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Swede

(40,150 posts) Sun May 17, 2026, 06:04 PM May 17

154

Kurt Vonnegut tells a story about Joseph Heller's lesson to him about greed. [View all]

I posted this once before, but it's always relevant, with you know who haunting the world right now.

“JOE HELLER

True story, Word of Honor: Joseph Heller, an important and funny writer now dead,
and I were at a party given by a billionaire on Shelter Island.

I said, “Joe, how does it make you feel to know that our host only yesterday
may have made more money than your novel ‘Catch-22’ has earned in its entire history?”
And Joe said, “I’ve got something he can never have.”
And I said, “What on earth could that be, Joe?”
And Joe said, “The knowledge that I’ve got enough.”
Not bad! Rest in peace!”
― Kurt Vonnegut

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7345831-joe-heller-true-story-word-of-honor-joseph-heller-an

23 replies

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Highlight:

Kurt Vonnegut tells a story about Joseph Heller's lesson to him about greed. [View all] Swede May 17 OP

My brother-in-law said this a few weeks ago. ananda May 17 #1

Because hording is a sickness Johonny May 17 #11

Their motto is "Only too much is ever enough." TheRickles May 18 #14

It is not the answer that enlightens but the question. twodogsbarking May 18 #15

Amen, brother. paleotn May 17 #2

Everyone should read popsdenver May 17 #3

Thanks for recommendation. Title (for us book nerds/library users)is one word, "jailbird." Timeflyer May 18 #17

It has a special place popsdenver May 18 #19

Thanks for this. My daughter calls it "enoughonomics." ancianita May 17 #4

Demand Nasruddin May 18 #12

Please explain "demand for demand." I was just passing along my daughter's label for basic needs and minimal wants. ancianita May 18 #18

I think prosperity begins with generosity and that is why Trump has to continue his grifts while he is Maraya1969 May 17 #5

I remember that story. Loved Catch 22, read it while I was involuntarily in the Army. surfered May 17 #6

I was young when I read, Catch 22, but that book had a profoiund affect on me, might have turned me from simple ShazamIam May 17 #7

I think that feeling made the TV show Mash so popular surfered May 17 #8

One of my favorite books. MLAA May 17 #9

When you have your health you have everything. mobeau69 May 17 #10

Perfect! Thank you for sharing this. I read and re-read my Kurt Vonnegut books. In "A Man Without A Country" one chapter KitFox May 18 #13

I told my daughter when she was in middle school Danmel May 18 #16

Another consideration: wealth undermines compassion pat_k May 18 #20

Thanks for that link. progressoid May 18 #23

Hits the nail right on the head. SupportSanity May 18 #21

GOOD one. EXCELLENT is even better. calimary May 18 #22