Sunday, June 14, 2009

Definition of wealth

You say you are rich. You are wealthy.
You may be well off, but are you really wealthy?
There is a distinction, you know?

Wealth is a person's ability to survive so many number of days forward ... or if I stopped working today, how long could I survive?

The above extract is from Rich Dad, Poor Dad and attributed to Buckminster Fuller.

When I read this line for the first time, it scared me. I can just imagine how long I will be able to survive without a job. And more importantly, how well will I be able to survive? So today I may be better off that I was 10 years ago. But I am definitely not wealthy.

Are you?

1 comment:

  1. There is a flaw in the definition. Haven't read Rich Dad Poor Dad - have been thinking of reading it for some time now.

    Now suppose I am a government employee earning so and so Rupees monthly. I retire at say 40.

    Another colleague of mine continues working till 50. He goes on to hold better positions in the organisation and earns more.

    Once we retire, we both get a pension for the rest of our life.

    Who is wealthier?

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