Money is often a matter of chance or good fortune and is not the

In the ever-turning wheel of life, where the tides of fortune rise and fall, one truth has echoed through the corridors of time: money, though often sought after, is not the true measure of a successful life. Charles M. Schwab, in his reflection on wealth, speaks with the wisdom of those who have seen the fleeting nature of fortune and understand that the essence of success lies not in material wealth, but in the richness of the soul. "Money is often a matter of chance or good fortune and is not the mark of a successful life. It is not the thing that brings a throb of pleasure or a thrill into my life. And I would not pose as a successful man if that were to be the measure." These words speak to the very heart of human existence, a reminder that true fulfillment comes not from the accumulation of wealth, but from the pursuit of purpose, wisdom, and human connection.

The ancient world, though teeming with treasures and empires, understood that wealth was a transitory force. King Croesus of Lydia, often cited as one of the richest men of antiquity, amassed gold beyond imagination. Yet, as the story goes, his wealth brought him no lasting peace, no true joy. When his empire was overtaken, he realized that his wealth, though abundant, had not brought him the happiness or fulfillment he had long sought. In fact, the pursuit of money had led him to question what truly made a man successful. This is the very question that Schwab answers in his reflection—money may come and go, but it is not the true measure of a life well-lived. It is, rather, the quality of one’s actions, the relationships formed, and the purpose pursued that gives life its meaning.

Indeed, the Greeks knew well the importance of pursuing virtue over wealth. Plato, in his writings, often spoke of the ideal life not as one of material abundance, but of a life devoted to the pursuit of wisdom, the cultivation of the soul, and the practice of justice. To live a successful life, according to Plato, was to engage in the development of one’s inner character, to be virtuous, and to serve others. Schwab’s words align with this ancient wisdom. The thrill of life is not found in the endless accumulation of wealth, but in the growth of the self, in the relationships we nurture, and in the good we do for others. In fact, wealth, in the sense of money, is nothing more than a byproduct of life’s efforts, a mere tool that can either serve us or enslave us, depending on how we choose to wield it.

There are countless stories throughout history of men and women who, though wealthy in material terms, lived lives of emptiness. Consider the tale of Alexander the Great, who, though he conquered the known world and amassed great riches, was ultimately left with a sense of loss. His empire, built on the riches of countless lands, could not fill the void he felt within. In his final days, surrounded by treasures and accolades, he lamented that his wealth and power could not bring him the peace he sought. This, too, is the lesson that Schwab imparts to us—wealth is but a fleeting shadow, a mirage on the horizon that may seem to promise joy, but in the end, it is the satisfaction of the soul, the peace of mind, and the love of those around us that truly define a successful life.

The true success that Schwab speaks of is the ability to find joy in life’s simple pleasures, to seek purpose beyond material gain, and to build a life that brings fulfillment in the deepest sense. Consider the example of Socrates, who lived a life of simplicity, rejecting wealth and luxury in favor of philosophical wisdom. Though he had little in the way of material possessions, his life was rich in meaning and legacy. Socrates’ success was not in the gold he could amass, but in the knowledge he imparted to his students, the questions he raised, and the virtue he embodied. His life serves as a beacon for all who seek to understand that true wealth is found not in things, but in the pursuit of wisdom and virtue.

The lesson we take from Schwab’s words is both simple and profound: money is not the measure of a successful life. It is but a fleeting tool, a piece of the larger puzzle of existence. To live a truly successful life, we must seek what is lasting—meaning, purpose, virtue, and the development of our inner selves. We must not be captured by the illusions of wealth, but rather, we must focus on what brings true joy—the relationships we build, the goodness we contribute to the world, and the wisdom we gain through our struggles.

Let us take Schwab’s wisdom into our own lives. Let us not chase after the fleeting promises of wealth, but instead, let us seek the richness of character, the abundance of love, and the joy that comes from living a life aligned with our deepest values. In this, we will find the true meaning of success, one that no amount of money can buy, but that can be earned through a lifetime of purposeful living. Let us live with the understanding that the true measure of a life well-lived is not the size of our bank account, but the depth of our soul and the impact we have on the world around us.