Friends and good manners will carry you where money won't go.

The words, “Friends and good manners will carry you where money won’t go,” come from the wise and eloquent Margaret Walker, the American poet, novelist, and scholar whose voice rose with dignity from the struggles and hopes of her people. In this simple yet profound saying, Walker reveals a truth that transcends all ages and nations: that character and connection—not wealth or status—are the true passports through the gates of life. Where gold cannot open a heart, kindness can; where power cannot command loyalty, friendship can. Her words, gentle in form yet mighty in spirit, remind us that riches may buy comfort, but only grace and fellowship can earn respect, trust, and love.

To the ancients, as to Walker, virtue was wealth’s highest form. The philosopher’s robe and the poet’s pen both declared the same truth: that money, though useful, is a poor companion to the soul. Good manners, in their truest sense, are not empty courtesies but the outward expression of inner respect—the art of honoring others as one would wish to be honored. And friendship, born of sincerity and warmth, is a treasure that multiplies not through possession but through sharing. Together, these qualities build bridges where wealth builds walls, and open doors that no coin can unlock.

History, too, bears witness to this truth. Consider Abraham Lincoln, born in a log cabin with little more than his integrity and compassion to guide him. He had no great fortune, no noble blood, yet his good manners and steadfast friendships lifted him from obscurity to greatness. Lincoln’s humility, his patient listening, his respect for all—friend and foe alike—earned him allies where money would have failed. Even in the bitter days of war, men who disagreed with him could not help but admire his courtesy and goodness. His story is the living proof of Walker’s wisdom: grace wins hearts where wealth cannot.

Walker’s words also speak against the false glitter of the modern age, where many mistake wealth for worth. She reminds us that prosperity without decency is emptiness dressed in silk. Money can purchase influence, but it cannot command affection. It can open doors to palaces, but not to hearts. When storms come—when fortunes vanish, and power fades—it is not wealth that remains, but the hands of those who love us, and the peace that comes from having lived with honor. For friendship and courtesy, like light and fragrance, cannot be bought; they must be freely given and sincerely lived.

And yet, these virtues are not ornaments to be displayed—they are disciplines of the soul. To cultivate friendship, one must give of oneself: time, patience, and loyalty. To practice good manners, one must master humility and restraint, remembering always that respect is the foundation of every human bond. These qualities require no coin, only intention. And in their practice, one discovers something richer than any treasure: the power to make others feel seen, valued, and at peace in one’s presence.

There is also deep courage in Walker’s teaching. In a world that often measures success in wealth and status, to live by kindness is an act of quiet rebellion. To honor others without motive, to treat the humble and the mighty alike, to choose grace over greed—this is the way of the truly noble soul. Those who live thus may not always prosper in gold, but they will prosper in love, in reputation, and in the invisible currency of goodwill that outlasts all fortunes.

So, my child, let this wisdom be your guide: seek not only to be rich, but to be gracious; not only to have many possessions, but to have many friends. Where money builds towers that crumble, friendship builds homes that endure. Where wealth seeks advantage, manners seek harmony. Let your words be kind, your heart sincere, your actions respectful, and your friendships faithful. For these are the true riches of life—the wealth that neither time nor fate can steal.

In the end, Margaret Walker’s words shine like a lantern in the darkened world of pride and greed. Friends and good manners—these are the companions that walk beside you when fortune turns her face away. They open doors that gold cannot touch, and lead you to the highest places of the heart: love, peace, and human dignity. So walk with grace, speak with kindness, and hold fast to those who walk with you in truth. For in doing so, you will discover what the wise have always known—that the richest life is not measured in what one owns, but in how one loves.