It put our energies
â
It put our energies to sleep and made visionaries of us
dreamers and indolent...
It is good to begin life poor;
it is good to begin life rich
these are wholesome;
but to begin it prospectively rich!
The man who has not experienced it cannot imagine the curse of it.
â
Meaning
This quote means expecting future wealth without yet possessing it can weaken character by encouraging laziness, fantasy, and passivity. Deferred riches can be a curse.
About Author
Mark Twain
Mark Twain, born Samuel Clemens, was an American author and humorist known for classics like Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. His quotes often reflect wit, social critique, and human insight. Twain inspires writers, readers, and social thinkers to explore human nature, challenge conventions, and communicate ideas with humor and intelligence.
Related Quotes
â Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn't. â
This quote means truth can surpass fiction because reality is not limited by plausibility. The world can be stranger than imagination.
â Few of us can stand prosperity. Another man's, I mean. â
This quote means people often think they could handle wealth easily, but what usually bothers them most is seeing someone else enjoy it. Envy is harder to bear than prosperity.
â A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval. â
This quote means peace with yourself is necessary for real comfort in life. Outer ease depends on inner approval.