"Money is human happiness in the abstract; he, then, who is no longer capable of enjoying human happiness in the concrete devotes himself utterly to money"
- Arthur Schopenhauer
About this Quote
This quote by Arthur Schopenhauer suggests that money is a replacement for human happiness. He indicates that when people are unable to find pleasure in life, they turn to cash as a method to fill the void. This is due to the fact that money is a representation of abstract joy, and it can be used to buy product items that bring people pleasure. Schopenhauer suggests that when individuals are not able to discover joy in life, they become dedicated to cash and the pursuit of it. This is since cash is a way to fill deep space of not having real human happiness. Money can be used to acquire products that bring people enjoyment, but it can not replace the delight of real human connection. For that reason, Schopenhauer suggests that money ought to not be the main focus of life, as it can not replace the delight of genuine human happiness.
"The man who makes everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the very best plan for living happily. This is the man of moderation, the man of manly character and of wisdom"
"Given the choice, children who don't want for anything will not save... We have an obligation as parents to give our children what they need. What they want we can give them as a special gift, or they can save their money for it"