Characters
I plan to have character one day, great character, but if you want to be rich you better get the money before the scruples set in.
— Richard

Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
A frank, cynical bit of scheduling: the speaker will get around to having character later, but scruples are treated as an obstacle to wealth. The joke is timing your conscience, saying you should collect the money first, before ethics show up and slow you down.
Context reviewed