Poverty is the step-mother of ...

Poverty is the step-mother of genius.
 Josh Billings

Quotes from the same author

Wisdom has never made a bigot, but learning has.
 Josh Billings
I don't care how much a man talks, if he only says it in a few words.
 Josh Billings
I called my cat William because no shorter name fits the dignity of his character. Poor old man, he has fits now, so I call him Fitz-William.
 Josh Billings
Be kind to your mother-in-law, but pay for her board at some good hotel.
 Josh Billings
There never yet was a mother who taught her child to be an infidel.
 Josh Billings