Better to be born lucky than rich?

grahamg

grahamg

Old codger
Location
South of Manchester, UK
Good luck is obviously important in life, (if you think such a thing exists, and it isn't just hard work gets you anywhere?).

However, would you rather be born rich or lucky, (both would be nice obviously, but which one shades it in terms of importance?)?

I'd say I've been lucky in life, though not universally so, (if that makes sense).

"Rich" I'll keep to myself, (canny to do so I believe), but I'd suggest being lucky slightly shades wealth, though I dont wish poverty on myself or others of course. :)
 

I will say "lucky" never been rich in money but still was blessed to have a wonderful husband, a brilliant son. A home, a car, food, healthcare. I call that lucky in my mind. Not everyone gets rich because they don't know what "rich" means. Geez, guess I was lucky and rich!!
 
Another way of looking at it is that a person can be considered lucky if they are born rich. I don’t know what you consider as being rich, but I was very lucky that my grandfather came to this country from Greece as a professional fighter. After a few years, he was injured while in the ring and was told to quit fighting.

He took his winnings he saved over the years and opened a restaurant. Ten years later, he had five restaurants. Back in those days, people could make good money owning restaurants. My grandfather made a major decision to go in on a business deal with another investor and together they opened a huge night club in the Pittsburgh area, which quickly became a huge success. Just a few years later, the other investor offered to buy out my grandfather’s entire business and he was ready to sell.

My father told my sister and me this story. He finished by telling us this is how our family has what we do because our grandfather was a very shrewd business person. Growing up, I knew very little about our family’s financial picture. I thought my dad made a lot of money being in the Army. I was very young and very dumb about these things. My parents didn’t discuss talking about money matters to us kids. We didn’t get everything we wanted, but if we needed something, we would probably get it.

I still remember my best friend got a new sled because his old one broke. I told Dad that Bruce got a new sled and I thought I should get one too. My dad wasn’t going along with that. He asked me what’s wrong with the one I have and I said nothing. He said I should be glad to have a sled, so go and enjoy it.
 

I've been at a farm sale in Cheshire, UK today, and some local farmers were talking about the way their own fathers treated them whilst they were growing up. One said his father, after a very good harvest had been gathered in, and the son was expecting a bit of a break from work, but this didn't happen, as his father couldn't stand anyone being idle, so set him on a new job mending fences, and cutting hedges.

Those were the days, no doubt all fairly well off families, though not about to start wasting their money or their time, and maybe they were lucky to be so well trained! :)
 
I think it's lucky to be born rich. I'm not rich and I am lucky for my son & grandson. My mother used to say "It's just as easy to fall for a rich man than a poor man." In the meantime, she gave me no lessons to do so and she married the poorest guy she could find and got lucky with that choice.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
If you're rich enough, you do not need to be lucky.
Click to expand...
IDK. You can lose it all you know. It happens. Wars, financial reversals. But I always equate luck with material wealth because if you are truly lucky wouldn't you win money frequently and with luck on your side, you would have perfect timing for acquiring wealth through investments. Can I be old money instead? Those folks never run out of money. grey pearls 4 T.jpgswell life BW pearls 2.jpgSunday swell life 9.jpg
 
I would have chosen lucky but, thinking about it, luck is a thing of chance; you might buy a lottery ticket and get lucky but, if you never buy a ticket you will never know how lucky you might have been had you bought one :unsure: I think I would choose rich and make my own luck ;):)
 
Last edited:
Nathan said:
What is "luck"? Sounds like something that is totally out of the hands of us mere mortals. Maybe being lucky is to have a parent that taught you good sense, which would enhance you chances of survival by making good choices, like looking both ways before crossing the street.
Click to expand...
Don't you think of luck as something abstract, not practical, such as games of chance or who gets shot and killed in a war and the guy standing next to him survives. This is arbitrary? :unsure:
 
Nathan said:
What is "luck"? Sounds like something that is totally out of the hands of us mere mortals. Maybe being lucky is to have a parent that taught you good sense, which would enhance you chances of survival by making good choices, like looking both ways before crossing the street.
Click to expand...
Didn't Napoleon Bonaparte say he wanted "lucky generals", (guys who seemed to succeed against the odds or something, but perhaps it is iplied there was more to their "luck" than met the eye). :)

Quote:
"When Napoleon Bonaparte was criticised for winning battles simply because of luck, he famously retorted: “I'd rather have lucky generals than good ones.” More than a hundred years later, Eisenhower reaffirmed this point by saying: “I'd rather have a lucky general than a smart general. They win battles.”"
 
chic said:
IDK. You can lose it all you know. It happens. Wars, financial reversals. But I always equate luck with material wealth because if you are truly lucky wouldn't you win money frequently and with luck on your side, you would have perfect timing for acquiring wealth through investments. Can I be old money instead? Those folks never run out of money. View attachment 262212View attachment 262213View attachment 262214
Click to expand...
Are there not some incredibly rich folks who have stated they do not intend to give their money to their children, because it would rob them of the need to strive in the lives, (Richard Branson springs to mind). :)
 
grahamg said:
Are there not some incredibly rich folks who have stated they do not intend to give their money to their children, because it would rob them of the need to strive in the lives, (Richard Branson springs to mind). :)
Click to expand...
I don't think they "strive" in the same way as we average folks do. :giggle:
 
it amazes me when islanders prefer store bought rather than reaching out and picking fruit off the tree or prefer tv over the sound of the waves.

i've done well and made a decent living catching certain trends and acting on a hunch. making money and spending only to need more. no matter how much i made it never was enough for that next ultimate toy or property.

over the years it occured to me that it wasn't necessary to own stuff outright as long as i had access. that's when i realized how lucky one can be if it was left to serendipity...

0109231557.jpg
 
oldman said:
Another way of looking at it is that a person can be considered lucky if they are born rich. I don’t know what you consider as being rich, but I was very lucky that my grandfather came to this country from Greece as a professional fighter. After a few years, he was injured while in the ring and was told to quit fighting.

He took his winnings he saved over the years and opened a restaurant. Ten years later, he had five restaurants. Back in those days, people could make good money owning restaurants. My grandfather made a major decision to go in on a business deal with another investor and together they opened a huge night club in the Pittsburgh area, which quickly became a huge success. Just a few years later, the other investor offered to buy out my grandfather’s entire business and he was ready to sell.

My father told my sister and me this story. He finished by telling us this is how our family has what we do because our grandfather was a very shrewd business person. Growing up, I knew very little about our family’s financial picture. I thought my dad made a lot of money being in the Army. I was very young and very dumb about these things. My parents didn’t discuss talking about money matters to us kids. We didn’t get everything we wanted, but if we needed something, we would probably get it.

I still remember my best friend got a new sled because his old one broke. I told Dad that Bruce got a new sled and I thought I should get one too. My dad wasn’t going along with that. He asked me what’s wrong with the one I have and I said nothing. He said I should be glad to have a sled, so go and enjoy it.
Click to expand...
Yet another way to look at it is if you're lucky enough, you might win the lottery and become rich. 🤑 The lucky person who wins the Mega Millions now will (technically) be a billionaire.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top