it-s/) [Ziad K. Abdelnour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ziad-k-abdelnour/) > [“I will go tell him of Hermia's flight: Then to the wood will he to-morrow night Pursue her; and for this intelligence If I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-will-go-tell-him-of-hermia-s-flight-then-to-the-wood-will-he-to/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [What's funny is funny. It doesn't matter what expense it's at. There are people who don't like that and I understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bianca-del-rio/what-s-funny-is-funny-it-doesn-t-matter-what-expense-it-s-at-there/) [Bianca Del Rio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bianca-del-rio/) > [For most of human history, the main goal of states has been to conquer land and to achieve glory for their rulers, usually at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/for-most-of-human-history-the-main-goal-of-states-has-been-to-conquer/) [Geoff Mulgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/) > [There are any number of very hard working people in Hollywood who deserve recognition. Mostly its the artisans and crafts persons - the 'below…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/there-are-any-number-of-very-hard-working-people-in-hollywood-who/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) > [I understand that in these difficult economic times, the potential for any additional expense is not welcomed by American businesses. But in the long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-locke/i-understand-that-in-these-difficult-economic-times-the-potential-for/) [Gary Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-locke/) > [When I play a game, I want to play, not necessarily laugh. If you try to make me laugh at the expense of interactivity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-tennapel/when-i-play-a-game-i-want-to-play-not-necessarily-laugh-if-you-try-to/) [Doug TenNapel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-tennapel/) > [I think writers have become hypnotised by the number of jokes on the page at the expense of character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwood-schwartz/i-think-writers-have-become-hypnotised-by-the-number-of-jokes-on-the/) [Sherwood Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwood-schwartz/) > [Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/make-no-expense-but-to-do-good-to-others-or-yourself/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [I'm not big on fat jokes. That's a little beneath me. I'm not a huge fan of making a joke - and as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-showalter/i-m-not-big-on-fat-jokes-that-s-a-little-beneath-me-i-m-not-a-huge/) [Michael Showalter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-showalter/) > [Late 19th-century populists saw bankers and industrialists manipulating markets to enrich themselves at the expense of small farmers and labourers and favoured political candidates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-dallek/late-19th-century-populists-saw-bankers-and-industrialists/) [Robert Dallek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-dallek/) > [Well there are those who think you can only succeed at someone else's expense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boy-george/well-there-are-those-who-think-you-can-only-succeed-at-someone-else-s/) [Boy George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boy-george/) > [In law, nothing is certain but the expense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-butler/in-law-nothing-is-certain-but-the-expense/) [Samuel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-butler/) > [..no meal is good enough to justify all the money and effort wasted in preparing it. It is an illusion and an expense. Live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/no-meal-is-good-enough-to-justify-all-the-money-and-effort-wasted-in/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [Nothing is certain in London but expense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shenstone/nothing-is-certain-in-london-but-expense/) [William Shenstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shenstone/) [Browse all 122 Expense quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expense/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "He who seeks for gain, must be at some expense.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Plautus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/he-who-seeks-for-gain-must-be-at-some-expense/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Expense" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/he-who-seeks-for-gain-must-be-at-some-expense/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/632/plautus-1263_quote_he-who-seeks-for-gain-must-be-at-some-ex_1648997.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/632/plautus-1263_quote_he-who-seeks-for-gain-must-be-at-some-ex_1648997.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/632/plautus-1263_quote_he-who-seeks-for-gain-must-be-at-some-ex_1648997.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“He who seeks for gain, must be at some expense.” — Plautus", "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": "Plautus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "He who seeks for gain, must...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/he-who-seeks-for-gain-must-be-at-some-expense/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/he-who-seeks-for-gain-must-be-at-some-expense/#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 } } ] } ```