"The darkest hour in any man's life is when he sits down to plan how to get money without earning it"

This quote by Horace Greeley highlights the moral predicament that lots of individuals deal with when they are desperate for money. The "darkest hour" describes a time of excellent struggle and trouble, when an individual is willing to compromise their worths and stability in order to get wealth. Greeley suggests that this is a low point in an individual's life, as they are forced to confront their own greed and dishonesty. By emphasizing the act of "preparation" to get cash without making it, Greeley suggests that this is a purposeful and calculated choice, rather than a desperate last option. Eventually, this quote acts as a cautionary pointer of the repercussions of prioritizing material gain over ethical principles.