SELF-IMPROVEMENT

Money Isn’t the Root of All Evil: It Shows What People Are Already Like

It brings out the true nature of an individual.

Alejandro Betancourt
Bottomline Talks
Published in
4 min readMar 18, 2022

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Photo by Yasin Gündogdu from Pexels

“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants. “— Epictetus

Money is not the root of all evil. It has been said that money can’t buy happiness, but it can make life easier. But, this cannot be said for everyone. Money does not change anyone; it shows what they’re already like.

Some people are happy to have more money because it will help them live a better life. Others are unhappy with their lot in life and will do anything to get more money because they believe that is the only way to fix their problems.

But what about those of us who are somewhere between? We may not be happy with our current financial situation. Still, we’re not desperate to resort to illegal or unethical means to get more money. Or we’re content with our lives but would like to have a little extra cash for luxury items or travel.

In either case, it’s important to remember that money is a tool. It can bring out the true nature of an individual, but it doesn’t create that nature.

Before letting money control your life, take a step back and ask yourself what kind of person you want to be. Then let your actions reflect that.

Do People Change When They have More Money?

There are arguments that people with more money are more likely to be happier and less stressed. But, people who have more money may also be more likely to become arrogant and entitled.

If you give a knife to a surgeon, he will save lives. If you give a knife to a murderer, he will take lives. The same can be said of money.

It’s not the tool, but who uses it and for what purpose!

Some people are better off with more money, while others are not. It all depends on the person’s character and what they would do with the extra cash.

If you’re struggling to make ends meet, then a little extra money can go long. But if you’re already doing well financially, more money may not make much of a difference.

It all comes down to the individual and what they value in life.

The Power of Money and How it Impacts Human Behavior

The power of money is something that has been studied for centuries. Particularly in the last few decades, some research has been done on how money influences human behavior.

One of the most famous studies on this topic was conducted by social psychologist Philip Zimbardo. In his Stanford Prison Experiment, Zimbardo showed how humans would change when placed in different situations with different amounts of power.

The study found that those given more power (in this case, money) were more likely to act abusive or corruptly. They felt they could get away with it and felt entitled.

While this may not be true for everyone, it does show how money can impact human behavior. And it’s something to keep in mind next time you’re jealous of someone with a more significant bank balance than you.

When we see someone who has more money than us, it’s natural to feel a twinge of jealousy. But instead of letting that feeling take over, try to remember that everyone’s financial situation is different.

Just because someone has a lot of money doesn’t mean they’re happy. They could be dealing with many problems that you don’t even know about.

How Money Shapes Who We Become and What We Value

Money can be a powerful motivator. It can be used to shape what we want in life and what we value. It can also lead to envy, greed, and materialism.

The first use of money is for basic human needs such as food and shelter. But once those needs are met, money can start to have a different meaning.

Some people may value power and status and work hard to earn enough money to buy luxuries and live a life of luxury. Others may love experiences and travel and save up to go on adventures worldwide.

Others place a higher value on giving back to others. They may not care about material possessions, but they’re happy to donate their time or money to causes they care about.

Whatever your values are, it’s essential to know how money shapes them. And if you find that your values are being influenced by greed or envy, try to take a step and re-evaluate what’s important to you.

Money is a tool that can be used for good or bad, depending on the person. It doesn’t necessarily make people happy, but it can make life easier.

What are your thoughts on money? Do you think it’s the root of all evil, or does it show what people are already like? Let me know in the comments below! And if you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends! :)

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Alejandro Betancourt
Bottomline Talks

Entrepreneur, Investor, Executive Coach & Author. Single Dad sharing insights on Mindset, Philosophy, and Self-Improvement.