Confessions of a Wealthy Tycoon...
Would you rather be rich or wealthy?
There is a specific kind of honesty that only surfaces when someone has reached the “pinnacle” of success. A luxury to reflect on what most of us only fantasize about.
I recently found a striking example of this in a 1926 memoir of Harvey Firestone, called Men and Rubber.
Despite his immense wealth and influence, Firestone found himself trapped in the chase for things he didn’t actually want.
“Why is it that a man, just as soon as he gets enough money, builds a house much bigger than he needs?
I have a house in Akron many times larger than I have the least use for; I have another house at Miami Beach which is also much larger than I need.
I suppose that before I die, I shall buy or build houses which also will be larger than I need.
I do not know why I do it - the houses are only a burden. But I have done it, and all my friends who have acquired wealth have big houses. Even so unostentatious a man as Henry Ford has a much bigger house at Dearborn that he really cares about.
I wonder why it is.
Perhaps it is some foolish survival of the ancient feudal idea when a big house meant a strong house in which one might keep a small army for protection.
In a few cases, a big house is built just as an advertisement that one is rich; sometimes a big house is built so that great entertainments may be given.
But in most cases, and especially with men who have earned their own money, the house is just built, and when it is done, no one quite knows why it was ever started.”
Money, big houses, being rich… can look like the place we most desire. But what if, it’s only a mirage in the desert?
Perhaps the truest luxury is knowing what actually matters before we get too far along our journey.
Maybe this is why wealth is meant to be slow.
And why it should be thoughtfully acquired.
Maybe there is a swallowing chasm between being rich and being wealthy.
One controls you. The other sets you free.
Until next time, keep walking!
Jeremy ✌️