Money is the root of all good
December 20, 2007 | by brett | Permalink
Francisco d’Anconia, a wealthy industrialist and fictional character in Ayn Rand’s book Atlas Shrugged, dispels the phrase “money is the root of all evil” over a lengthy narrative. Although it is hard to narrow down my favorite excerpt, I found this paragraph to have enough of an entertaining, stand alone meaning to share.
“Money is your means of survival. The verdict you pronounce upon the source of your livelihood is the verdict you pronounce upon your life. If the source is corrupt, you have damned your own existence. Did you get your money by fraud? By pandering to men’s vices or men’s stupidity? By catering to fools, in hope of getting more than your ability deserves? By lowering your standards? By doing work you despise for purchasers you scorn? If so, then your money will not give you a moment’s or a penny’s worth of joy. Then all the things you buy will become, not a tribute to you, but a reproach; not an achievement, but a reminder of shame. Then you’ll scream that money is evil. Evil, because it would not pinch-hit for your self-respect? Evil, because it would not let you enjoy your depravity? Is this the root of your hatred for money?”
Ayn Rand’s book, Atlas Shrugged, would make a great last second X-Mas gift.
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Steve Says:
December 21st, 2007
I have seen this firsthand. I know a couple that received all of their “fortune” from illegal activities. They lived high on the hog - for a while. But it caught up with them and now face jail time. There are no shortcuts to making money. I agree that money earned by fraud does not even have value. The phrase “money is the root of all evil,” has long been a misquote from the Bible. The actual verse states that it’s the LOVE of money that is the root of all evil. Money is good - but an out of proportion LOVE for money will drive you mad.
Eric Says:
December 21st, 2007
Steve,
You beat me to it. I think Ayn Rand touches on an important point in he quote, but it falls short for me a bit.
The Bible addresses the issue that if a man “loves” money, it is an idol, then it is the root of many kinds of evil, but not all.
1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
The point in the scripture is that a man’s love for money can cause him to wander away from his faith in Christ. It is walking away from Christ that causes all kinds of evil.
So Ayn is right in the sense that it is not money itself that is evil. Jesus speaks about money a lot in the Bible and knows it is important.
There, done with my sermon. 
Have a great holiday Brett and the PTP gang. Onto new things in 2008!
Zach Says:
December 24th, 2007
Money is a means, it’s not an end. The root of the evil that this discussion references is greed and excess. The desire to use more than you produce is unhealthy and selfish. Money is not the root of this, but the tool used to exploit said desire. It is this confusion that has taught us to value money over production, or what we have rather than what we provide.
Many who have read “Atlas Shrugged” view it as a tribute to modern capatalism and the power of the almighty dollar. The story is meant to support the utilitarian ideals that are the foundation of our free market, the exchange of goods in a free market on an equal playing field. The book chastises those who manipulate the system, using loopholes and power to take more than they deserve and earn an inequitable profit from the sweat of another mans brow.
Look at our economy as a bank… It can only yeild as much as is produced. The question we all have to ask ourselves is, will we put in as much as we take out?
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