Question

Who said that "The lack of money is the root of all evils"?

• A. Robertson
• B. Keynes
• C. R.B. Trescot
• D. George Bernard Shaw

Hint:

To remember:
- The traditional biblical quote targets greed: "The love of money is the root of all evil."
- Shaw's reversed quote targets poverty: "The lack of money is the root of all evil."

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
In classical literature and general discourse, money is often discussed in terms of its social, moral, and economic impacts on human behavior.
Various philosophers, writers, and economists have commented on the social consequences of wealth and poverty.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The quote "The lack of money is the root of all evils" was written by the Irish playwright and essayist George Bernard Shaw.
It first appeared in his 1903 play Man and Superman and was later discussed in the preface to his 1905 play Major Barbara.
Shaw was a socialist who argued that poverty—the structural lack of money and resources—is the primary cause of crime, moral decay, and social suffering.
His quote plays on the traditional biblical phrase "the love of money is the root of all evil" (1 Timothy 6:10).
Shaw reversed this phrase to emphasize that poverty and deprivation, rather than the desire for wealth itself, drive individuals to commit crimes and cause societal harm.
Let us analyze the other options:
- D.H. Robertson and John Maynard Keynes were prominent economists who analyzed the monetary and macroeconomic functions of money, but did not write this literary quote.
- R.B. Trescot was an American diplomat and historian, not associated with this quote.
Therefore, George Bernard Shaw is the author of this statement.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The statement was made by George Bernard Shaw, matching Option (D).