"Behind every great fortune lies a great crime" said Honore de Balzac. Do you believe this? Well, if we are just talking about millions worth of wealth then perhaps it is not a result of Godfather-like mafia activities. It's pretty common to earn that amount these days. But if we are talking about billions and trillions, would you believe this is all just a result of pure hard work and persistence?
I think the quote means something must have been done, sacrificed, or oppressed to acquire such unrealistic amount of fortune. How can one have so much? Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that people haven't earned their fortunes and privileges. In fact, I do believe that a great % of us have really earned what we have through hard work. There's just a small % of people in this world who have great fortunes anyway. A small % of those who can get away with things because of the power and influence they get due to their wealth. And truth be told, some of them have to break the law (tax evation, modern slavery, human exploitation, etc.) or take advantage of unethical laws in order to get to that criminially rich level.
I believe that money is not evil. Wealth is good. What is evil is what we become when we have too much (a.k.a. greed) and won't stop. And some people will do anything to have more at the expense of others. But what for?
I don't have a filthy rich background but I'm okay. I feel grateful. There are more people around me who are in worst situations. Now should I blame them? Let us not even get to the argument of freewill because our perspective is relative to our reality. For example, most people in the west think you are a product of your own choices. Or that if you work hard enough, you will get to the top. This can be true if you factor in good starting conditions and choices on hand. There's still a part of me that does not totally believe this so-called American Dream BS based on the reality I'm in. For example, there are people who have unfortunate starting conditions, lost their possessions to natural disasters and calamities, or have no access to free education, so social mobility will never be easy for them. This is one of the main reasons I don't buy that self-help values or motivational wealth talk shit. There are some things beyond our control. My Gawd, we can even die anytime and lose it all.
My friend asked me if I want to be super wealthy. I said that I want to work on having wealth to the point that I can move swiftly, do things freely and without worry. And most importantly, live the best of life. But I don't have to have too much because I can't really say if I will be the same person. I'm already diabolical now what more when I've become filthy rich. I wouldn't trust my darkness when I get to that level. But some people out there don't mind and that's on them.
If you've earned your wealth and privileges decently, then by all means, be damn proud of it. Go around and inspire people. I don't give a shit what you do with it actually. And if you feel like you haven't really earned things in your life, then I don't care either. Just don't bother me or come to me for validation. Or go around on your high horses shoving your 'ill-gotten' wealth into other people's faces. Or pity other people for their circumstances or obsess about poverty porn during your holiday just to make you feel safe. I know this type very well by now. Just have a bit of humility in there at least. Why still go to great lengths for validation?
Your beliefs and social conditioning might hinder you from seeing the root cause of things. So we can't go around blaming other people for their circumstances. And for sure, we shouldn't look down on them or anything. Or thrive off their unfortunate situations just to make ourselves feel grateful and safe. As I see it, most of the privileged and wealthy people I've gotten to know feel poor inside anyway. We choose our own cage.
I don't condemn money or wealth. I do feel inspired if others have become successful or have earned everything they have through decent hard work. And I have high respects for these people. Most of the privileged and wealthy friends I know in real life are mostly humble. And I do think that their good values helped in getting where they are right now. Being a good human being does help.
"I wouldn't trust my darkness when I get to that level."
Haha I have wondered about myself. I like to think I'm a decent enough person but I have some dark impulses that I might be tempted to follow if I had billions of dollars to make them happen. Maybe we all do though. I have yet to meet anyone I'd fully trust with that kind of money. lol
I think I have a tendency to not stop and acquire more. This is why I don't gamble lol, there's this adrenaline rush I get as I win more. It'd be the same for wealth.
I think so too.
I think you're right. Its more about the getting than about the having. Right?
I wasn't sure which brain to follow with this post... my brain downstairs or upstairs or my heart. I will just go with my heart. Wealth is entrusted to us to use in our very short life span. When we look honestly at ourselves we know there is something good we can do with it.
There's truth in there!
-Love for humanity kills greed and selfishness! Those people who see money as lord are the ones who know nothing but to acquire and to possess..never get contented for what they have had in their hands..they always crave for more because of greed..and worst never think to share..and their money become their weapon to do more unlawful things, not everyone but there are some! Beautiful photo you have there!!! Have a blessed day!❤🌷!
#dreemer
Truth!
Awww thanks ! 😊
Ah, you are back to writing! Very nice.
I think you have inspired another post from me. This is why I enjoy reading inspirational people.
Mindset is everything in my opinion. You can either be enslaved by your circumstances or freed by it. I would like to say the choice is yours but that is only dependant on if we meet people that seek to free us.
I have met people in life that are truly shackled down by their circumstances and poor lot in life and everything they have made in life; friends, money, work, all seeks to reinforce this standard.
Ultimately the choice is theirs whether they opt to take the brave new world or not, but they at first need to be shown it first.
That's the real problem I think. A lot of people beat the self-help motivational drum and go an about people make their own choices. But you can only say that you have made your own choice if a better life has been shown to you.
And even then it's not as clear cut haha.
Anyway, I digress. Nice post :)
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You mean I'm back to writing this type of post ? haha.
I do agree. I think it all starts with the mindset. Some people don't and CAN'T even have a certain kind of mindset. I think that if I didn't choose to work on my own education, I will not even have this kind of mindset. But yes, I had a choice and strong willpower early on. I had set my mind to achieve things and turn my life around based on my circumstances. But for some people, I do feel like they have few choices and opportunities. And have not been exposed to what kind of mindset to have. But had I been born in a different place or environment, I will just be like them. And I doubt we will even have this kind of conversation right now.
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True. It is mentally taxing to think about other things especially if one is in survival mode. So if we want poor people to care about the environment, politics and other stuff, maybe we should have them meet their basic needs first or get past the first level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs first.