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Blog » Inspirational Finance Quotes » Henry David Thoreau – What is Wealth?

Henry David Thoreau – What is Wealth?

Updated on June 13th, 2022
Henry David Thoreau - What is Wealth?

“Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.”

-Henry David Thoreau

Alright, I can’t help but think of Ebenezer Scrooge with this quote. Think about it; he had all the wealth in the world, and yet it brought him absolutely no joy.

Thoreau would say that Scrooge was not truly wealthy. And indeed he wasn’t if you consider wealth as the experiences in life that bring a smile to our face. If you have all the money in the world, but you sit in your golden chair and do nothing with it, then what is the point of having it?

I had a speaker come into a business class of mine, and he stressed the importance of giving. He gave each one of us a brand new, crisp $100 bill (with college classes being over 40 he spent A LOT of money to make a point). He told us to keep $20, and give the rest away.

That doing so would teach us what a true happiness it is to give money away, and the good fortune that will follow.

Our goal in life shouldn’t be to “accrue wealth”, it should be to enjoy the journey, let the money be an added bonus.

 

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Angela Ruth

Angela Ruth

Angela Ruth is a financial writer at Due. She has a passion for helping people get out of debt and live a better life.

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