You know, I’ve always been struck by that line, “Some people are so poor…” It’s one of those quotes that hits you differently the more you think about it. It perfectly captures the idea that true wealth isn’t just in your bank account, but in the richness of your life. It’s a powerful reminder that money alone can’t buy happiness or fulfillment.
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Meaning
At its core, this quote is a paradox. It suggests that a person can be materially rich but spiritually, emotionally, and socially bankrupt. Their poverty isn’t a lack of money, but a profound lack of everything that *actually* makes life worth living.
Explanation
Let me break it down a bit. I’ve seen this play out in my own work with entrepreneurs. You meet someone who’s a “success” on paper, right? They’ve got the car, the house, the portfolio. But they’re isolated. Their relationships are transactional. They have no real hobbies, no passion, no sense of community or purpose beyond the next deal. That’s the poverty Coelho is talking about. It’s an internal emptiness that no amount of external wealth can fill. The money becomes a hollow metric for a life that’s fundamentally… lacking. It’s a cage, not a crown.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | Portuguese (369) |
| Category | Wealth (107) |
| Topics | emptiness (2), values (51), wealth general (30) |
| Literary Style | witty (99) |
| Emotion / Mood | serious (155) |
| Overall Quote Score | 86 (262) |
Origin & Factcheck
This one comes straight from Paulo Coelho’s 2008 novel, The Winner Stands Alone. It’s often misattributed online to Bob Marley or other philosophical figures, but its true home is in Coelho’s exploration of the super-rich at the Cannes Film Festival. So, it’s a 21st-century observation from a Brazilian author, born from a story about the glittering, often dark, world of fame and fortune.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Paulo Coelho (368) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | The Winner Stands Alone (55) |
| Origin Timeperiod | Contemporary (1615) |
| Original Language | Portuguese (369) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Paulo Coelho(1947) is a world acclaimed novelist known for his writings which covers spirituality with underlying human emotion with a profound storytelling. His transformative pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago inspired his breakthrough book, The Pilgrimage which is soon followed by The Alchemist< which went on to become the best seller. Through mystical narratives and introspective style, Paulo Coelho even today inspires millions of people who are seeking meaning and purpose in their life
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Some people are so poor that all they have is money |
| Book Details | Publication Year: 2008 (Brazil); ISBN: 978-0-06-175044-1; Latest Edition: Harper Perennial 2009; 368 pages. |
| Where is it? | Approximate page 110, Chapter: The Poverty of Wealth |