Money

What is money?
In a laissez-faire society, uncrippled by government bureaucrats, money is a symbol of man's unspent production, that has yet to be consumed. Money is a tool of exchange that allows men to trade goods and services that they have produced in a market economy. When money has been earned (as opposed to looted, stolen, and begged) it is a sign of material and spiritual greatness.

When is money a sign of greatness?
Observe that being "rich" is not a sign of greatness, if one has not earned it -- to assume otherwise is to reverse cause and effect, as those men who achieve their wealth by plunder and political pull (government favors) attempt to do.

What is money a symbol of when it has been earned?
Money is the physical symbol of man's successful use of his mind in the area of production -- whose success is essential to the support of his life. How can this be the root of evil? It cannot. In truth, money is not the root of all evil, but is the root of all good.


Suggested Reading: See Francisco's Money Speech in Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged (pages 387-392 PB).