Money
by William H. Davies
Rapid Learn 2-Minute Revision
Perfect for last-minute revision
2-Minute Revision Video
Video coming soon
In this simple, thought-provoking poem, William H. Davies reflects on the true value of money and friendship. When the poet had money, he 'knew no joy', for many false friends came 'knocking all day' at his door; he felt uneasy, like a child forbidden to blow a trumpet. Observing life, he notes that poor men's hearts are 'ever light' and their wives 'hum like bees' cheerfully at their work. He hears the poor laugh while the rich 'coldly frown', and concludes that 'poor men need not go up so much as rich men should come down', the rich should learn humility and warmth from the poor. Finally, he contrasts his two states: when he had money, his 'many friends proved all untrue'; but now that he has no money, his friends 'are real, though very few'. The poem gently exposes the futility of materialism and celebrates genuine friendship and the simple happiness of the poor.
Detailed Summary
Detailed Summary Video
Video coming soon
'Money' by William H. Davies is a short, reflective poem contrasting wealth with poverty and false friendship with true. Drawing on his own experience as a wanderer, the poet exposes the emptiness of riches and the value of genuine human bonds.
The burden of riches
When the poet had money, he 'knew no joy'. Many 'false' friends came 'knocking all day' at his door, drawn by his wealth. He felt uneasy and restrained, 'like a child that holds a trumpet that he must not blow', unable to speak freely or expose the falseness of the world around him.
The light hearts of the poor
Reflecting on life, the poet observes how 'poor men's hearts are ever light', and how their wives 'hum like bees' cheerfully about their work from morning till night. The poor, though they have little, are content and full of simple joy.
He hears 'these poor ones laugh' and sees 'the rich ones coldly frown', and concludes that 'poor men need not go up so much as rich men should come down', that is, the rich should learn humility, warmth and contentment from the poor, rather than the poor needing to become rich.
True and false friends
The poem closes by contrasting the poet's two states. 'When I had money,' he says, 'my many friends proved all untrue'; but 'now I have no money… my friends are real, though very few.' The loss of wealth has revealed who his true friends are.
The message is clear: money attracts false friends and cannot buy real happiness or love, while poverty, though hard, reveals genuine friendship and the simple contentment of an honest life.