Filthy Lucre
💸 Filthy lucre - Money acquired by dishonorable means. First found in St. Paul’s Epistle to Titus (1:11), where he critiques those who teach falsehoods “for filthy lucre’s sake.” The term later came to ironically signify money in general, even if earned honestly. Over time, people have seemingly connected fewer scruples to their riches, rendering the phrase less commonly heard today.
Synonyms 🤑
- Ill-gotten gains
- Blood money
- Tainted wealth
- Spoils of vice
Antonyms 💎
- Clean money
- Honest earnings
- Righteous revenue
- Pure profits
Related Phrases & Proverbs 📜
- “Dirty money” - Money obtained through illegal or unethical means, like narcotics sales or corruption.
- “Greed is a bottomless pit” - A German proverb pointing out that greed is never-ending.
- “Money can’t buy happiness” - Emphasizing the soul’s needs versus material desires.
- “Money is the root of all evil” (another St. Paul reference) – Suggesting that obsession with money can lead to immoral activities.
Literary & Pop Culture Connections 📚
- Book: “The Devil’s Banker” by Christopher Reich – A tale of high stakes and dirty money.
- Movie: “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” – Two con men’s hilarious race to acquire filthy lucre.
- Song: “Mo Money Mo Problems” by The Notorious B.I.G. – Examining how money complicates life.
Humor-Filled Quotes 🤣
- “Money can’t buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.” – Anonymous
- “Some people are so poor, all they have is money.” – Patrick Meagher
Inspirational Thought 🧠: Wealth is like seawater: the more we drink, the thirstier we become. It’s the value we place on our scruples that determines the true worth of our riches.
### Which phrase also means dishonest money?
- [x] Tainted wealth
- [ ] Clean profits
- [ ] Righteous revenue
- [ ] Honest earnings
> **Explanation:** Tainted wealth refers to money that has been gained in a dishonorable or morally questionable manner, strikingly similar to filthy lucre.
### True or False: The term 'filthy lucre' can be traced back to the Bible.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True. The term 'filthy lucre' originates from St. Paul's Epistle to Titus (Titus 1:11), where it criticizes those who are motivated by dishonest gain.
### Synonym for 'filthy lucre' that implies illegal gain
- [x] Blood money
- [ ] Honest earnings
- [ ] Righteous revenue
- [ ] Clean money
> **Explanation:** Blood money typically refers to money gained through unscrupulous means, sharing a similar connotation with filthy lucre.
### Which is not a related phrase to 'filthy lucre'?
- [ ] Dirty money
- [ ] Tainted wealth
- [ ] Spoils of vice
- [x] Pure profits
> **Explanation:** Pure profits suggest earnings made through honest and morally acceptable methods, unlike filthy lucre, which implies disgraceful means.
Farewell Thought ♒: Reflect on how you amass wealth. Remember, in the grand treasury of life, virtues are the true currency that never devalues.
Happy learning, E. Thical Coincount
