When you ain’t got no money, you gotta get an attitude.

The line captures a streetwise survival logic: when material resources are scarce, a person may rely on posture, bravado, humor, or defiance—“attitude”—as a substitute form of power. In Pryor’s comedic universe, that attitude is both armor and performance: it protects dignity in the face of poverty while also signaling toughness to others who might exploit vulnerability. The quote also hints at a critique of social inequality: if money buys security and respect, then those denied it must manufacture another currency—confidence, swagger, or sharp wit—to navigate daily life. It’s funny, but it points to a real psychological strategy for enduring deprivation.