---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is good for a student to be poor…"
description: "\"It is good for a student to be poor. Getting and spending, the typical American college student lays waste his powers. Work and contemplation don't mix..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1c/russell-kirk-6909_college_it-is-good-for-a-student-to-be-poor-gett_996264.jpg"
---

#  It is good for a student to be poor. Getting and spending…

![“It is good for a student to be poor. Getting and spending, the typical American college student lays waste his powers. Work and contemplation don't mix, and university days ought to be days of contemplation.” quote by Russell Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1c/russell-kirk-6909_college_it-is-good-for-a-student-to-be-poor-gett_996264.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1c/russell-kirk-6909_college_it-is-good-for-a-student-to-be-poor-gett_996264.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1c/russell-kirk-6909_college_it-is-good-for-a-student-to-be-poor-gett_996264.jpg)

> “It is good for a student to be poor. Getting and spending, the typical American college student lays waste his powers. Work and contemplation don't mix, and university days ought to be days of contemplation.”

[Russell Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-kirk/)

## About This Quote

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

He argues that poverty can protect students from material distractions, allowing focus on contemplation rather than consumption.

**In simple terms:** Poverty helps students focus on thought, not spending.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize contemplation over material pursuits.

Themes

education poverty contemplation materialism

Mood

reflective critical

Type

philosophical advice

When to use this quote

- college life
- financial planning
- academic focus

Key Concepts

philosophy economics psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- How does financial security affect your learning?
- Can contemplation thrive without scarcity?

A Different Perspective

Material comforts can also enable intellectual growth.

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