The meek shall inherit the earth, but not its mineral rights.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
They defend their errors as if they were defending their inheritance.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?.
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
There is a strange charm in the thoughts of a good legacy, or the hopes of an estate, which wondrously removes or at least alleviates the sorrow that men would otherwise feel for the death of friends.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
In the division of inheritance, friendship stands still.
—Dutch Proverb
You may not be able to leave your children a great inheritance, but day by day, you may be weaving coats for them which they will wear for all eternity.
—Theodore L. Cuyler (1822–1909) American Presbyterian Clergyman, Writer
Come for your inheritance and you may have to pay for the funeral.
—Yiddish Proverb
Die and endow a college or a cat.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
He who comes for the inheritance is often made to pay for the funeral.
—Yiddish Proverb
Enjoy what thou hast inherited from thy sires if thou wouldst really possess it.—What we employ and use is never an oppressive burden; what the moment brings forth, that only can it profit by.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
The graveyards are full of young lawyers, lost inheritance and young doctors.
—French Proverb
To get to know a friend, you must share an inheritance with him.
—German Proverb
In times of change, learners inherit the Earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
The king inherits a country—the people only hard work.
—African Proverb
The patient is not likely to recover who makes the doctor his heir.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
But thousands die without or this or that, die, and endow a college, or a cat: To some, indeed, Heaven grants the happier fate, Tenrich a bastard, or a son they hate.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
A good name is a second inheritance.
—German Proverb
Those in supreme power always suspect and hate their next heir.
—Tacitus (56–117) Roman Orator, Historian
A person can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
I have also seen children successfully surmounting the effects of an evil inheritance. That is due to purity being an inherent attribute of the soul.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
We pay for the mistakes of our ancestors, and it seems only fair that they should leave us the money to pay with.
—Don Marquis (1878–1937) American Humorist, Journalist, Author
All heiresses are beautiful.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
One does not jump, and spring, and shout hurrah! at hearing one has got a fortune, one begins to consider responsibilities, and to ponder business; on a base of steady satisfaction rise certain grave cares, and we contain ourselves, and brood over our bliss with a solemn brow.
—Charlotte Bronte (1816–1855) English Novelist, Poet
People don’t have fortunes left them in that style nowadays; men have to work and women to marry for money. It’s a dreadfully unjust world.
—Louisa May Alcott (1832–88) American Novelist
The finest inheritance you can give to a child is to allow it to make its own way, completely on its own feet.
—Isadora Duncan (1877–1927) American Dancer, Choreographer
Depend upon it, the first universal characteristic of all great art is Tenderness, as the second is Truth. I find this more and more every day: an infinitude of tenderness is the chief gift and inheritance of all the truly great men. It is sure to involve a relative intensity of disdain towards base things, and an appearance of sternness and arrogance in the eyes of all hard, stupid, and vulgar people
—John Ruskin (1819–1900) English Writer, Art Critic
What madness it is for a man to starve himself to enrich his heir, and so turn a friend into an enemy! For his joy at your death will be proportioned to what you leave him.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Men sooner forget the death of their father than the loss of their patrimony.
—Niccolo Machiavelli (1469–1527) Florentine Political Philosopher
The meek shall inherit the earth, but not its mineral rights.
—J. Paul Getty (1892–1976) American Art Collector, Philanthropist, Businessperson
He who inherits a penny is expected to spend a dollar.
—German Proverb
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