Bertrand Russell Quotes

We think we own things, but the reality is, our things own us.

A lot of people are obsessed with their possessions, but that's not right. It's OK to own a lot of things as long as you're willing to share them.

I felt I was owned by possessions.

In our rich consumers' civilization we spin cocoons around ourselves and get possessed by our possessions.

I already own more than any human being needs.

Earthly goods are given to be used, not to be collected.... Hoarding is idolatry.

As adults, if our top priorities are constantly directed toward the acquisition of more and better worldly goods, it will not take long to increase our love in those directions. The purchase of a larger house or a nicer car or a more expensive boat may cause us to sacrifice our resources and develop an unwise love for these symbols of success and pleasure. We learn to love that which we serve, and we serve that which we love.

Anything you cannot relinquish when it has outlived its usefulness possesses you, and in this materialistic age a great many of us are possessed by our possessions.

I don't like to attach myself to material things.

We are not the sum of our possessions.

The more we have the less we own.

People like their handbag more than their sofa, and I hate it.

The world says: "You have needs - satisfy them. You have as much right as the rich and the mighty. Don't hesitate to satisfy your needs; indeed, expand your needs and demand more." This is the worldly doctrine of today. And they believe that this is freedom. The result for the rich is isolation and suicide, for the poor, envy and murder.

The more you own, the more it owns you.

Too often, a vast collection of possessions ends up possessing its owner.

Whoever dies with the most stuff wins.

Oh, I wish I were a miser; being a miser must be so occupying.

It all depends on whether you have things, or they have you.

Avarice has ruined more souls than extravagance.

Long as I was riding in a big Cadillac and dressed nice and had plenty of food, that's all I cared about.

When you first get money, you buy all these things so no one thinks you're mean, and you spread it around. You get a chauffeur and you find yourself thrown around the back of this car and you think, I was happier when I had my own little car! I could drive myself!

The more money an American accumulates, the less interesting he becomes.

As human beings, we're very materialistic and have all this stuff - furs and cars and diamonds and money.

We go on multiplying our conveniences only to multiply our cares. We increase our possessions only to the enlargement of our anxieties.

I go through life accumulating possessions... I've always done it... and then, every once in a while, a sort of tidal wave comes along and washes them all away.