“Don’t think money does everything or you are going to end up doing everything for money.”
– Voltaire
When it comes to balancing life goals and finances, it’s easy for people to place more importance on money than it is worth. A lot of people think that money will solve all of their problems, and that it’s the key to success.
However, this line of thought is dangerous – when you believe that money is the solution, then everything that you do will be in pursuit of money, when the effort would be better spent in pursuit of your passions, the people you love, and the values that drive you. In other words, be wary of putting the cart before the horse.
Check out some of our other quotes
Related Reading: Voltaire and Emerson agree on the limits of wealth — explore why money often costs too much.
What Voltaire’s Money Quote Really Means
The line attributed to Voltaire — “Don’t think money does everything or you are going to end up doing everything for money” — is a warning about priorities. Money is a tool, not a destination. When you treat wealth as the answer to every problem, you risk reorganizing your whole life around chasing it, often at the expense of relationships, health, and purpose. The smarter read is to let money serve your goals instead of becoming the goal itself.
Who Was Voltaire?
Voltaire (1694–1778) was the pen name of François-Marie Arouet, a French Enlightenment writer and philosopher famous for his wit and his defense of civil liberties and free thought. His sharp one-liners on money, power, and human nature are still quoted centuries later because they cut straight to the point.
More Money Quotes That Put Wealth in Perspective
Voltaire is far from alone in cautioning against worshiping wealth. A few timeless money quotes make the same case:
- “Money often costs too much.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
- “Money is a good servant but a bad master.” — commonly attributed to Francis Bacon
- “It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor.” — Seneca
Explore the idea further with Emerson on why money often costs too much, the reminder that money is a great servant but a bad master, Henry Ford on how money doesn’t equal independence, Ayn Rand’s view that money is only a tool, and the point that having money isn’t everything, but not having it is.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Voltaire’s money quote mean?
It means money should stay a means, not an end. If you assume money solves everything, you can end up sacrificing your time, values, and passions just to earn more of it.
Did Voltaire really say this about money?
The quote is widely attributed to Voltaire and reflects his skeptical, witty view of wealth and human nature, though as with many old quotations the exact wording varies across sources.
What are some other good money quotes about priorities?
Classics include Emerson’s “Money often costs too much” and the saying that money is “a good servant but a bad master” — both echo Voltaire’s warning to keep wealth in its place.
For more on Voltaire’s life and ideas, see Britannica’s profile of Voltaire.
