“If women didn’t exist, all the money in the world would have no meaning.”
-Aristotle Onassis
You know, he’s right. This goes not only in the psychological value for guys wanting to make money simply to be the breadwinner of the house, but let’s face it, women are the main purchasers of the home as well.
This can be a good thing and a bad thing, and marketers have started catching on that women are the ones who go out and buy needed items for the household; food, clothing, random necessities. What guy do you know who will willingly throw away socks AND go purchase new ones without at least a few comments on their hole-y sad state of affairs? Not many.
Even when my dapper guy gets holes in his socks, I’m the one who ends up throwing them away and getting new pairs.
If you like quotes like this one, consider checking out one of our other quotes.
The Meaning Behind Aristotle Onassis Quotes About Money
Aristotle Onassis, the Greek shipping magnate who became one of the wealthiest people of the twentieth century, was known for blunt, memorable lines about money, ambition, and what makes wealth worth having. His observation that “if women didn’t exist, all the money in the world would have no meaning” is really a statement about a deeper idea: money is a means, not an end. Wealth only matters in relation to the people and experiences we value. You can read more about his life and career in the Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Why the Quote Still Resonates
Strip away the era it was spoken in and the lesson is timeless: accumulating money for its own sake is hollow. The point of building wealth is the freedom, security, and relationships it can support. That is why this Onassis line keeps circulating alongside other reflections on money and purpose. If you enjoy it, explore how other thinkers framed the same tension in the George Bernard Shaw money quote and the Henry Ford quote on money and independence.
Turning the Lesson Into a Money Habit
The practical takeaway is to define what your money is for before you chase more of it. Tie your saving and investing to specific goals — time with family, generosity, or peace of mind — rather than a number on a screen. For more perspective, see why Ayn Rand called money only a tool, how Francis Bacon described money as a good servant but a bad master, and Nelson Mandela’s reminder that money won’t create success.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aristotle Onassis Quotes
What is Aristotle Onassis’s most famous quote about money?
One of his best-known lines is, “If women didn’t exist, all the money in the world would have no meaning.” It captures his view that wealth has value only in relation to the people and experiences it serves, not as an end in itself.
Who was Aristotle Onassis?
Aristotle Onassis (1906–1975) was a Greek shipping tycoon who built one of the world’s largest privately owned fleets and became famous for his immense fortune and high-profile personal life. His remarks about money and ambition are still widely quoted today.
What is the lesson of the Onassis money quote?
The core lesson is that money is a means rather than an end. Wealth matters because of the freedom, relationships, and experiences it makes possible, which is why defining your purpose for money is more important than simply accumulating it.
