The hand that gives is above the hand that takes. Money has no motherland; financiers are without patriotism and without decency; their sole object is gain.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Generosity is superior to taking; financiers are criticized for lacking loyalty and caring only about profit.
- In plain terms
- Giving is better than taking, and some money people care only about gain.
- What can you take from it?
- Prioritize giving and loyalty over pure profit.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Do profits always trump ethics?
- How do you measure loyalty in business?
Another view
Not all financiers lack patriotism or decency.
More from Napoleon Bonaparte
Waterloo will wipe out the memory of my forty victories; but that which nothing can wipe out is my Civil Code. That will live forever.
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