On Riches & Success
They will only amplify what you already are.
“For even peace itself will supply more reason for worry. Not even safe circumstances will bring you confidence once your mind has been shocked—once it gets in the habit of blind panic, it can’t provide for its own safety. For it doesn’t really avoid danger, it just runs away. Yet we are exposed to greater danger with our backs turned.” - Seneca
Prosperity won’t automatically make you a better person. If you’re worth your salt it won’t change you. Money, status, or recognition can only magnify what’s already there. You can’t expect to harvest what you haven’t planted. If your mind is weak, prosperity won’t strengthen it- you won’t magically become confident. If your habits are reckless, prosperity won’t fix you. If your heart is restless, prosperity won’t bring peace. Those things depend on you- on how you think, how you act, and how you live.
Prosperity works like a mirror. It reflects your ambition, your drive, your hunger to expand beyond the life you already have. It asks you whether you’ll keep working through triumph- to realize your full potential, whether you’ll still carry yourself with purpose and resilience when the world gives you all you’ve ever wanted. It asks you whether you can stand with your head high without letting ego and other negative emotions blind you, whether you can keep striving without resting on your laurels.
But prosperity can also fool you. It can whisper that you’re better than others, that you deserve to look down on them, that success makes you superior. That illusion is dangerous. The truth is simpler- you’re still just human. To live well you must cooperate, connect, and build alliances. Being nice, being kind, being helpful is the highest wisdom in seasons of prosperity. Those who last don’t isolate themselves on pedestals, they remain open, generous, and disciplined enough to hold their word and virtues. They keep learning and improving their shortfalls.
True strength shows in balance. Yes, you recognize your progress and potential for greatness. Yes, this excitement can push you toward arrogance. Yet, it can also remind you of humility- the humility to live a life guided by virtue, to value character above the nice circumstances you’ve created, to strengthen yourself against misfortune, to keep your creative mind uncorrupted and your friendships genuine. In this way, prosperity is more than a reward. It asks whether you’ll expand outward as a force for good or become selfish and unbearable. It’s asks you whether you’re still who you say you are even without the ornaments, the cars, the prestigious job.
That’s why the work of becoming courageous, confident, and content must be done before prosperity ever arrives and maintained as your flourishing continues. Because as you continue to strive and prosper- as your nature demands, it will only amplify what you already are. And that’s why we study this philosophy.
Join 72,100 other Stoics,
P.S: Annual & Patron members get all my books with their subscription. The bundle includes, ‘The Best of Marcus Aurelius’, ‘The Tools’, with over 40,000 words of bonus content + a free copy of ‘The Stoic Manual Vol. 1’ dropping next year. Patron members also get Lifetime Access to the publication, all bonuses, and all future benefits- at no extra cost. Featured,
P.P.S: Most people loved the series on How to Deepen Your Friendships, Part I, Part II & Part III. Also check out the practical entries on How To Deal With Toxic People, How to Process & Overcome Grief & How to Prevent and Overcome Burnout. Happy reading!
Did you like this entry? Tell me about it.
I always enjoy hearing from you, and for you to hear from each other.
Please leave a like (❤️), tell me what you think (💬) in the comment section and share this post with someone so that more people can discover and benefit from it.
Support The Stoic Manual and access 225+ premium in-depth essays: lessons & mini-courses in the art of living, consolations for difficult times, Relationship Mini-courses, The Wealth Playbook, Leadership Skills, Social Skills and Health Tools for a virile and distinguished life.
Thank you for the wise gifts.
Very interesting piece!