Gold Quote by Thomas More
““They wonder much to hear that gold which in itself is so useless a thing, should be everywhere so much esteemed, that even men for whom it was made, and by whom it has value, should yet be thought of less value than this metal. That a man of lead, who has no more sense than a log of wood, and is as bad as he is foolish, should have many wise and good men to serve him, only because he has a great heap of that metal...””
About This Quote
Source Book: Utopia by Thomas More, 1516
The quote critiques society’s overvaluation of wealth, suggesting that material riches can elevate incompetent leaders while diminishing truly wise individuals.
In simple terms: Wealth can distort value and power.
Key Takeaway
Question the true worth of leaders beyond money.
Themes
power
wealth
leadership
justice
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- corporate governance
- personal ambition
- economic policy
Key Concepts
materialism
social hierarchy
value perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How does wealth influence our perception of competence?
- What qualities should truly define a leader?
A Different Perspective
Wealth does not guarantee wisdom or moral authority.
