poverty: destiny or one's own fault?

Philippines
November 11, 2008 9:12am CST
do you think poverty should be blamed on one's destiny (some claim that if one's fate is to be poor, he cannot do anything to change it) or should it be blamed on one's self for not trying to improve his/her financial status? i believe it is the latter... as the old adage goes, "it is not your fault if you were born poor but it is your fault if you die poor..."
1 person likes this
2 responses
• Philippines
16 Dec 08
i agree... there are so many living examples for this...being less fortunate in life isnt a huge reason for u not to be successful.. it depends on ur will,determination and how u want urself to be in the near future.... one senator on my country(philippines) was born poor.. very poor... but now he is one of the most top businessman n my country aside from being a senator... he went to school with no shoes..read books with the use of candles n the night as his guide..never refuses to absent just because of the reason he got no money on his pocket.. he strived hard.. worked and studied at the same.. educate himself.. why do u think he succeeded on his life? because he got a goal from afar.. and every step he is taking was a step to his goal.. he made it.. why cant other people...
@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
12 Nov 08
I think that most people can do something to improve their financial situation, but it depends on a lot of things. Some people have access to things and opportunities that other people don't have. Having the will to improve the situation is not always enough, but I still think that most people have the chance to improve their situation in one way or another. If a person believes that poverty is his fate and that he can't change it, he will often remain passive. ("Why bother trying? I can't change the situation, I was meant to live in poverty") I would say that a person who reacts this way doesn't take responsibility for his own life. I think that your fate (or whatever I should call it) provides you with certain frames but it is up to you how you live you life within these frames.