Now it is time to turn to an older wisdom that, while respecting

“Now it is time to turn to an older wisdom that, while respecting material comfort and security as a basic right of all, also recognises that many of the most valuable things in life cannot be measured.” These words from Michael D. Higgins resonate with the timeless truths passed down from the ancients. Material comfort and security are indeed fundamental to human flourishing — they are the bedrock upon which we build our lives. Yet, wisdom teaches us that true value does not lie in what can be counted, weighed, or bought. The most valuable things in life — love, honor, compassion, and inner peace — cannot be measured by material means. They reside in the intangible, the unseen forces that guide our hearts and shape our souls.

In the ancient world, philosophers like Plato and Aristotle spoke of the pursuit of the good life, one not bound by material wealth, but by virtue, knowledge, and the cultivation of the soul. Plato believed that true happiness and fulfillment came not from wealth or possessions, but from the pursuit of wisdom and the cultivation of moral character. To him, the philosopher was the one who sought the eternal truths that could not be quantified. Similarly, Aristotle spoke of the golden mean, the balanced life that transcends excess and material obsession. Both understood that material comfort could help sustain life, but it was the development of virtue, justice, and understanding that gave life meaning.

Consider the story of Leonardo da Vinci, a man whose genius transcended the material. Though da Vinci lived in an era where wealth and status were the measures of success, he sought something greater — the understanding of the human form, the mysteries of nature, and the secrets of the universe. His wisdom was not about accumulating wealth, but about discovering and expressing the deeper truths that governed the world. His countless sketches, inventions, and philosophical writings were invaluable, not because they brought him material wealth, but because they embodied an eternal quest for knowledge and understanding, unmeasurable by gold or land.

Higgins calls us back to this ancient wisdom, reminding us that there is more to life than what can be counted or owned. In our modern world, where the pursuit of wealth often takes center stage, we must remember that true value lies in the things that cannot be bought — the bonds we share with others, the joy of discovery, the sense of peace that comes with living in alignment with our highest selves. These are the treasures that, though intangible, give life its deepest meaning.

In a more recent example, Mahatma Gandhi embodied this understanding in his rejection of material wealth and his embrace of spiritual and ethical values. Though he lived in relative simplicity, Gandhi’s wisdom shaped a nation and ignited a movement. His life was a testament to the fact that security and comfort are necessary for survival, but the goodness of life is measured by something far deeper: the ability to live with integrity, compassion, and a commitment to justice.

Thus, let us heed Higgins' call to turn toward the older wisdom, the wisdom that sees beyond the physical and material. As we pursue the comforts of life, let us not forget that the richest experiences come not from what we possess, but from what we give, what we learn, and what we share. True wealth is found not in gold or property, but in the intangible virtues that live in the heart and guide our actions.