"Gambling with cards or dice or stocks is all one thing. It's getting money without giving an equivalent for it"

Henry Ward Beecher's quote is a warning versus the risks of gambling. He is saying that gambling, whether it be with cards, dice, or stocks, is basically the same thing: getting cash without providing anything of equivalent value in return. Beecher is warning against the temptation of betting, as it can result in monetary destroy. He is highlighting that gaming is a form of taking a danger with money, which the bettor may not always come out ahead. He is also suggesting that gaming is a kind of taking advantage of others, as the gambler is not providing anything of equal value in return for the money they are getting. Beecher's quote is a suggestion that gambling can be a hazardous and expensive activity, and that it ought to be avoided.