By Pradeep A. Shah, Chartered Accountant
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“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not every man’s greed” – Mahatma Gandhi
We all, as children, have heard the story of Alibaba. Alibaba discovered the cave of thieves and came to know the magic password “Open Sesame”, which opened the door of the cave. Exercising this knowledge in moderation, he became rich. His uncle Kassim also managed to know the password, entered the cave and went mad with greed, piled up huge amount of gold, and treasure and then forgot the words to open the cave. He was found inside by the robbers, killed and cut into four pieces. Yes, we know the story alright. But have forgotten the moral of the story. Do not be greedy.
Some of us may also have read a story written by Tolstoy, called ‘How much land does a man need?’ The story is about a poor peasant, eking out a living from his small plot of land. He comes to know that beyond the mountains, fertile land is available at a very cheap rate. He sells his land and buys a bigger and more fertile piece of land, and starts living a better life. The same story is repeated and each time the peasant moves to a still distant land, each time he becomes richer and richer. Ultimately, he learns that behind the distant mountain range, there was a still better opportunity. The King of the place was giving all the land a person could cover by walking from sunrise to sunset, for a hefty amount to be paid in advance. The only condition was that if one could not reach the starting point by sunset, he forfeited his entire deposit. Our friend starts walking at sunrise, finding better and better land ahead. In trying to encompass as much as he could, he loses track of time and realises that it has become very late and may not be able to reach the starting point before the sunset. He runs and runs. He staggers to the starting point with his outstretched hand. He manages to finish. But he too is finished. The cheering crowd was stunned. In his greed to cover more and more land, he had overstrained himself so much that his heart gave way. The people had to dig a grave for him and it required just six feet of land to bury our peasant friend when ;
It is truly said that while a ship needs water to sail, if the same water enters the ship, the ship sinks. Money is necessary for our necessities and comforts. But if we blindly pursue money and allow it to become our master, it is then that the problem starts. We run the risk of sinking under the weight of our wealth.
What is true of money is also true of power. It has brought about the downfall of the high and mighty like both Napoleon and Hitler. Even Alexander the Great after conquering so many countries realised that at the end everyone has to go empty handed. He directed that when his body is taken for cremation, his hands should be displayed for people to see, to realise that even Alexander the Great went empty handed.
It would do good to all of us, if we pause in this race of getting more and more riches, and think as to what is required to be truly happy.
I would end with this passage from ‘Les Miserables’ by Victor Hugo:
“Indeed, is not that all, and what more can be desired? A little garden to walk, and immensity to reflect upon. At his feet something to cultivate and gather, above his head something to study and mediate upon a few flowers on the earth, and all the stars in the sky.”
