March 3, 2025
Wealth and Happiness
Happiness depends on the individual: Christian
martyrs were happy to be devoured by wild beasts because they believed it would
grant them eternal bliss. Saint Francis considered perfect joy to be in the
company of Sister Poverty.
More commonly, we are happy when a woman says yes to us, when a child succeeds,
and for many other reasons.
Wealth, or rather prosperity, does not in itself bring happiness, but the
question is whether it is preferable to poverty.
Almost everyone says it is preferable—Saint Francises are exceptions.