Riches is neither good nor bad.

The last few days I had to leave this blog unattended as I went to Kuala Lumpur to attend to matters pertaining to my car at Bukit Aman. While I was there I met an interesting young man who was always impressing upon all that he met that he can afford a very luxurious life-style.

I had a long talk with him as we talk of the possible wealth that awaits him from his academic success. He was not talking of thousands but millions. At the beginning I felt that was not altogether bad as dreams are what takes people to heights of success in life. But as we talked on I realised that his feet were not securely planted on the ground. His dreams were obviously unreachable, not possible with what he intends to do anyway. As Napoleon Hill said,"Whatever the mind of Man can conceive and believe, he will achieve." Well, this man was dreaming of millions but he could not conceive how it could be done and he was asking if it could ever be possible. Yet, it is certain that this man has a great thirst for wealth. He has that inferiority complex which could give him the drive to go the distance to achieve it.

He has this thirst for wealth because he has known hardship and poverty. He came from a family where the father had looked for no job as the grandfather was very rich.

Well, his is the story of a man (the man's grandfather) who gathered so much wealth that when he passed away he left behind so much money that his children had never had to worry about anything that money could buy. Some of the children did well; using the money to earn more money but a few depended upon their inheritance and as a result did not search for a job or did any kind of business. The need was just not there!

One of those who merely enjoyed their lives with the fortune left behind was the father of this man whom I met. As he was neither thrifty nor careful, the money soon ran out. And when he found himself with hardly sufficient to continue his luxurious lifestyle, he found no one willing to employ him as he was either too old or without a skill. The most unfortunate ones were this new acquaintance and his siblings. They had to do with whatever little the father could earn as a small vegetable seller.

So, it is no wonder that this new acquaintance had this inferiority complex. According to another person who was there too, I was told he would spend more than what he could afford. I realised that he was trying to cover up the fact that he was poor. But it resulted in him being in debt even when he was studying in the university.

Fortunately for this acquaintance, his success academically surely would give him the chance to overcome his financial position if he is careful and manages his finances well.

Now, it the rich grandfather had done better parenting and ensured that the children work despite his wealth, the children and grandchildren would not have to suffer the 'disadvantage' of being too rich. For wealth need not necessarily hampers dependents from improving themselves or reaching out for their own successes.