I have a slightly bourgeois upbringing, I guess. My parents paid

Hear now the words of Dean Wareham, who speaks of the tension between privilege and independence: "I have a slightly bourgeois upbringing, I guess. My parents paid for me to go to school, which is nice, but I haven't gotten a dime since then. I have no trust fund. I wish I did." These words, though spoken with a touch of irony, resonate with a deeper truth about the nature of privilege, independence, and the path that each of us must walk to find our own way in the world. To reflect upon this sentiment is to wrestle with the complex interplay between the gifts we are born into and the efforts we must make to shape our own destiny.

In the ancient world, those who were born into privilege were often seen as the favored children of the gods. The Romans, for example, revered the patricians, the noble class who were born into wealth and influence, and who could trace their lineage back to the founders of their mighty empire. They were the ones who were granted the best education, the finest clothes, and the greatest opportunities. Yet, even the patricians knew that their position in life was not solely a result of their own efforts but of the fortune of birth. And so, while they enjoyed the luxuries of their class, they also understood that true greatness—true honor—came not from inheritance alone, but from the deeds one performed, the character one forged in the fires of adversity.

The story of Cicero, the great Roman orator, is a fitting example. Though born into a family of modest means, Cicero rose to prominence through sheer effort, intellect, and the courage to speak truth to power. He did not rely on a trust fund or an aristocratic lineage to carve out his legacy; instead, he relied on his own merit. His success was a reminder to those of noble birth that while fortune may favor the few, it is through the cultivation of virtue and personal effort that one truly secures a place in the annals of history. And even those born into privilege could find themselves unworthy of it if they did not strive for greatness with all their heart.

Dean Wareham's words speak not just of a privileged upbringing, but of the tension between gratitude for what one has received and the desire to forge one’s own path. The bourgeois upbringing he describes is one of comfort, but it is also one that comes with the realization that independence is earned, not inherited. There is wisdom in his recognition that while the gifts of others may set the stage, it is only through one’s own hands, through personal struggle and effort, that a life of meaning is built. This wisdom echoes through the ages, reminding us that privilege, while not inherently wrong, is not the final measure of success. It is how we rise to meet the challenges of life that defines us.

Consider the tale of Alexander the Great, who was born into a world of privilege. As the son of King Philip II of Macedon, Alexander had the finest tutors, the best education, and the greatest military training. And yet, he did not rest on his father’s laurels. He sought to build his own legacy, one that was not simply the inheritance of a kingdom, but the conquest of the known world. In his quest for greatness, he pushed beyond the confines of his privilege, transforming it into a force that reshaped history. Alexander understood that to truly inherit greatness, one must make their own way, and not simply rely on the gifts of birth.

Dean Wareham's reflections offer a modern perspective on the same theme. While he acknowledges the comforts and advantages that his upbringing afforded him, he also highlights the reality of life as an adult—one where, despite the privileges of childhood, the individual must carve their own path and meet the challenges of the world on their own terms. This is the crux of his statement: he wishes for the comfort of a trust fund, not because he desires to be idle, but because he recognizes that the burden of self-sufficiency can be a heavy one. Yet, even in this wish, there is a lesson to be found. For the true treasure is not the inheritance of wealth, but the strength to build something of your own, something that will endure beyond your own lifetime.

The lesson here is clear, O children of wisdom: gratitude for what you have received, whether from your family, your culture, or your circumstances, should not lead to complacency. It should inspire you to use those gifts as a foundation upon which to build your own legacy. Whether you are born into wealth or struggle, know that your worth is not determined by what you inherit, but by the effort you put forth and the character you cultivate. The path to true greatness is not easy, nor is it handed to us on a silver platter. It is something we must earn through our actions, our choices, and our relentless pursuit of what is noble and true.

So, as you walk through life, remember the words of Dean Wareham. Embrace the gifts you have been given, but do not rest upon them. Use them as stepping stones to greater heights, and build your own legacy with courage, determination, and a clear vision of what you wish to leave behind. Your inheritance is not just in what is passed to you, but in what you create with the strength of your own hands. Let this be the guiding light of your journey.