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About this quote

What does it mean?
Wealth and freedom do not guarantee contentment, and commerce can undermine honor.
In plain terms
Money and freedom dont ensure happiness, and business can hurt honor.
What can you take from it?
Material success does not ensure happiness or honor.

Where it applies

  • evaluating success
  • economic policy
  • ethical business

Putting it to work

  • measure well-being beyond wealth
  • protect honor
  • balance commerce

Questions to consider

  • What builds lasting contentment?
  • Can commerce and honor coexist?

Another view

Economic growth can also create opportunities for honor.

More from Oliver Goldsmith

  1. Such is the patriot's boast, where'er we roam, His first, best country ever is, at home.

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  2. Man seems the only growth that dwindles here.

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  3. Where'er I roam, whatever realms I see, My heart untraveled fondly turns to thee; Still to my brother turns with ceaseless pain, And drags at each remove a len…

    Permalink to quote #16

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