In order of importance, every man needs to have three things to live a satisfactory life: Health (which also leads to Time), Happiness, and Money. The power of money is undeniable. It offers influence and comfort that health and happiness cannot always achieve in the same way. Just ask David Lee Roth.
Money can’t buy you happiness, but it can buy you a yacht big enough to pull up right alongside it.”
But let’s be real – money pails in comparison to your health and happiness. This is because money cannot buy you happiness, nor can it buy you health (or time). However, your earned health and happiness can bring you more money if you know how to invest that spark of energy they breed.
You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you.”
-Maya Angelou
Maya has just described how the three essential needs of every man can feed off each other and result in a better life for you. But it is a deep rabbit hole we have just started down, which will require the opinions of several of our favorite people/proverbs to help elicit more enlightenment.
Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.”
-Will Smith
If you lend someone twenty dollars and never see that person again – it was probably worth it.”
-Author Unknown
Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.”
-Jim Rohn
There is a wise proverb that says, “If you want to feel rich, just count the things you have that money can’t buy.” And one of those things could be your sense of humor. Isn’t that about right, Mr. Bill Murray.
The Best Way to teach your kids about taxes is by eating 30% of their ice cream.”
-Bill Murray
“Anybody who tells you money is the root of all evil doesn’t fu*king have any.”
-Jim Young in Boiler Room (2000)
“Most people work just hard enough not to get fired and get paid just enough money not to quit.”
-George Carlin
Ah, yes, divorce – from the Latin word meaning to rip out a man’s genitals through his wallet.”
And yes, Satchel, we have forgotten one important component to this equation: women.
“Money and women. They’re two of the strongest things in the world. The things you do for a woman you wouldn’t do for anything else. Same with money.”
-Satchel Paige
Author, Daniel Gilbert reminds us, “Once you have your human needs met, a lot more money doesn’t make for a lot more happiness.” So we can say that money does make the world go round, but it is a prisoner to both your health/time and happiness.
You’re not your job. You’re not how much money you have in the bank. You’re not the car you drive. You’re not the contents of your wallet. You’re the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world.”
-Tyler Durden in Fight Club (1999)
As important as money is – remember that when it’s time to update your plans to earn more money in the coming year, do your best not to sacrifice your health, happiness, (“or woman,” as Satchel would remind us). Because doing so would be the same thing as cutting off your own foot right before lining up to the most important race of your life.
About Max Green