money like manure, does no good (till|until) it is spread
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used to suggest that accumulating wealth is not enough, and that one must put it to use in order to achieve positive outcomes, emphasizing the importance of using financial resources effectively
The proverb "money like manure, does no good till it is spread" is often attributed to the 17th-century English writer and philosopher, Francis Bacon. It draws a comparison between money and manure, which is animal waste used as fertilizer to enrich the soil. The saying suggests that just as manure is useless if kept in a pile but beneficial when spread, wealth has no real value unless it is used effectively. It emphasizes that accumulating wealth alone does not lead to success or improvement; it must be applied in meaningful ways to create positive outcomes. It encourages the idea that financial resources should be invested or shared in ways that contribute to growth and development.
- The philanthropist believed that money was only valuable if it was used to help others because, as the saying goes, money like manure, does no good till it is spread.