Tuesday, January 06, 2009

"For money you can have everything it is said. No, that is not true. You can buy food, but not appetite; medicine, but not health; soft beds, but not sleep; knowledge but not intelligence; glitter, but not comfort; fun, but not pleasure; acquaintances, but not friendship; servants, but not faithfulness; grey hair, but not honor; quiet days, but not peace. The shell of all things you can get for money. But not the kernel. That cannot be had for money."

-Arne Garborg, writer (1851-1924)


stolen shamelessly from the Word A Day email

9 comments:

Kwana said...

So true. Thanks.

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

In other words, if you're an aficionado of avenaceous pursuits, you can have your oats but not eat it.

Sabina E. said...

Yep, money can't buy happiness... period.

Remember that 90s movie "Richie Rich" with Macaulay Culkin? When he tried to buy friendships... hhahahaha

lmao

JES said...

I checked Arne Garborg's name online in various places. (A couple of his books are available via Google Books.)

But I'll tell ya -- if my only legacy a hundred years from now was something like that nugget, I'd know my life had been well-spent.

Thanks for posting it! (It demonstrates well why some of us answered your recent "Why are you here?" poll the way we did.)

Kristin Laughtin said...

Wow, that's an amazing quote.

Jim Lamb said...

It amazes me that so many quotes from the past are timeless and will remain current forever.

Steve Stubbs said...

Wow, what a quote. Thanks for sharing.

It is obvious to me money buys happiness (ever try to buy happiness with poverty?) But I was shocked when John Travolta lost his son recently. I did not realize it at the conscious level, but I always assumed tragedy was only for the poor or for those rich people who get caught, like Jeff Skilling and Bernard Madoff. Apparently even in a world of mansions, vacation homes, and private jets life can still be a struggle.

That doesn't mean I would turn it down if I win the lotto tonight, though.

Dal Jeanis said...

Deep quote. Guy didn't know where to shop, though.

You can get a lot of those for a 10% tithe and some time spent loving and helping people.

Of course, appetite and sleep you buy with hard physical exercise.

Liana Brooks said...

I love this quote, thank you!