“The use of money is all the advantage there is in having it.”
- January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790
- American
- Polymath, Founding Father of the United States, Inventor, Diplomat, Writer
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Quote
“The use of money is all the advantage there is in having it.”
Explanation
In this quote, Benjamin Franklin asserts that money’s true value lies not in possessing it, but in how it is used. The phrase “all the advantage” emphasizes that mere accumulation of wealth offers no benefit unless it serves a purpose. For Franklin, who viewed money through the lens of utility and prudence, wealth should be a means to achieve practical goals, not an end in itself.
This idea fits neatly into Franklin’s broader philosophy, which combined thrift, industriousness, and moral purpose. In Poor Richard’s Almanack, he frequently cautioned against hoarding wealth or valuing riches for their own sake. His concern was not with money as a symbol of power or status, but with its ability to support independence, generosity, and civic contribution when used wisely.
In the modern world, this quote challenges consumerism and the pursuit of wealth for prestige alone. A large bank account unused or misused is of little value. Franklin reminds us that financial resources are tools, and their worth is realized only through investment, spending, or sharing in ways that enhance life—our own and that of others. Wealth unused is wealth wasted.
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