Most people would like to be rich, yet rich individuals are often disliked by the majority. While we are captivated by the luxurious lifestyles of the rich, we simultaneously resent them and may even secretly wish misfortune upon them. Although we love our creature comforts, openly discussing the desire for wealth is seen as impolite or inappropriate. No great man or movement in history has ever succeeded without money (or power – which provides access to money); but we are often led to believe that our brains have been rewired and programmed by indoctrination, social conditioning, and brainwashing to give up our dreams, aspirations, and ideals, and focus on acquiring as much money as we can. All the pieces of the puzzle (money, taxes, fees, debt, slavery, news, political parties, secret societies, religions, etc.) are part of a great design, collectively upheld for one single reason - control. Money is the most effective means of control that the masters have invented to corrupt humans and turn them into dogs, barking and biting each other for their piece of bone.
There is evidence for the presence of “money” from 5,000 years ago. Before that, the use of barter-like methods might go back 100,000 years, though a society never relied completely on a barter system. Non-monetary societies operated mostly along the principles of gift economy and debt servicing. Many cultures around the world eventually developed the use of commodity money. According to Herodotus, the Lydians were the first people to introduce the use of gold and silver coins as money. Paper money or banknotes were first used in China during the Song Dynasty. Banknotes were first issued in Europe by Stockholms Banco in 1661 alongside coins. After World War II and the Bretton Woods Conference, most countries adopted fiat currencies that were fixed to the US dollar, which was in turn fixed to gold. In 1971, the U.S. government suspended the convertibility of the US dollar to gold. Most of the world currencies are still directly or indirectly linked to the US dollar.
When we think of money, it appears to be linked with the pursuit of material possessions, luxury, and security. While these aspects might be important for some people, the reality is that the value of money extends beyond materialism. It provides a safety net, shielding us from the uncertainties of life while allowing us to meet our basic needs of food, shelter, and healthcare. Our peace of mind doesn’t necessarily come from the quantity of money but from knowing how to effectively manage our finances, and live within our means. Knowing that we have the resources to meet unexpected expenses or tackle unanticipated emergencies, contributes significantly to our well-being. Money also equates to personal freedom and independence in the sense that it enables individuals to make choices that align with their values and aspirations. With financial resources, we can pursue education, travel, start a business, or even retire early. Wealth literally gives us the ability to fully experience life.
A substantial portion of human endeavour is actually driven by the desire for growth. People seek more food, more clothing, better shelter, more comfort, more beauty, more knowledge, and more pleasure — growth somehow connects to more life. Every living being feels this persistent need to progress; when this impulse ceases, dissolution and death might follow. We know this subconsciously, and that is why we always seek more. Therefore, please do not watch vlogs that tell you that the world is coming to an end, or entertain prophecies of miserable mystics who proclaim that we are all going to hell. Money enables us to have an abstract existence, without which our essence would not have the same chances of development. We can secure an island of subjectivity in a metaphysical sense, because money removes the direct contact with things, making it easier for us to select what we require from them. The desire for riches is actually a desire for a more affluent, fuller, and abundant life. The person who does not desire to live more abundantly is unusual. The individual who does not desire to have enough money to buy all that he desires, may not be living to his full potential.
No religion condones unbridled greed, obscene wealth, and nefarious methods of earning, but they do not teach that money is always bad
Aristotle presents the 'ethics of greatness' when discussing the virtues of magnificence and magnanimity. Magnificence focuses on the responsible and meaningful spending of great wealth. This involves investing in beautiful, and tasteful projects, especially those that benefit the public, such as religious sanctuaries or communal entertainment. However, in a society that values equality, such gestures are often misunderstood as displays of arrogant excess. This perception may be flawed, as political conservatives frequently argue that industry and entrepreneurship contribute positively to society, and that honestly earned wealth should not be a source of shame. Nonetheless, material wealth undeniably grants opportunities available only to a select few. The truly civic-minded individual should view this privilege as a responsibility. Prosperity should not be stigmatised; rather, the wealthy should embrace their duty to use their resources virtuously. Aristotle’s ideal offers a compelling and refreshing alternative to modern rhetoric surrounding wealth and its societal implications.
Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) argued that value is an intellectual construct created by individuals. Humans assign value to various aspects of life, such as human life, relationships, and material goods, but these values are often arbitrary and subjective. With the advent of currency, money has become a medium through which diverse values are exchanged. Because human intellect is pragmatic, it depends on concepts to comprehend reality. Money, therefore, functions as both a tool for understanding the world and a means of facilitating transactions. It represents the practical connection between humans and their desires, encapsulating both their power and limitations.
In contrast, Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) diverges sharply from socialist evaluations by asserting that only the quality of humanity holds significance. For Nietzsche, the value of an era is determined by its greatest exemplar, whereas socialism focuses on the widespread distribution of desirable conditions and values. Money’s fluidity fosters a democratic ethos, prioritising everyday experiences and individual contributions over extraordinary or superhuman achievements. It has become central to shaping modernism, influencing how individuals perceive and engage with the world in a pragmatic, instrumental, and objective manner.
No religion condones unbridled greed, obscene wealth, and nefarious methods of earning, but they do not teach that money is always bad. In Hinduism, there are four goals in life with a view to attaining Moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth). The road to Moksha requires three practices: Kama (pleasure and enjoyment), Dharma (righteousness, good deeds, and duty), and Artha (material wealth and prosperity). When we have money, we can fully enjoy life and help other people. In Buddhism, money is not evil, but close attachment to family, friends, and possessions (including money) is discouraged, as these are predictable pitfalls for never leaving Samsara (the rebirth cycle). In the same way that Hindus believe Artha is necessary to Dharma, Buddhists maintain that wealth acquisition is acceptable so long as it is redistributed and used morally.
There is nothing wrong with being affluent in Judaism. As mentioned in Deuteronomy (8:18), “But remember the Lord; for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” Jews were never forbidden from moneylending, which is why they historically took on the role of bankers and loan providers. While Leviticus (19) allows landowning and wine manufacturing, it also advises Jews to leave a portion of their property “for the poor and the stranger.” Christianity proclaims, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” However, the law of perpetual increase in the parable of the talents says, “For to him who produces more, more will be given, and he will have an abundance; but from him who produces not, even what he has will be taken away.” The Catholic Church today has over $3 billion in financial assets and immeasurable wealth. It seems God gives wealth and (in some Protestant strains) it’s rewarded to those who work hard.
Wealthy individuals, regardless of gender, often feel a heightened sense of entitlement, which may lead them to pursue more attractive prospects outside their relationships.
Given it is the latest of the three Abrahamic religions, it is unsurprising that Islam has similarities with Judaism and Christianity regarding money. Wealth is not bad in itself (ḥarām) but can be ill-gotten (mal-ḥarām), ill-spent (tabdhir), or misused on pointless things (israf). The Qur’an states, “Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world,” but advises, “Let not your riches or your children distract you from the remembrance of Allah.” Equally, it warns that people who are poor because of a lack of effort; will be raised with black-faces on the Day of Judgement. One of the “Five Pillars of Islam” is known as Zakat; the compulsory almsgiving, where all Muslims must keep giving away a portion of their wealth.
Money creates a paradox though: it unites people through trade and work while granting individuals the freedom to define themselves beyond their professions. By abstracting the value of goods into a universal measure, money detaches individuals from the specifics of their labour and lifestyle, fostering a sense of independence but also a greater reliance on others' contributions. This phenomenon extends beyond capitalist economies to trade-based systems like socialism. Socialism, as a reaction to the impersonal nature of money, sought to eliminate individual isolation and promote communal equality. Yet, as Simmel (1900) observed, socialism's ideals are inherently contradictory - striving for familial bonds while erasing the individuality that gives relationships meaning.
The emphasis on rationality and intellect considered the most valuable mental faculties in modern life, aligns with the rise of a money-based economy. While this economic model fosters knowledge accumulation, it also contributes to alienation and a lack of enduring values. The pursuit of fashion exemplifies this: individuals yearn for absolute value, but constant changes render personal styles fleeting. Money acts as a temporary bridge between individuals and society, providing a sense of stability amidst constant change. In essence, money embodies the transient nature of values and the dynamic nature of the world. The universe is in a state of perpetual flux, with physical and social systems constantly evolving into new and unfamiliar forms. Human civilisation has gradually adapted to this reality, and money serves as a constant reminder of the ever-changing nature of both the world and our values.
When F. Scott Fitzgerald said, “The rich are different from you and me.”, Ernest Hemingway is supposed to have responded, “Yes, they have more money.” Nonetheless, their wealth depends more on their attitudes, behaviours, and habits around money than their earning capacity, talent, and fame. Rich people think of business, life, and earning as a game; a game they love to win. This is the reason why millionaires still go to work every day chasing their next success. Money for them is a gauge that tells them when they have achieved their latest target. According to Siebold (2010), the excitement of this game pushes them to continually raise their level of expectation; the more excited they get, the harder they work and the more they succeed. While the wealthy believe that money can solve problems and purchase peace of mind, the middle class sees money as a never-ending necessary evil, and the masses think they aren’t worthy of having great wealth.
A team of six German economists and psychologists conducted a study involving 130 wealthy individuals to develop a psychological profile of the rich, comparing their traits with those of the general population. The researchers found that wealthy individuals were emotionally more stable, extraverted, open to new experiences, less conflict-averse, and more conscientious. Additionally, the rich were identified as more narcissistic, nonconformist, and prone to making major decisions based on intuition. They also tended to attribute setbacks to themselves rather than external circumstances or other people. Another study published in Frontiers in Psychology (2016) highlighted how greater wealth can affect relationship satisfaction, particularly about a partner's appearance. Furthermore, wealthy individuals, regardless of gender, often feel a heightened sense of entitlement, which may lead them to pursue more attractive prospects outside their relationships.
A study found that people’s sense of well-being plateaued when they earned $75,000, but new research has found no leveling-off effect
Skills needed to get wealthy (ambition, optimism, drive) can become liabilities when you need to stay wealthy (where you need patience, paranoia, and saving). A researcher at the University of Minnesota did a series of experiments that demonstrated that money isolates people as they want freedom from dependents, work alone, and are in general less helpful to others. Other studies have associated higher incomes with higher levels of stress, increased likelihood of divorce, and less enjoyment of minor activities. Ed Diener, a researcher who has spent over 30 years studying wellbeing, highlights that a higher income may mean more work, less leisure time, and fewer strong social connections.
In 2006, Gallup asked a representative sample of American adults whether they strongly wished to be rich, and most responded that they did not. Two years later, the Pew Research Centre posed a similar question to another representative group, with only 13% indicating that being rich was “very important” to them. However, by 2022, the Harris Poll’s Americans and Billionaires Survey revealed a striking shift: six out of ten adults expressed a desire to become not just millionaires but billionaires. This dramatic change raises an obvious question: what occurred over the intervening decade and a half to produce such contrasting findings? Several factors likely contributed to this shift, including recovery from the 2007–2008 global financial crisis, the rapid rise of cryptocurrencies, the proliferation of start-up culture, and the influence of social media’s celebration of wealth and success. Additionally, post-pandemic attitudes suggest that people have become more 'money-minded,' perhaps driven by a sense of urgency to recover financial losses. Meanwhile, companies have adopted increasingly profit-driven practices, raising prices while shrinking product sizes.
A 2017 study found that almost 50% of Americans worry about their financial situation, and it impacts their mental health, relationships, diet, and even their work performance. Widely available research shows a connection between low income poor health outcomes and shorter life expectancy. There are many reasons for this, beyond the fact that people living in poverty have a harder time affording nutritious food and suitable shelter. For example, low-income neighbourhoods often have poorer hospitals, and they are less likely to have public resources that have a positive impact on health, such as safe streets and clean water.
Worrying about money clearly impacts our well-being in significant ways, and in that struggle, it is difficult to see beyond the needs of the day. But if we can take a moment to reflect, we can appreciate that we still have ways to enhance our well-being. We have some choices about how we can spend both our money and time. We can also see the reality of what might initially seem clichéd, that most of the important enjoyments in life cannot be purchased. What can truly bring us gratification in this life are relationships, purpose, meaning, and connection to nature. If we can remember that, we can find ways to enhance our well-being.
The relationship between money and happiness is complicated. Leading researchers disagree on the effect money can have on people’s sense of well-being and happiness. A study found that people’s sense of well-being plateaued when they earned $75,000, but new research has found no leveling-off effect. It means that your happiness increases with your income. In both studies, happiness was measured by asking people to evaluate their feelings retrospectively or after an event. Killingsworth (2021) examined people’s emotions as they occurred, and determined that as their income increased, their well-being also increased. Laurie Santos, a Psychology Professor at Yale, notes that while Killingsworth’s research shows that making more money influences happiness, the magnitude of that effect is small on large incomes. She suggests that practices like writing in a gratitude journal and doing exercise have a bigger effect on people’s happiness. Multiple studies have backed the idea that happiness, positive emotions, and cheerfulness precede higher pay, not vice versa. This means that happier individuals with positive outlooks on the future are more likely to perform better at work and therefore, earn higher salaries.
It is said that the only real security that a man will have in this world is a backup of knowledge, experience, and skills. Formal education prepares us for a living, but an investment in knowledge will pay us the best interest
Economics explains that wages are determined by the number of people willing and able to perform a specific job that others want done. When a task can be performed by many, the pay for that labour is relatively low; however, when only a few possess the skills or willingness to do the job, wages are significantly higher. This system does not take into account the intrinsic worth or societal value of the work being done—wages are purely a reflection of the balance between supply and demand. For instance, this dynamic helps explain why a hitman’s earnings may far exceed those of a hospital nurse. The harsh reality of modern society is that higher income often correlates with greater admiration and respect, regardless of the moral or societal impact of the work.
When we reflect on the stark disparities mentioned above, the entire economic system can appear devoid of justice. Historically, there have been two notable attempts to address these perceived injustices. The first was rooted in religious doctrine, which emphasised a person’s worth in a moral or spiritual sense rather than a financial one. According to this view, after death, an individual’s soul would be weighed by God, with their true merits rewarded for eternity. While earthly wages might remain unchanged, the concept of an honest wage would carry profound significance in the divine realm. The second, more pragmatic approach was championed by Karl Marx, who envisioned a new world order where workers would be compensated according to the value of their contributions to society. However, the current economic structure is so deeply entrenched that such transformative change seems improbable in the near future. While the hope of reconciling wages with societal contributions or respect persists, we must, for now, navigate our lives pragmatically within the confines of the existing system.
It is said that the only real security that a man will have in this world is a backup of knowledge, experience, and skills. Formal education prepares us for a living, but an investment in knowledge will pay us the best interest. I have always believed that success in whatever you pursue can never be the result of making money, but making money can be the result of your success. When we do, what we are genuinely meant to do, money comes to us, and doors open for us; we feel useful, and the work we do feels like play. Wealth is not about having a lot of money; it is about having a lot of options in life. Therefore, if making money is the most important thing for you, you will be spending your life completely wasting your time. You will end up doing senseless things you don't like doing, just to go on living. At the end of the day, you can never be happy in the mere possession of money; happiness lies in the joy of accomplishment, in the thrill of that creative effort that got you there. Therefore, do what you love doing, and the money will follow.