Quote by Henry David Thoreau
The ways by which you may get money almost without exception lead downward. To have done anything by which you earned money merely is to have been truly idle or worse. If the laborer gets no more than the wages which his employer pays him, he is cheated, he cheats himself.
Summary
This quote suggests that the conventional ways of earning money typically have negative consequences. Engaging in activities solely for monetary gain is seen as idle or detrimental. The quote argues that if a laborer only receives the wages set by their employer, they are being deceived and are also deceiving themselves. It implies that seeking alternative methods of earning money, outside of the typical wage system, is necessary to avoid being cheated or idle. Overall, the quote challenges the traditional notion of money-making and highlights the need for alternative approaches.