"It's not what you pay a man, but what he costs you that counts"

This quote by Will Rogers is a reminder that cash is not the only factor to think about when examining the cost of something. It is very important to consider the total cost of an individual or thing, not just the amount of money paid. This includes the expense of time, energy, and resources that are used to get and maintain the individual or thing. For instance, if you pay a high wage to a staff member, but they are not efficient or require a great deal of guidance, then the overall expense of that employee is much higher than the income alone. This quote is a pointer to consider the overall expense of an individual or thing, not simply the amount of money paid.