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Personal Finance
4 Philosophical Lessons About Money
The pursuit of money is nothing but smoke.
“Let’s pass over to the really rich – how often the occasions they look just like the poor! When they travel abroad, they must restrict their baggage, and when haste is necessary, they dismiss their entourage.” – Seneca
Their thinking is elevated.
Their financial habits are healthier.
They usually have more financial education.
Their lifestyles are full of conveniences they can afford to buy.
They (those that worked to accumulate their fortune) are likely to be more disciplined.
But other than this, the primary difference is they have more money, and that’s it. We all still end up in the same place: the dirt.
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Lesson Two: Money Can Disappear In An Instant.
Be careful where you invest your time and how much time you devote to attaining more money. Here’s the thing about money, it can all disappear in an instant; everything you’ve saved, invested, and attained with your blood, sweat, tears, anxiety, stress, and fears can go away at the snap of the finger.
Your very life functions in the same way.
Today, we often find people working their hands to the bones for the greatest treasure on earth: money.
We work to feed our appetites;
Meanwhile, our souls go hungry
The one who loves money is never satisfied with money,
Nor the one who loves wealth with big profits. More smoke.
A rich man’s belly gives him insomnia.
I took a look at everything I’d done, looked at all the sweat and hard work.
But when I looked, I saw nothing but smoke.
– Ecclesiastes
We covet it. We hoard it. We relentlessly pursue it. We obsess over it. We continually find ways to get more of it. Money is the biggest time sucker and focus for many people.
Lesson Three: Money Plus Wisdom Is Dangerous.
Money is better when it’s paired with wisdom. Utilize wisdom to learn how to balance your relationship with money, so it’s not destructive to your health, relationships, and life.
You can have all the money in the world, but your money doesn’t mean anything if you lack wisdom.
With wisdom, you can utilize your money with a worthy purpose, discipline, and generosity. With wisdom, you can extend the longevity of your money for generations to come if that is what you desire. With wisdom, you remember that money is simply a tool; it is nothing more and nothing less. The obsession with obtaining money always leads to a road to nowhere.
Lesson Four: Never Spending Money Is The Same As Hoarding (A Form of Addiction)
Have you ever had a friend or family member that you knew had a lot of money, except they never spent any of it? They can buy almost whatever they want; instead, they are overzealous savers and investors.
A man hoards far more wealth than is good for him.
– Ecclesiastes
Nothing but smoke, as the book of Ecclesiastes, would put it.
What is the point of accumulating a ton of money but never using it? What a waste.
Each individual should aim to find a beautiful balance between enjoyment and discipline; without one, you starve your soul. Use both to thrive holistically.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.