Wealth and Morality - Money Is Not Evil

Is money the root of all evil? Does money corrupt? Can the morality of every person be bought or acquired for a price?

These are all interesting questions, as they are based on the presumption that the increase of wealth necessitates a decline in morality. Almost as if we exist on a Cartesian plane with linear scales and balances.

I disagree with this assumption for several reasons. Morality is the practice of deliberately making virtuous choices. At the time of the choice, it make seem that morality holds us back and limits our ability to acquire and retain wealth, but over time, those that sustain their wealth across generations do so because of moral choices.

In fact, several virtues support Thrift and encourage the building of wealth. The cardinal virtues of Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice describe the characteristics needed to succeed in life and business. Temperance is about managing against excess and waste - a penny saved is a penny earned. Fortitude refers to persistence and not quitting or admitting defeat. This tenacity is necessary to hold fast and remain during tough times in order to prosper when tides and trends are more fortunate. Prudence and Justice are about prioritizing and allocating everything according to their due priority.

The other element is Wealth, which in many ways is different form Prosperity or Good Fortune. Wealth implies responsibility and proprietorship, as opposed to simple being the beneficiary of unexpected riches. Wealth is something that requires moral leadership in order to correctly manage over time.

So why is Wealth seen as immoral? Resentment, perhaps. Maybe a guilt trip promoted to induce donations to organizations which pose as charities but are actually sophisticated marketing institutions who could teach Wall Street a thing or two about emotional manipulation. Maybe it is the call of defeat from those who have accepted their lot in life, and mistrust others who advocate a more enlightened approach.

When all else fails, life is about balaning "Doing the Right Thing" with "The Path of Least Resistance". Thrift is not easy, but it is moral, and the practice of Thrift will build Wealth in a way that allows you to look at yourself in the mirror.