Anthony de Mello Quotes

Everyone needs a certain amount of money. Beyond that, we pursue money because we know how to obtain it. We don't necessarily know how to obtain happiness.

Wealth is a means to an end, not the end itself. As a synonym for health and happiness, it has had a fair trial and failed dismally.

Wealth, taste and leisure can bring many things but they do not bring happiness.

Wealth and Content are not always Bed-fellows.

It's pretty easy to see that... wealth doesn't really equal happiness.

Money and good life had never been my goal.

There are many people in the world who feel that if only they had a bigger car, a nicer house, better vacations, a more understanding boss, or a more interesting partner, then their life would work. We all go through that one. Slowly we wear out most of our 'if onlies.'

I never had ambitions to see how rich I could get. I got a lot of contemporaries that that's their ambition, and I don't know very many of them that are happy.

Many exceedingly rich men are unhappy, but many middling circumstances are fortunate.

Being rich and miserable has got to be better than poor and unhappy.

Wealth hath never given happiness, but often hastened misery.

Being rich and thin isn't everything.

I was talking to a businessman, and I said, Don't you think most men are little boys? And he said, I'm no little boy! I make seventy-five thousand dollars a year. And I said, Well, the way I look at it - you just have bigger toys.

What is wealth to me if I cannot enjoy it?

I used to think that having many material things would increase one's stock of happiness. I found that to be completely untrue. The trappings don't make the man at all.

I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer.

I don't have to have the biggest house or the biggest car or the longest mink, but quality of life is really glamorous.

...thinking all this maximalism would somehow generate happiness?

Guys, just remember, if you get lucky, if you make a lot of money, if you get out and buy a lot of stuff--it's gonna break. You got your biggest, fanciest mansion in the world. It has air conditioning. It's got a pool. Just think of all the pumps that are going to go out. Or go to a yacht basin any place in the world. Nobody is smiling, and I'll tell you why. Something broke that morning. The generator's out; the microwave oven doesn't work . . . Things just don't mean happiness.

Money is the most envied, but the least enjoyed. Health is the most enjoyed, but the least envied.

Happiness seems to require a modicum of external prosperity.

Good health, longevity, happiness, a loving family, self-reliance, fine friends … if you [have] five, you’re a rich man….

But most Canadians have recognized to a greater or lesser extent that despite much of the so-called progress of the affluent society, essential ingredients to a meaningful life seem to be either entirely lacking, or at best, difficult to grasp.

Money doesn't buy happiness. But happiness isn't everything.

You always hear the phrase, money doesn't buy you happiness. But I always in the back of my mind figured a lot of money will buy you a little bit of happiness. But it's not really true. I got a new car because the old one's lease expired.