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Swede

(40,100 posts) Sun May 17, 2026, 06:04 PM Sunday

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 Sunday OP

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

Because hording is a sickness Johonny Sunday #11

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

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

Amen, brother. paleotn Sunday #2

Everyone should read popsdenver Sunday #3

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

It has a special place popsdenver Monday #19

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

Demand Nasruddin Monday #12

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

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

I remember that story. Loved Catch 22, read it while I was involuntarily in the Army. surfered Sunday #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 Sunday #7

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

One of my favorite books. MLAA Sunday #9

When you have your health you have everything. mobeau69 Sunday #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 Monday #13

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

Another consideration: wealth undermines compassion pat_k Monday #20

Thanks for that link. progressoid Monday #23

Hits the nail right on the head. SupportSanity Monday #21

GOOD one. EXCELLENT is even better. calimary Monday #22