“Anyway, no drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we’re looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn’t test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power.”—P.J. O’Rourke
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During my high school years, I had the opportunity to read Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s first novel, Noli Me Tangere. The title is derived from the words spoken by Jesus Christ to Mary Magdalene following His resurrection: “Touch me not,” He instructed, “for I am not yet ascended to my Father” (John 20:17).
However, it was Rizal’s subsequent work, El Filibusterismo, that truly captivated my interest. In this novel, he vividly portrayed the avarice of the leaders of his time, which likely explains why it was aptly subtitled The Reign of Greed.
“Greed has three facets: love of things, love of fame, and love of pleasure,” said Paul Martin. All these facets can be attacked directly with frugality, anonymity, and moderation. “Reduction of greed,” he pointed out, “will be translated into stepped-up vitality, diminished self-centeredness, and a clear awareness of our real identity.”
What really is greed? Let me tell you a story, which I got from the book, 1000 Stories You Can Use by Fr. Frank Mihalic. A big dog had stolen a big piece of meat from the butcher and was running home with it as fast as the animal could. The dog came to a stream with a plank across it, looked down into the water and saw a very strange thing. Down there, there was another dog with another piece of meat.
“Aha,” the dog thought. “What’s this: a dog with a piece of meat even bigger than mine down there! I’ll take it away from that dog.”
So, the big dog dropped his mouth to grab the other dog’s piece of meat and plop, the piece of meat fell right down into the bottom of the stream. The big dog kept looking down into the water and now the big dog saw that the down there had no meat either. So, both had lost their dinner – both the dog and the dog’s reflection in the water.
We have a Tagalog saying that goes something like this: “Ang naghangad ng kagitna, isang salop ang nawala.”
Here’s another one: A businessman overtook two travelers. One was greedy and the other was jealous. When they came to the parting of ways, the merchant said he wanted to give them a parting gift. Whoever made a wish first, would have his wish fulfilled. But the other man would get a double portion of what the first had asked for.
Each waited and waited for the other fellow to wish first. Finally, the greedy man took the envious man by the throat and threatened to choke him unless he made his wish. So, the envious man said, “All right, I wish to be blind in one eye.”
At once, he lost the sight of one eye, while his companion lost both.
Election time is approaching fast. And there are more people who cling to power. They don’t want others to take the fame they experienced when they were still government officials. “Wealth is like sea-water; the more we drink, the thirstier we become; and the same is true of fame,” commented German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer.
Don’t be greedy. “Every single ancient wisdom and religion will tell you the same thing: Don’t live entirely for yourself; live for other people,” urged Barbara Ward. “Think what it means in concrete terms. Don’t get stuck inside your own ego, because it will become a prison in no time flat – and don’t think that self-realization will make you happy. That is the way you will end in your own hell.”
“Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction,” reminded American psychologist Erich Fromm.
A long time ago, there was an Emperor who told his horseman that if he could ride on his horse and cover as much land area as he likes, then the Emperor would give him the area of land he has covered.
Sure enough, the horseman quickly jumped onto his horse and rode as fast as possible to cover as much land area as he could. He kept on riding and riding, whipping the horse to go as fast as possible. When he was hungry or tired, he did not stop because he wanted to cover as much area as possible. He had covered a substantial area and he was exhausted and was dying.
Then he asked himself, “Why did I push myself so hard to cover so much land area? Now I am dying and I only need a very small area to bury myself.”
The above story is similar to the journey of our life. We push very hard every day to make more money, to gain power and recognition. We neglect our health, time with our family and to appreciate the surrounding beauty and the hobbies we love.
At some point in the future, we will reflect and understand that our needs are not as extensive as we once believed. However, we cannot turn back time to relive the moments we have overlooked. Life transcends the pursuit of wealth, power, or fame; it is certainly not solely about labor. Work serves merely as a means to sustain our existence, allowing us to appreciate the beauty and joys that life offers.
Life requires a harmonious blend of work and leisure, as well as time for family and personal pursuits. It is essential to determine how you wish to achieve this balance. Establish your priorities, recognize what you can forgo, but always allow your instincts to guide some of your choices.
The essence and purpose of life lie in happiness and love, which represent the ultimate goals of human existence. Conversely, selfishness and hatred embody the darkness and despair that can overshadow life. Therefore, approach life with ease, pursue your passions, and cherish the wonders of nature. Life is delicate and fleeting; do not take it for granted. Strive for a balanced lifestyle, savor each moment, and remember to avoid greed.
The words of Mahatma Gandhi comes handy: “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.”
