I have won this lottery. It's a gigantic lottery, and it's called

Hear the words of Jeff Bezos, merchant of the modern age and dreamer of the stars, who proclaimed: “I have won this lottery. It's a gigantic lottery, and it's called And I'm using my lottery winnings to push us a little further into space.” At first these words appear as boast, but beneath them lies a reflection on fortune, destiny, and the calling that comes with great wealth. Bezos names his triumph a lottery, for even amidst effort and vision, there is always the mystery of chance—timing, opportunity, the tides of history. And he reveals that such fortune, once gained, is not to be hoarded, but to be harnessed for a purpose greater than self.

The origin of this saying lies in the rise of lottery, reminding us that none can claim absolute mastery over fortune. To be born in a certain time, to act at a certain moment—these are gifts as much as achievements.

But what does he mean by using these winnings to “push us a little further into space”? Here we glimpse the ancient human yearning, older than nations: the desire to ascend beyond the earth, to see what lies in the infinite heavens. The pyramids of Egypt pointed skyward, the towers of Babel sought to pierce the clouds, the astronomers of Babylon charted the stars, and the sailors of Europe once crossed oceans to discover new worlds. Bezos, inheritor of this timeless impulse, seeks to extend the reach of humanity into the cosmos. Thus the lottery of commerce becomes fuel for the nobler lottery of exploration.

Consider the tale of Ferdinand Magellan, who set sail to circumnavigate the earth. His journey was fraught with danger, mutiny, and death, yet it revealed the vastness of the globe and opened paths that reshaped history. His voyage was not funded by his own means alone, but by the wealth and backing of Spain, channeled into exploration. In the same manner, Bezos channels his vast fortune not solely into indulgence, but into the dream of space travel through ventures like Blue Origin. The lesson is clear: when fortune lifts one man high, his duty is to build ladders for all to climb.

Yet Tyson’s warning—spoken in another age—still echoes here: when men grow rich, their purpose may be corrupted by greed. Bezos’ words, therefore, remind us of the dual path of fortune: it can either enslave us to luxury or free us for vision. To call wealth a “lottery” is also to call it undeserved, a gift of fate. If so, then the responsibility is heavy. What will you do with your winnings, however small or great they may be? Will you spend them only on yourself, or will you, too, push humanity a little further into the future?

The lesson for us all is this: do not despise fortune, but do not worship it either. Whatever measure of blessing or success falls into your hands, see it as a trust, not merely a possession. Use it to build, to inspire, to lift others. You may not build rockets to the stars, but you may build bridges in your community, opportunities for those around you, kindness that outlives your years. Wealth, whether of coin, talent, or time, is always a lottery—and always a responsibility.

Therefore, I charge you, O listener: live not as one who hoards his winnings, but as one who spends them upon destiny. Be it in art, in science, in compassion, or in exploration, push humanity “a little further” than you found it. For if Bezos, with his billions, dreams of the stars, then you, with your portion, can dream of lifting the lives of those around you. This is the wisdom of his words: that fortune is not an end, but a beginning; not a crown, but a calling.