--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My main purpose in life is to make enough…" description: "\"My main purpose in life is to make enough money to create ever more inventions…. The dove is my emblem…. I want to save and advance human life, not des..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b0/thomas-a-edison-866_dove_my-main-purpose-in-life-is-to-make-enoug_2985460.jpg" --- # My main purpose in life is to make enough money to create… ![“My main purpose in life is to make enough money to create ever more inventions…. The dove is my emblem…. I want to save and advance human life, not destroy it…. I am proud of the fact that I have never invented weapons to kill….” quote by Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b0/thomas-a-edison-866_dove_my-main-purpose-in-life-is-to-make-enoug_2985460.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b0/thomas-a-edison-866_dove_my-main-purpose-in-life-is-to-make-enoug_2985460.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b0/thomas-a-edison-866_dove_my-main-purpose-in-life-is-to-make-enoug_2985460.jpg) > “My main purpose in life is to make enough money to create ever more inventions…. The dove is my emblem…. I want to save and advance human life, not destroy it…. I am proud of the fact that I have never invented weapons to kill….” [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Edison sees wealth as a means to fund inventions that benefit humanity, rejecting weapon creation. **In simple terms:** Money funds inventions that help people, not kill. Key Takeaway Use earnings to support non‑violent innovation. Themes innovation ethics philanthropy Mood determined hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - research funding - startup financing - charitable giving - policy advocacy Key Concepts human progress responsibility non‑violence Questions to Reflect On - How can wealth be directed toward ethical tech? - What responsibilities do inventors have? A Different Perspective Edison’s view may overlook systemic issues beyond individual wealth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dove/) [Dove Emblem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dove-emblem-474323/) [Emblems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emblems/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Human life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-life/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Innovation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innovation/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Invention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invention/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is/) [Main Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/main-purpose-654311/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Proud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proud/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Purpose In Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose-in-life/) [Purpose Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose-life-231384/) [Purpose of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose-of-life/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons/) ## Related quotes > [I never pick up an item without thinking of how I might improve it. I never perfected an invention that I did not think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/i-never-pick-up-an-item-without-thinking-of-how-i-might-improve-it-i/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [The dove is my emblem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/the-dove-is-my-emblem/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [“Soldiers' main purpose in life is to protect their citizens within their country, and not to fight wars that their leaders as put in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temitope-owosela/soldiers-main-purpose-in-life-is-to-protect-their-citizens-within/) [Temitope Owosela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temitope-owosela/) > [“I believe the main purpose of life is to accept with gratitude what you've been blessed with so that you may use those gifts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/i-believe-the-main-purpose-of-life-is-to-accept-with-gratitude-what/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [Looking at the world today, we might easily forget that the main purpose of our life - you could call it the heart of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/looking-at-the-world-today-we-might-easily-forget-that-the-main/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I am a good person. I like myself the way I am. Many people love and care about me. I have a purpose in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-sales/i-am-a-good-person-i-like-myself-the-way-i-am-many-people-love-and/) [Leila Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-sales/) > [People's purpose in life is always connected to their giftedness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/people-s-purpose-in-life-is-always-connected-to-their-giftedness/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [If you are searching for your purpose in life then you're never going to be satisfied. This life will never satisfy you. You'll never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-teixeira/if-you-are-searching-for-your-purpose-in-life-then-you-re-never-going/) [Mark Teixeira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-teixeira/) > [To desire to be what one can be is purpose in life. There are no exterior forces. There are only interior forces. Who squanders…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-ozick/to-desire-to-be-what-one-can-be-is-purpose-in-life-there-are-no/) [Cynthia Ozick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-ozick/) > [To remain healthy a man must have some goal, some purpose in life that he can respect and be proud to work for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-selye/to-remain-healthy-a-man-must-have-some-goal-some-purpose-in-life-that/) [Hans Selye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-selye/) > [Problems tend to be put into their proper perspective the moment we get off SELF, and on PURPOSE. By choosing your purpose in life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/problems-tend-to-be-put-into-their-proper-perspective-the-moment-we/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [“God created each of us with different traits and characteristics, but regardless of what they may be, know that He made you perfect and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusta-dejuan-hathaway/god-created-each-of-us-with-different-traits-and-characteristics-but/) [Augusta DeJuan Hathaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusta-dejuan-hathaway/) > [The one function that most gods seem to have in common is to give human existence some ultimate purpose - and, while it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-smoker/the-one-function-that-most-gods-seem-to-have-in-common-is-to-give/) [Barbara Smoker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-smoker/) > [I used to believe the purpose in life is to find happiness. I don’t believe that anymore. I believe we are all given gifts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-rivers/i-used-to-believe-the-purpose-in-life-is-to-find-happiness-i-don-t/) [Francine Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-rivers/) > [When you find your purpose in life, nurture it and make it grow so that when you look back you will not regret living…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-m/when-you-find-your-purpose-in-life-nurture-it-and-make-it-grow-so/) [Pamela M](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-m/) ## More by Thomas A. Edison > [We are striking it big in the electric light, better than my vivid imagination first conceived. Where this thing is going to stop Lord…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/we-are-striking-it-big-in-the-electric-light-better-than-my-vivid/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [I will not say I failed 1000 times, I will say that I discovered there are 1000 ways that can cause failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/i-will-not-say-i-failed-1000-times-i-will-say-that-i-discovered-there/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Friendship is the heaven of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/friendship-is-the-heaven-of-life/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Even though I am nearly deaf, I seem to be gifted with a kind of inner hearing which enables me to detect sounds and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/even-though-i-am-nearly-deaf-i-seem-to-be-gifted-with-a-kind-of-inner/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Being busy does not always mean real work. The object of all work is production or accomplishment and to either of these ends there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/being-busy-does-not-always-mean-real-work-the-object-of-all-work-is/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [The very first thing an executive must have is a fine memory. Of course it does not follow that a man with a fine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/the-very-first-thing-an-executive-must-have-is-a-fine-memory-of/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Personally, I enjoy working about 18 hours a day. Besides the short catnaps I take each day, I average about four to five hours…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/personally-i-enjoy-working-about-18-hours-a-day-besides-the-short/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [The brain can be developed just the same as the muscles can be developed, if on will only take the pains to train the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/the-brain-can-be-developed-just-the-same-as-the-muscles-can-be/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [“People who will not turn a shovel full of dirt on the project nor contribute a pound of material, will collect more money from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/people-who-will-not-turn-a-shovel-full-of-dirt-on-the-project-nor/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [When I have fully decided that a result is worth getting I go ahead of it and make trial after trial until it comes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/when-i-have-fully-decided-that-a-result-is-worth-getting-i-go-ahead/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [I remember that I was never able to get along at school. I was at the foot of the class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/i-remember-that-i-was-never-able-to-get-along-at-school-i-was-at-the/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Invention is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/invention-is-10-inspiration-and-90-perspiration/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [There seems to be no limit to which some men will go to avoid the labor of thinking. Thinking is hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/there-seems-to-be-no-limit-to-which-some-men-will-go-to-avoid-the/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Somewhere between the ages of eleven and fifteen, the average child begins to suffer from an atrophy, the paralysis of curiosity and the suspension…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/somewhere-between-the-ages-of-eleven-and-fifteen-the-average-child/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Not only will atomic power be released, but someday we will harness the rise and fall of the tides and imprison the rays of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/not-only-will-atomic-power-be-released-but-someday-we-will-harness/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) [Explore all 345 Thomas A. Edison quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) ## More Dove quotes > [When we went into the ocean, I watched his body as he dove into the waves, and it gave me a feeling in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-krauss/when-we-went-into-the-ocean-i-watched-his-body-as-he-dove-into-the/) [Nicole Krauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-krauss/) > [I've jumped out of an airplane 34 times. I've dove 212 feet under water. I've done a lot of things that defied death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-ventura/i-ve-jumped-out-of-an-airplane-34-times-i-ve-dove-212-feet-under/) [Jesse Ventura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-ventura/) > [It was a spring without voices. On the mornings that had once throbbed with the dawn chorus of robins, catbirds, doves, jays, wrens, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-carson/it-was-a-spring-without-voices-on-the-mornings-that-had-once-throbbed/) [Rachel Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-carson/) > [“The famous and much photographed stepping stones across the River Dove”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-booth/the-famous-and-much-photographed-stepping-stones-across-the-river-dove/) [Stephen Booth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-booth/) > [I was fortunate in the last century to be in the two biggest hits film-wise, 'Godfather I' and 'Godfather II,' and 'Lonesome Dove.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-duvall/i-was-fortunate-in-the-last-century-to-be-in-the-two-biggest-hits/) [Robert Duvall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-duvall/) > [I always liked clothes when I was younger, but I never really dove into it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-lau/i-always-liked-clothes-when-i-was-younger-but-i-never-really-dove/) [Henry Lau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-lau/) > [When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/when-shot-at-the-dove-dove-into-the-bushes/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [I had heard that Robert Duvall was interested in doing 'Lonesome Dove,' and he's one of those actors with whom I'd work on any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-b-sweeney/i-had-heard-that-robert-duvall-was-interested-in-doing-lonesome-dove/) [D. B. Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-b-sweeney/) > [A sign of Celebrations and peace is the dove. You taught me that to have peace one must have love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satyajit-chhotaray/a-sign-of-celebrations-and-peace-is-the-dove-you-taught-me-that-to/) [Satyajit Chhotaray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satyajit-chhotaray/) > [I stopped playing video games, I stopped playing other sports, and I just dove head first into wrestling and it's been my passion ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-owens/i-stopped-playing-video-games-i-stopped-playing-other-sports-and-i/) [Kevin Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-owens/) > [I looked on Jesus and the dove of peace entered my heart. I looked at the dove of peace; and lo...off he went.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/i-looked-on-jesus-and-the-dove-of-peace-entered-my-heart-i-looked-at/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [Were floods of tears to be unloosed In tribute to my grief, The doves of Noah ne'er had roost Nor found an olive-leaf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/were-floods-of-tears-to-be-unloosed-in-tribute-to-my-grief-the-doves/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [Of all trees, I observe God hath chosen the vine, a low plant that creeps upon the helpful wall; of all beasts, the soft…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/of-all-trees-i-observe-god-hath-chosen-the-vine-a-low-plant-that/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [In Washington they have their hawks and doves and in Ottawa we have our parrots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-douglas/in-washington-they-have-their-hawks-and-doves-and-in-ottawa-we-have/) [Tommy Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-douglas/) > [As we're leaving the King's Arms Hotel after Sunday lunch, I watch a beautiful white dove walking down the wet road. A car approaches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-sher/as-we-re-leaving-the-king-s-arms-hotel-after-sunday-lunch-i-watch-a/) [Antony Sher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-sher/) [Browse all 355 Dove quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dove/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My main purpose in life is to make enough money to create ever more inventions…. The dove is my emblem…. I want to save and advance human life, not destroy it…. I am proud of the fact that I have never invented weapons to kill….", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas A. 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