Money

Post 127 Money is not the chaser but the chased

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, or better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American author and humourist. Mark Twain became my favourite writer when his novel “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” was used as reader for our English literature class in Form One in 1959. I like Tom Sawyer for his imagination and mischievous character. This quote on money was a gem and hilarious when he said, “I am opposed to millionaires, but it would be dangerous to offer me the position.”

It is interesting to note that the word ‘money’ can be associated with words like ‘chase’ and ’run’. “Good money chasing bad money”, “Run out of money”, and “Banks on the run” are a few examples. Money is the main motivator behind one's economic actions. No one will work for free. The reverse is true. One would demand more for the work done. The strikes by government servants, executives and workers in the private sector for more pay show that they want to be reasonably remunerated in exchange for their efforts and contributions put in.

No one is opposed to millionaires or billionaires, with Mark Twain taking no exception. Millionaires or billionaires deserve to be what they are if they earn them legally and honestly. Those who chase after ill-gotten gains will have shame running after them. Their gains will be pyrrhic.

Money is not the chaser but the chased. – Ho Nee Yong

17 January 2012