Radha Prathi

Tragedy Classics Inspirational

3.5  

Radha Prathi

Tragedy Classics Inspirational

Need and Greed

Need and Greed

2 mins
91


The world is still divided by the Haves and the Have Nots. At the outset, the problem may appear to be in the realms of economics, but a keener observation will reveal that it boils down to the hoarding psyche of man. The desire to acquire and possess has possessed mankind like never before. Individuals, communities and nations alike are on a materialistic plane.


Leo Tolstoy, in his story, “How Much Land Does a Man Need?” enumerates the greed of a peasant who wanted to make the most of an offer by obtaining land for a thousand Roubles. All he had to do was claim his measure of the earth by running across it from dawn to dusk. Unfortunately when he completed the tedious feat at sunset, he dropped dead, only to be buried in a six feet grave.


 It is high time we realise that all living beings on earth come with an expiry date. There are simply no records of people who have taken along the riches they have earned or inherited after their death. Hence, there is no point in hoarding the wealth and assets that we may never need. The greatest inheritance we could possibly leave for our children is to empower them to be independent and responsible individuals.


 This certainly does not mean that money is dispensable. Even a great soul like Buddha who renounced his kingdom recognised the significance of food, clothing and shelter to sustain life. No religion or way of life sidelines the importance of worldly needs. At the same time, none of them endorse avarice or hoarding.


True, we need to save up for a rainy day. But the moot question is, “How much do we need?” This predicament seems to be the toughest of them all because many of us do not know when to stop ourselves from making money. At such times, it will be helpful to remember that as long as we are masters of our riches, the relationship is a healthy one. The moment we are enslaved by our wealth, we lose ourselves.


If we incorporate virtues of simple living, compassionate and charitable traits in our lives right from our formative years, we can create economic equilibrium by helping the less fortunate around us. This will in turn lead to a healthier and harmonious society. Since what goes around comes around, we do not have to bend backwards to stash away a gigantic nest egg because we can be rest assured that our good deeds will be reciprocated if and when the need arises.



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