I can’t call wealth anything better than the baggage of virtue. The Romans had a fitting word for it: impedimenta, meaning something that both supports and hinders. Like a travelling army carrying weapons & supplies , riches are necessary but burdensome. They can’t be left behind, but they slow your progress. Sometimes, they even cause you to lose sight of your goals. Great wealth, in truth, is only valuable when it’s shared. The rest of it is just an illusion. As Solomon wisely said, “Where much is, there are many to consume it; and what does the owner gain, other than the pleasure of looking at it?”
A person can’t truly use vast riches. You can only guard them, give them away, or be known for having them. That’s about it. Look at how people assign absurd prices to little trinkets and rare items, or spend fortunes on extravagant displays just to make their wealth seem useful. Some argue that riches can save you from trouble, as Solomon again remarked: “Riches are a stronghold in the imagination of the rich.” But notice the key word—imagination. Often, wealth causes more trouble than it solves. More men have been ruined by riches than rescued by them.
Don’t chase wealth out of pride. Seek the kind of riches you can earn honestly, spend modestly, share generously, and leave behind contentedly. At the same time, don’t treat wealth with contempt, as if it’s inherently evil. As Cicero said of Rabirius Posthumus: “His goal in accumulating wealth was not greed but a tool for doing good.” And heed Solomon’s warning: “He who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.” The poets imagined that when Jupiter sends riches, they come slowly, but when Pluto (god of the underworld) sends them, they come quickly. This means wealth earned through hard work and honest means is slow to grow, but wealth from inheritance or shady dealings floods in quickly. Similarly, riches gained through dishonesty or exploitation may appear fast, but they come with a price.
There are many ways to get rich, and most aren’t clean. Parsimony—living frugally—is among the best, though even that has its flaws, as it can discourage generosity. Agriculture and land improvement are natural and steady sources of wealth, as the earth itself is a blessing. Yet even these methods take time. I knew an English nobleman who amassed incredible wealth through farming, timber, mining, and other industries. His lands seemed like an endless sea of income. Someone once observed wisely, “It’s hard to make the first bit of money, but easy to make a lot once you’ve started.” When you have enough resources to dominate markets and take on opportunities others can’t afford, your wealth grows rapidly.
Ordinary trades and jobs are respectable ways to earn, relying on diligence and a reputation for fairness. But profits from crafty bargains—taking advantage of others’ desperation or manipulating deals—are more dubious. Buying goods just to resell at a profit often hurts both buyer and seller. Partnerships can be lucrative, provided you trust the right people. Usury (lending at high interest) is a reliable way to make money, but it’s morally dubious, as it profits from others’ labor and struggles.
Fortune often favors those who are first in a new invention or business. Look at the first sugar merchant in the Canaries—he gained immense riches. If you can combine good judgment with creativity, and the timing is right, you can achieve great things. However, relying only on safe, predictable gains won’t make you very rich, just as gambling everything on risky ventures often leads to ruin. Balance risk and certainty to protect yourself from losses.
Monopolies and stockpiling goods before they’re in demand can lead to great wealth, especially if you have insider knowledge about future trends. Wealth gained through service can be honorable, but when it’s earned by flattery, indulging egos, or other degrading means, it becomes shameful. The worst is profiting from manipulating wills or inheritances, as Tacitus accused Seneca of doing.
Don’t trust those who claim to despise riches—they usually do so out of bitterness or envy. And when they finally get wealth, they are often the worst at managing it. Be smart with your money—riches are fleeting. Sometimes they disappear on their own; other times, you must spend them to earn more.
When leaving your wealth behind, moderate portions work best, whether for your family or public causes. A vast fortune left to an heir can be a trap, attracting opportunists if the heir lacks wisdom or maturity. Similarly, extravagant charitable donations after death can be hollow gestures—like tasteless sacrifices or empty shows of generosity. Instead, give while you’re alive, thoughtfully and intentionally. Otherwise, you’re just being generous with what is no longer yours.
Bacon Blueprint 