It isn’t necessary to be rich and famous to be happy, it’s only necessary to be rich. –Alan Alda
“I want you to be filthy rich,” the elderly man told his grandson who was sitting on his knee. “In fact, I want you to be obscenely rich. I want you to have so much money that it embarrasses you. I want you to achieve the kind of wealth that makes you feel sorrow for others without it. I want you to be so loaded that you won’t know what to do with it all! And then I want you to multiply it.”
The little kid beamed, “I’m gonna be rich, pappy.”
Later that same day the child’s mother confronted the grandfather about his curious advice to her little son.
“I’m not comfortable with your words,” she said sternly. “I’d prefer from now on that you tell him to be a good person, to love others, to be considerate and strive to make a difference. I want him to live with selflessness and compassion toward others.”
“Can’t argue,” the old man nodded, “and that’s what I told him.”
“I heard you,” she protested. “You told him to get filthy rich!”
“Indeed, I did,” agreed the elderly man. “And what you don’t seem to appreciate is that to get rich, he’s going to live a remarkable life. The way to wealth, the lad will learn, is to serve others, to fulfill needs, to impact lives in a meaningful way, to live with purpose, to make a contribution that benefits the masses, to struggle well, and to make a worthy difference.”
Her mouth fell open. “I just want him to be happy. I don’t think it’s right to aim for wealth with so many people starving in the world.”
“I see” replied the grandfather, “but who can benefit starving people more? A penniless Saint, or a virtuous man with a fortune to spare?”
