---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is not that pearls fetch a high price…"
description: "\"It is not that pearls fetch a high price because men have dived for them; but on the contrary, men have dived for them because they fetch a high price...."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffd/richard-whately-3892_contrary_it-is-not-that-pearls-fetch-a-high-price_1549042.png"
---

#  It is not that pearls fetch a high price because men have…

![“It is not that pearls fetch a high price because men have dived for them; but on the contrary, men have dived for them because they fetch a high price.” quote by Richard Whately](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffd/richard-whately-3892_contrary_it-is-not-that-pearls-fetch-a-high-price_1549042.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffd/richard-whately-3892_contrary_it-is-not-that-pearls-fetch-a-high-price_1549042.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffd/richard-whately-3892_contrary_it-is-not-that-pearls-fetch-a-high-price_1549042.png)

> “It is not that pearls fetch a high price because men have dived for them; but on the contrary, men have dived for them because they fetch a high price.”

[Richard Whately](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-whately/)

## About This Quote

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

People pursue valuable things because they are valuable, not because the value is created by the pursuit.

**In simple terms:** Value drives desire, not the other way around.

Key Takeaway

Recognize true value before chasing it.

Themes

value motivation economics

Mood

reflective analytical

Type

philosophical economic motivational

When to use this quote

- investment decisions
- career choices
- collecting
- resource allocation

Key Concepts

intrinsic worth human behavior incentives

Questions to Reflect On

- What truly makes something valuable?
- Do you chase value or the perception of value?

A Different Perspective

The quote assumes rational valuation, ignoring status or speculative bubbles.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[High prices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-prices/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/)

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