He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money.
Franklin spots something psychologically acute here: the person who believes money solves all problems has likely already surrendered their own integrity to it—not because money corrupted them, but because they never possessed other anchors to begin with. It's a diagnosis masquerading as an observation. We see this in our own time with executives who rationalize cutting corners for quarterly earnings, convinced the numbers justify the means; they didn't become mercenary because of wealth, but revealed what they always valued. The quote works because it shifts blame from temptation onto character, suggesting that those most vulnerable to corruption were already spiritually hollow.
“Chase the vision, not the money; the money will end up following you.”
Tony Hsieh“It's not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor.”
Seneca“Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver.”
Ayn Rand“Too many people spend money they haven't earned to buy things they don't want to impress people they...”
Will Rogers