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About this quote

What does it mean?
Wealth is defined by generosity and impact on others, not by accumulation of possessions.
In plain terms
A rich person is someone who gives, not someone who just has.
What can you take from it?
Generosity defines true wealth more than possessions.

Where it applies

  • philanthropy
  • financial planning
  • moral education

Putting it to work

  • set up a scholarship
  • volunteer time
  • review spending habits

Questions to consider

  • What makes you feel truly rich?
  • How much do you give away?

Another view

People need resources to give effectively, so having some wealth is practical.

More from Erich Fromm

  1. Most people die before they are fully born. Creativeness means to be born before one dies.

    Permalink to quote #87
  2. Sanity is only that which is within the frame of reference of conventional thought.

    Permalink to quote #89
  3. Modern man thinks he loses something - time - when he does not do things quickly; yet he does not know what to do with the time he gains - except kill it.

    Permalink to quote #86

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