I don't think you can measure wealth in dollars and cents. I

“I don't think you can measure wealth in dollars and cents. I really don't believe that at all because there are some things that money cannot buy. One of them is health. And the other is security in your relationships and friends.” — Cicely Tyson

Hear now the voice of Cicely Tyson, the radiant matriarch of dignity and grace, who walked through a world obsessed with riches yet never lost sight of the treasures that time and spirit bestow. In this saying, she speaks not of gold, but of true wealth — the kind that cannot be held in the hand, counted by bankers, or written upon ledgers. She teaches that money, though powerful in its domain, is but a shadow when compared to the light of health, love, and friendship. For a kingdom of coins is meaningless to one who cannot rise from the bed of illness, and a palace of jewels is a prison if the heart within it beats in solitude.

The origin of these words lies in a life of perseverance and reflection. Born in an age when the world often denied her opportunity, Cicely Tyson rose through hardship not by chasing wealth, but by nurturing purpose and faith. She chose roles that honored her people and uplifted the soul, even when the promise of fame and fortune called her elsewhere. Her wisdom was not that of the marketplace, but of the spirit — the understanding that prosperity is not possession, but peace. Having seen the fragility of both fame and fortune, she learned that the only riches that endure are those carried within: health, integrity, and the love of others.

In her words, we hear an echo of the ancients, who too understood that wealth without virtue is poverty of the soul. The philosopher Socrates once said, “He is richest who is content with the least, for contentment is nature’s wealth.” So also did the poet Horace remind the Romans that “money has never yet made anyone rich.” Tyson’s insight continues this eternal lineage — a reminder that material wealth is fleeting, and that the measure of a life is not its possessions, but its connections. For health is the strength of the body, and friendship is the nourishment of the heart. Without these, the soul withers, no matter how gilded its cage.

Consider, O listener, the story of Howard Hughes, one of the richest men the modern world has ever known. Surrounded by luxury, attended by servants, and sheltered in palaces of his own making, he died in torment — ravaged by disease, paranoia, and isolation. His fortune could buy every material comfort but not the peace of a clear mind or the companionship of trust. In contrast, Cicely Tyson, though never defined by vast wealth, spent her days among people she loved and inspired generations with her grace. At the end of her journey, her wealth was counted not in coins, but in hearts. And such is the truth of her teaching — that health and relationships are the true gold of life, enduring when all else decays.

Tyson’s wisdom pierces the illusion of a world enthralled by accumulation. She reminds us that the pursuit of wealth without compassion is a form of blindness. The sick man would give his fortune for one day of strength; the lonely would trade diamonds for a single hour of genuine friendship. The body, when nourished by health, and the spirit, when rooted in love, give more joy than any treasure could. Thus, the wise measure their prosperity not by what they own, but by how deeply they live — how freely they love, how soundly they sleep, how kindly they are remembered.

Let this be the lesson drawn from her words: cherish what cannot be purchased. Guard your health, for it is the foundation upon which every dream stands. Cultivate relationships, for they are the shelter of the soul when storms arise. Share laughter, show gratitude, and tend to your friendships as carefully as one tends a garden, for when wealth fades, these will remain. And above all, remember that to be rich is not to possess, but to be at peace — to walk each day with a clear conscience, a sound body, and a loving heart.

Therefore, O child of ambition and striving, learn from Cicely Tyson’s enduring wisdom: pursue not the glittering coin, but the golden life. Let your wealth be measured in the strength of your body, the warmth of your home, the trust of your friends, and the purity of your heart. For when your days are done, and the ledger of life is closed, the question will not be, “What did you earn?” but “Whom did you love, and how well did you live?” Those who can answer truthfully are the richest of all — and their legacy, like Tyson’s, will outshine even the stars.