What is More Important in Life: Wealth or Intelligence?
@Gabugs (1895)
United States
December 8, 2015 7:54pm CST
Both, wealth and intelligence are important as they enable us to lead a good life. However, there’s only so much one can do with money. It can enable you to provide for your family. It can give your kids good education and a better start in life. It can enable you to live comfortably and make provisions for your retirement among several other benefits. But can money by itself, make a person intelligent?
Perhaps money can help a person be educated, go to college and earn a degree. However, not all persons with degrees are necessarily intelligent or successful in life. Are they?
I would certainly vote for intelligence. Here is why: Even if an intelligent person is not wealthy, he/she can find ways to earn money and become wealthy. Today, there are so many options available for any person to use his intelligence, work hard and come up in life On the other hand, if a person is not intelligent but wealthy, he/she would run the risk of being led astray by others and go downhill in life.
If given a choice, what do you think would be more important in life?
15 people like this
16 responses
@Syllogism (206)
• China
9 Dec 15
I think it depends on one's desire and interest.
A wealthy man can make trips all around the world and enjoy the most special scenes and local foods,now even a trip to the space is optional.While the intelligent man can enjoy the beauty of science, the Maxwell's equations for example, which a wealthy man may never heard of and would never understand.
Also, a wealthy man may run a company and be pround of providing thousands of jobs for other people; while a intelligent man solve the intelligent problems in his work and even benifit mankind by contributing to the progress of science
5 people like this
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
9 Dec 15
A wealthy man could successfully run a company only if he is intelligent.
3 people like this
@Syllogism (206)
• China
9 Dec 15
@dpk262006
well, how do you define intelligent?Intelligece only means IQ or also include EQ?A man with a high EQ but plain IQ may run a successful company as well,but a man with high IQ but low EQ would probably fail.
4 people like this
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
9 Dec 15
@Syllogism - Intelligence includes everything here, my intention was not to refer to its literal meaning only.
3 people like this
@rocky1980 (530)
• Chandigarh, India
9 Dec 15
I'd like to have both. This is not necessary that all intelligent become wealthy in life. Some intelligent people even don't much opportunity in life to become wealthy and yet people around always praise that guy for his intelligence.
4 people like this
@rocky1980 (530)
• Chandigarh, India
10 Dec 15
@Gabugs I am just sharing my view. After what I have seen in this world and experienced, I have written my comments. I read @dpk262006 comment too. If one is only rich and not wise, he would employ Business and Financial Experts who would take care of his wealth. He doesn't need to take care of his wealth. I think rich people who are dumb but still they are wise enough to hire such highly educated people on a good salary, who would happily do it for him that is manage is wealth. this what happens in this world.
1 person likes this
@Gabugs (1895)
• United States
10 Dec 15
@rocky1980 It may be happening in the world, but I do beg to differ partly.
What happens to this person's wealth when these so-called "EXPERTS" ditch him and usurp all his wealth??What happens when the salary is not good enough for these greedy Business and Financial Experts? Only an intelligent person would be in the position to foresee this and arrest it from happening. Agreed?
2 people like this
@Gabugs (1895)
• United States
9 Dec 15
@rocky1980 Of course you would, like everyone else. But in reality, this does not always happen with all individuals. If you read my query carefully, please note what is MORE important to you between wealth and money.
On your second point, it may be true to a degree.But I strongly believe that if a person is intelligent, he/she will find do everything possible to get " much opportunity in life to become wealthy." [or at least make enough money to lead a comfortable life.]
4 people like this
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
9 Dec 15
Yes, you are right that if one is intelligent and he is not rich, he could become rich using his intelligence. On the other hand, if one has acquired money but is not wise, he will lose his wealth in due course of time.
3 people like this
@Gabugs (1895)
• United States
9 Dec 15
@dpk262006 As always, you have summed it all up perfectly here. KUDOS!
3 people like this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
9 Dec 15
I have a degree in literature and philosophy - I struggle to get work and the income it can generate for being regarded as over-qualified but I would rather have the brains than not
4 people like this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
9 Dec 15
@Gabugs very true - I would still need something to do even if I was a billionaire
3 people like this
@Gabugs (1895)
• United States
9 Dec 15
@arthurchappell It looks like we have similar educational background except that I also have a teachers certificate. But that does not necessarily entail that I can be deemed wealthy or rich. I am happy with what I can do for myself and my family and what I have achieved through hard work. There is no substitute for hard work even if you are wealthy.
4 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
9 Dec 15
I have never cared about wealth, as long as I have enough for the basics and to do whatever I want, I don't need more.
4 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
9 Dec 15
@Gabugs I try to share the blessing that I have received. But I never go looking for wealth what we have we earnd the hard way and saved.
3 people like this
@Gabugs (1895)
• United States
10 Dec 15
@BelleStarr Sharing is akin to caring. I'm sure your gesture is always appreciated.
2 people like this
@Gabugs (1895)
• United States
9 Dec 15
I commend you for your attitude @bellestarr- - especially in the light of so much poverty around us. Why should we indulge in material things, covet wealthy people and even teach our kids the same???
3 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38723)
• Midland, Michigan
10 Dec 15
Oh, all right, I guess you made your point. And, there are many wealthy individuals that didn't gain their own wealth, but inherited it. Some of them squander their riches until they don't have what's needed anymore.
Personally, I would like to eventually have a bit more than what I actually need. I'd like to be able to help people out when there's a need, which I can't do at present.
4 people like this
@Gabugs (1895)
• United States
10 Dec 15
I understand @marshamusselman your good intentions. May God provide you with enough to share and help others in need.
3 people like this
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
10 Dec 15
I think intelligence is more important than wealth. With intelligence you have the means you need to achieve anything a wealthy person can. If you're intelligent, you also know how to make yourself wealthy. Of course as many unintelligent people there are in the world, I might pick wealth in hopes that I would be too ignorant to know how stupid other people are.
1 person likes this
@Gabugs (1895)
• United States
11 Dec 15
@jabo You'd be sadly surprised that some people do downrate themselves and believe they are NOT intelligent. Perhaps, its stray remarks from their parents/family or teachers. Once this is dinned into the children's head, they begin to feel inadequate and inferior. The IQ tests taken also add to the burden. Once the harm is done, its difficult for them to feel on par with others in their adult lves.
1 person likes this
@softbabe44 (5816)
• Vancouver, Washington
9 Dec 15
There are a lot of people out there some have wealth and intelligence you can even have that when you work hard to use your money to make things better or some think their all that because they are wealthy.
3 people like this
@Gabugs (1895)
• United States
9 Dec 15
@softbabe44 Yes, you are right. You can certainly have both- - - intelligence and wealth. But there is a possibility of losing one's wealth if he/she is NOT intelligent enough to retain it.
3 people like this
@Gabugs (1895)
• United States
10 Dec 15
@bellatricks You are right in a way. However, let me reiterate that gaining wealth should not be one one's ultimate goal. Don't you agree?
1 person likes this
@Gabugs (1895)
• United States
10 Dec 15
@auntylou I see that you have a balanced perspective on this issue. Too much wealth does increase one's stress; on the other hand, with more spare money around, one can help those in need.
My prayer is that ALL myLotters are able to stay comfortable throughout their lifetime.
1 person likes this
@kyrararen (601)
• Indonesia
14 Dec 15
is there really that kind of choices? I can't separate one from the other one. seriously, if you want to live comfortably, it is undeniable that you need wealth,though sure intelligence makes life easier.
though for me it is inseparable, those two things are different. they can serve for different purpose.
ok, I am beating around the bush. I think EVERYONE has intelligence though may differ in level and field. But not with wealth. if there's such option, oh yeah, I will go by the wealth. success comes from willingness and devotion, wealth though helps a lot.
@kyrararen (601)
• Indonesia
15 Dec 15
@Gabugs oh. well, it is hard question as both of them are not that important, you see. I agree with He Yin's comment that this depends one's interests and desire. as for me, intelligence and wealth both doesn't matter much. intelligence and wealth in goodness is more important.
1 person likes this
@Gabugs (1895)
• United States
14 Dec 15
@kyrararen Kindly note that the discussion is based on what is MORE important to you. You are NOT asked to choose between wealth and intelligence.
@DeborahDiane (40092)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Dec 15
I think it is best to have a little of each and not too much of either. 
1 person likes this
@Gabugs (1895)
• United States
10 Dec 15
@deborahdiane Yes, you are right dear. But, would that not be an ideal happening one could hope for?
Life unfortunately is not always idealistic, but realistic. So, we would need to maintain a balance and not go overboard and make use of whatever is ordained for us. Would that be possible for us? I wonder.
