Alan Watts

Alan Watts

Interpreter of Eastern philosophies.

A British writer and speaker known for his interpretations of Eastern philosophy for Western audiences. His works on topics such as Zen Buddhism, Taoism, and the nature of reality have introduced many to Eastern thought. Watts explored the interconnectedness of life and the nature of consciousness, often using humor and accessible language to make complex spiritual concepts relatable. His insights into the nature of existence and the self continue to inspire and inform contemporary spirituality.

Alan Watts Quotes about Money

  • If you say that getting the money is the most important thing, you'll spend your life completely wasting your time. You'll be doing things you don't like doing in order to go on living, that is to go on doing thing you don't like doing, which is stupid.
  • What we have forgotten is that thoughts and words are conventions, and that it is fatal to take conventions too seriously. A convention is a social convenience, as, for example, money ... but it is absurd to take money too seriously, to confuse it with real wealth ... In somewhat the same way, thoughts, ideas and words are "coins" for real things.
  • What would you like to do if money were no object? How would you really enjoy spending your life?
  • So many people of wealth understand much more about making and saving money than about using and enjoying it. They fail to live because they are always preparing to live.
  • The reason we have poverty is that we have no imagination. There are a great many people accumulating what they think is vast wealth, but it's only money... they don't know how to enjoy it, because they have no imagination.
  • Just as money is not real, consumable wealth, books are not life. To idolize scriptures is like eating paper currency.
  • What would you do if money was no object?