True Wealth

When one asks themselves "what is wealth," people immediately think of

money. They think of nice cars and big houses. People think of power and the

ability to have control over others. When I was in elementary school I believed

this same thing. Now that I am in college my outlook on what wealth is has

changed dramatically. To me wealth is contentment and knowledge. With these

two things will come the greatest wealth a person can achieve. Money does not

necessarily mean contentment although some people think that it does. Wealth is

not having money, property, and power if these things cannot make a person truly

content. These things do not necessarily bring wisdom either.

When I think of wealth a quotation comes to mind. It was said by Henry

David Thoreau:

"Books are the treasured wealth of the world and the fit inheritance

of generations and nations... Their authors are a natural and

irresistible

aristocracy in every society, and, more than kings or emperors, exert an

influence on mankind."

I believe that if one chooses to enrich their mind and strive for

knowledge that they are truly wealthy. Wealth is the ability to enrich and

influence. With knowledge one can do these things. Wealth is not taking

things for granted. In many ways knowledge can help you achieve success. With

knowledge one can look into the past and see the mistakes that others have made.

The person with knowledge will not repeat these mistakes. Kn...