You know, Napoleon Hill really nailed it when he said “Every human being who reaches the age of understanding… wishes for it.” It’s not just about wanting cash; it’s about that moment you realize money is a tool for freedom.
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Meaning
The core message here is that the desire for money is a universal and natural awakening, not a sign of greed. It kicks in the moment we truly comprehend its power to shape our lives.
Explanation
Let me break this down for you. Hill isn’t talking about a toddler wanting a dollar for the candy aisle. No. He’s pointing to that pivotal moment in your life—maybe in your late teens or early twenties—when the abstract concept of “money” suddenly crystallizes into a concrete understanding of its purpose. You realize it’s not just paper; it’s the key to security, to experiences, to providing for your family, to, frankly, not being stuck. It’s the fuel for your ambitions. And once that switch flips, the wish for it becomes as fundamental as the wish for food or shelter. It’s a tool, and you’ve just learned what it can build.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Wealth (107) |
| Topics | desire (15), money (27), motivation (113) |
| Literary Style | factual (11) |
| Emotion / Mood | calm (491) |
| Overall Quote Score | 69 (33) |
Origin & Factcheck
This quote comes straight from Napoleon Hill’s 1937 classic, Think and Grow Rich, published in the United States. It’s a cornerstone of the self-help and personal development genre. You sometimes see this sentiment misattributed to other motivational figures, but its home is firmly in Hill’s seminal work.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Napoleon Hill (84) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Think and Grow Rich (37) |
| Origin Timeperiod | Modern (530) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) wrote influential books on achievement and personal philosophy. After interviewing industrialist Andrew Carnegie, he spent years studying the habits of top performers, which led to The Law of Success and the classic Think and Grow Rich. Hill taught and lectured widely, promoting ideas like the Master Mind, definite purpose, and persistence. He collaborated with W. Clement Stone and helped launch the Napoleon Hill Foundation to preserve and extend his teachings. His work continues to shape self-help, entrepreneurship, and success literature.
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Every human being who reaches the age of understanding of the purpose of money wishes for it |
| Book Details | Publication Year: 1937; ISBN: 978-1-59330-200-9; Latest Edition: 2020; Number of Pages: 320 |
| Where is it? | Chapter 2: Desire, Approximate page from 2020 edition: 34 |