When a man begins his career in right earnest, he
is attracted by two forces, namely wealth or fame. He has to fix his aim on
either of them, for, to get both of them is very difficult, if not impossible.
Wealth is more attractive than fame. “Money,” said
a witty Frenchman. “Is the Sovereign of Sovereigns?” Money gives us the means
of acquiring what we wish. We can enjoy ourselves dainty dishes, put on
fashionable clothes, reside in palatial buildings, get best entertainments,
visit foreign countries, and have numerous other luxuries with the help of wealth.
If we have money, we can help our friends and relative in ‘distress.
From this point of view, fame is surpassed by
wealth. Fame cannot procure any of these things for us. We often find famous
persons in the grip of financial difficulties. Love of wealth makes us
industrious. A philosopher has rightly said that our present progress in all
the spheres of life is due to the love of wealth. More love of fame in a few of
us would have kept us in darkness.
All the same love of fame is nobler than the love
of money. In acquiring or rather amassing wealth, we often have to adopt
dishonest means. We have to flatter one man, bride another and deceive the
third. Generally it is not so in acquiring fame. A poet or a painter cannot get
fame by dishonest methods. But in the sphere of politics, some persons do adopt
underhand practices for coming in limelight. Wealth leads to various views,
while fame does not entourage them. This does not mean that famous men have no
vices. But they have to avoid vices to maintain their fame. Wealth is a burden.
While fame is like a light feather.
A man who is after wealth, wants wealth at any
cost. We have heard of many examples of persons who have betrayed their country’
for the sake of money. Famous persons may be selfish in their on way, but they
know. That their fame depends upon their merit, and have thus to behave in certain
way. Betrayal by them of their country will soon change their fame into
notoriety. Wealth implies on merit in the persons possessing it. Though in
flattery we describe him possessing many qualities of head and heart. As
against this fame implies some merit. One may become wealthy by accident. Hut
it is difficult to get fame in that way. A poet a painter a politician, a
scientist or a social worker has to show his worth before he becomes famous.
Wealth is temporary while fame is stable. A wealthy
person may lose his shaft by one day or another any day. Bui fame will not be
lost so quickly. If a man is careful he can not only maintain his fame, but can
also enhance it. Some wealthy men become famous, but their fame is lost with
their wealth. Some famous men do get wealth but they maintain their fame even
when they lose wealth. A wealthy man is respected in his on circle. While a
famous man is respected wherever he is known. A healthy man is soon forgotten
after his death, while the fragrance of fame smells sweet and blossoms in the
dust. The heirs of a wealthy man get wealth and often turn out fools, while the
heirs of a famous men work hard to maintain that fame.
sometimes fame acts as a current coin. Qua id-i-Azam
had no wealth, but his own word was enough to fetch million of rupees at his
feet. He gave food to the starving clothes to the naked and shelters to the destitute
thought a penny in his pocket.
If I can get both fame and wealth, I would
certainly like to have both of them. But fame without wealth is better than
wealth with out fame. I shall prefer fame to wealth.