Chinese Proverbs on Money
September 11, 2009 by BizMind
Filed under Money Talks
I like to share these Chinese proverbs to all my readers here in Entrepinoy Bank. I got this from the column of Ms Flor G. Tarriela in Manila Bulletin. Ms Tarriela is the chairman of Phil National Bank. She was formerly Undersecretary of Finance and the first Filipino lady vice president of Citibank N.A.
These Chinese proverbs are a good reminder to put money in its proper perspective in our life. Money can usually act as “oxygen to our lives”, and certainly has a “calming effect”, but it is not the answer to everything.
“Money can buy you a house, but it can’t buy you a home
Money can buy you a cloak, but not time
Money can buy you a bed, but it can’t give you sleep or peace of mind
Money can buy you a book, but not knowledge or wisdom
Money can pay for a doctor, but it can’t buy you good health
Money can buy you blood, but it can’t give you life
Money can even buy you rank or position, but not respect
Money can buy you sex but not love.”
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I’ve read this so many times and each time I read it, I have the same reaction. While money may not be the answer to everything, it certainly affects just about everything in our lives and this so called Chinese proverb somewhat promotes a scarcity mentality. For example, it says “Money can buy you a house, but it can’t buy you a home”. But if you have no money to buy or rent a house to begin with, you won’t have a place to call home unless you would like to live on a sidewalk somewhere.
It says “Money can buy you a cloak, but not time” yet most people spend so much time working hard instead of working smart which actually gives you more time to do the essential things in life like spending precious time with family and loves ones.
It says “Money can buy you a bed, but it can’t give you sleep or peace of mind”. Would you have peace of mind and be able to sleep if you have no money to buy food for your loved ones? Think about it…