“Money never stays with me: it would burn me if it did. I throw it out of my hands as soon as possible, lest it should find a way into my heart.”
Below is the letter that John Wesley wrote to his sister, Martha Hall, a.k.a. “Patty,” in which this quote is found in its entirety.
To his sister, Mrs. Martha Hall.
Kingswood, October 6, 1768.
Dear Patty,
You do not consider, money never stays with me: it would burn me if it did. I throw it out of my hands as soon as possible, lest it should find a way into my heart. Therefore you should have spoken to me while I was in London, and before Miss Lewen’s money flew away. However, I know not but I may still spare you £5, provided you will not say, ‘I will never ask you again,’ because this is more than you can tell; and you must not promise more than you can perform.
O how busy are mankind! and about what trifles! Things that pass away as a dream. Vanity of vanities, all is vanity, but to love and serve God.
I am, Dear Patty, Your ever affectionate brother.
John Wesley (1703-1791) in Letters of John Wesley, eds. George Eayrs and Augustine Birrell, 66.