A flattened coin purse with a brass clasp rests on folded green cloth beside a copper coin.

Original artwork, not a still

Mr. Potter

No securities, no stocks, no bonds. Nothin' but a miserable little $500 equity in a life insurance policy. You're worth more dead than alive.

— It's a Wonderful Life ‧ 1946

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

This is a cold, mocking appraisal of someone's finances. The speaker lists what the listener lacks, no securities, stocks, or bonds, and points to a small life insurance equity. The bitter conclusion is that the person is worth more dead than alive, judging a life purely in money.

Context reviewed

Share this quote