I once had a driver who had a big ego. Many usually thought he was the owner of the car because I sit in front, on the passenger’s seat. You’ll never catch me sitting at the ‘owner’s corner’—a habit I picked up during my Standard Trust Bank days.
Many times, we’ve had policemen stop us, and they talked to him like the owner of the vehicle while I just kept quiet and watched. He was always well dressed in a suit, and he had a massive frame, so it was easy to concentrate on him and ignore any other person in the car, especially when I never sat at the back.
Whenever he was behind the wheel, I had to caution him oftentimes because he was always too aggressive. He would never allow anyone to get in before him, and he would hardly give the right of way to others, including women, regardless of their pleas. Even in cases where elderly people wanted to cross the road, this guy would never stop unless I shouted at him to do so. One day, I told him in Yoruba that “Olówó ẹ máa burú gan-an o!” (if he becomes rich, he will be a very wicked rich man).
Money has a way of amplifying one’s vices. If you are infatuated with women and you have good money without the necessary discipline, you’ll satisfy the basest of instincts. Ask Solomon. Or what will one man do with 700 wives and 300 concubines? Solomon’s body count was directly proportional to the depth of his pocket.
Money doesn't change who you are; it reveals who you've always been. Share on XIf a man is greedy, money will amplify the greed. When money becomes surplus, the greedy man’s covetousness will know no boundaries. The reverse is true as well. Money amplifies the goodness of any man. Put good money in the hands of a good man, and he will spread goodness all over. Money reveals the depth of one’s character.
That is why the Yorubas have a proverb to the effect that a poor man is exhibiting someone else’s character (ẹni tí ò lówó, ìwà oníwà ló n hù). So I suspect the humility of a poor man. That humility is only confirmed when he has access to wealth and still remains humble. Money reveals your true character.
Like power, money intoxicates. Just a whiff of it, and many will start to misbehave. Money reveals the heart of man. Money confirms what you actually believe. Let me close this with the words of Apostle Femi Lazarus: “If a man is stingy now, it is not more money that will make him benevolent. Someone who is generous will be generous with little.”
This write up is spot on Greater Bayo. I’ve heard of many people with a lot of money but with modest lifestyles and behaviour. There was a problem in a church I attended once and there was need for a lot of money. Those with big cars were just grandstanding but the person who actually paid for the matter drove one of the simplest cars you find around. I feel that a person who can’t manage riches in a sensible manner remain mentally poor. QED!
Very true
Very much true. It’s funny how it’s also applicable to power. My dad will say what you won’t take while you’re rich you’ll start rejecting it while poor.
Money just enhances whatever behavior you have.