15 Famous Quotes About Gold

Much has been written and said about the subject of precious metals and its pursuit by humans. Many have spoken about the joy and splendour of acquiring precious metals like silver and gold. Still, others have spoken about the futility of material pursuits and its lifelong obsession by its pursuers. In this section, we explore 15 quotes about gold that could possibly tickle our intellect.

1. “Don’t gain the world and lose your soul; wisdom is better than silver and gold” – Bob Marley

In this quote, famous reggae singer-songwriter Bob Marley reminds us about the futility of chasing material things and alludes to the fact that knowledge and wisdom is far more precious an asset than man’s love for silver and gold. Source: Brainyquote.com.

2. “It’s health that is real wealth, not pieces of gold and silver” – Mahatma Gandhi

Freedom fighter and champion of peace and non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi was an international personality, famous for his philosophy and frugal living. Indeed, this thought process is quite apt. People who ignore their health and focus only on building wealth, may not be able to enjoy the fruits of their labour, once their health breaks down. Source: Sparkpeople.com

3. “Gold medals aren’t really made of gold. They’re made of sweat, determination and a hard-to-find alloy called guts.” – Dan Gable

Former American freestyle wrestler and coach Dan Gable talks about the real ingredients required inside a human being to win a gold medal. With greater introspection, we realise that it isn’t just the gold medals won in a tournament that he is referring to. It’s every achievement in life, and nothing good comes easy. Source: Goodreads.com

4. “All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost.” – J. R. Tolkien

This is an old saying, which simply reiterates the old maxim that everything isn’t always what it appears to be. It is taken from a poem written by Tolkien for the book – The Lord of the rings. Source: Wikipedia.

5. “Truth, like gold, is to be obtained not by its growth, but by washing away from it all that is not gold.” – Leo Tolstoy

Tolstoy applies the principle used by gold diggers during the gold rush, where gold was sifted from river beds and dirt and gravel washed away. In the same way, the truth emerges once all other possibilities are considered and ruled out. Source: Supanet.com

6. “Fire is the test of gold; adversity, of strong men” – Martha Graham

Martha Graham was an American dancer and choreographer. The quote refers to the laboratory practice of removing impurities and base metals from gold by heating it up to 1100 degrees to extract 24k gold for conversion into gold bars and gold coins. Graham uses the comparison to say that winners come out stronger during tough times. Source: Quotefancy.com

7. “But in truth, should I meet with gold or spices in great quantity, I shall remain till I collect as much as possible, and for this purpose, I am proceeding solely in quest of them” – Christopher Columbus

Indeed, Christopher Columbus, the great Spanish conquistador echoes the sentiment of the explorers – to amass untold wealth and carry it back to their country. Source: izquotes.com

8. “Everything has its limit – iron ore cannot be educated into gold” – Mark Twain

Mark Twain, the great American novelist reminds us that people can be educated and empowered, but everyone’s own innate ability has limitations. Beyond that limit, no amount of empowerment is beneficial, in the same way, that alchemists failed to turn base metals into gold, although they tried for centuries. Source: Setquotes.com

9. “Praise, like gold and diamonds, owes its value only to its scarcity” – Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson was an English writer and a poet. The writer compares praise to precious metals and concludes that praise when showered frequently, loses its value. It is valuable only when scarce, just like gold and silver. Source: quodid.com

10. “The most pitiful among men is he who turns his dreams into silver and gold” – Kahlil Gibran

Gibran, the award-winning Lebanese-American author speaks about the futility of chasing riches for a lifetime, instead of enriching themselves. Source: wishafriend.com

11. “Brass shines as fair to the ignorant as gold to the goldsmiths” – Elizabeth I

The Tudor queen, Elizabeth I, daughter of Henry VIII ruled England from 1558 – 1603. This period was known as the Elizabethan era and the country prospered greatly. She was a visionary and successful ruler and is quoted frequently. Here she implies that things that have no value seem otherwise to ignorant people, in the same way, that a seasoned goldsmith recognises gold instantly. Source: quotes.yourdictionary.com

12. “Commodities such as gold and silver have a world market that transcends national borders, politics, religions, and race. A person may not like someone else’s religion, but he’ll accept his gold” – Robert Kiyosaki

Robert Kiyosaki is an American businessman and author. He has authored 26 books, including a personal finance bestseller called ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad’. In this great quote, Kiyosaki establishes the timelessness of gold and its appeal across the world. The universal value of gold and other precious metals are recognised by people who come from different cultures and every walk of life. Gold is of course insulated from political uncertainty as savvy investors move their investments to gold in order to escape market volatility caused by geo-political forces. Source: Goldsilver.com

13. “The desire of gold is not for gold. It is for the means of freedom and benefit” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerson was an American lecturer, philosopher and poet who lived in the 19th century. In this visionary quote, he equates the acquisition of wealth to personal freedom and the means to pursue whatever is desired. Indeed, most gold investors invest in precious metal with this end in mind. Source: Novascotiagold.ca

14. “The desire for gold is the most universal and deeply rooted commercial instinct of the human race” – Gerald M. Loeb

Gerald M. Loeb was an American stockbroker and investment guru who founded E. F. Hutton & Co., a well-known Wall Street brokerage company. Forbes magazine called him ‘the most quoted man on Wall Street.’ In this quote, Loeb alludes to the human instinct of wealth accumulation, which motivates and energises everyone. Investors take every opportunity to amass wealth whenever the opportunity presents itself. Source: Marketslant.com

15. “Gold is a treasure, and he who possesses it does all he wishes to in this world and succeeds in helping souls into paradise” – Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus, the explorer believes that gold can be a solution to all desires and can empower humans to do anything in the world, including saving their souls. Gold, he believes has the power of the heavens. Of course, we must remember that Columbus had been given a task by the Spanish king – to amass wealth and return. Source: azquotes.com

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