It is so easy to condemn the rich and powerful for their acquisitiveness and greed. I love this story by Tolstoy as it shows so clearly how the fear of loss of the power that compels the accumulation and retention of riches, whether land or other types of wealth controls people. As a peasant the young man is sure that he would be a good landlord, as a plutocrat he sees the World differently. An economist who I met a few years ago said “For all the real good that their money actually does the super rich, they might as well be sitting on a pile of newspaper”. Being rich can visibly or sometimes risibly enhance personal comfort but it cannot take away your basic transience. You are only here for a short period and whatever you do needs to make your memory less transient within the realms of uplifting society than you are yourself.
Wonderful comment. I find it so fascinating how quickly acquisitiveness and greed lose their luster without fear of loss. Its doubly fascinating how poorly getting more soothes that fear.
Enlightened souls in south india, more precisely Tamilnadu are called "Siddhars". Pattinathar was one such Siddhar, he was a wealthy merchant who got enlightened and entered the path of spirituality when he recieved a box from his son who was sailing with his merchandise. Inside was a note that read " Kaathtra Oosiyum Vaarathu Kaan Kadai Vazhike" which means even a needle with a broken eye doesn't come with us when we leave. If we truly understand the meaning of this sentence, the lust for land would die a natural death. For centuries Kingdoms have expanded to take more and more land whether it was Chengiz Khan, Alexander or Chandrgupta Maurya eventually all Dynasties collapsed. Its the nature of the human psyche. Owning Land means owning the universe. Now we are done with Earth,we are on the quest of capturing land on the moon. Soon Land on moon would be on Sale for the Super Rich to build resorts for them to spend a day as Space Travel becomes a reality...How much land is needed very precisely 6ft x 3ft whether you are burned or buried..
Yes, I have the privilege to even be thinking of this, but leaving that aside, for quite a number of years I have focussed on editing my life rather than adding to it, to have enough, and no more than enough.
I often wonder if the oligarchs and authoritarians ever ask themselves any version of this question. But then I remember I need to continually ask it of myself first.
Agreed Jan. I find it hard to judge the rich for long (despite the thrill of moral superiority). Given the chance most of us over consume - I chalk it up partly to how groundless and existentially challenging life is. Even the richest know they will lose everything in the end so they grasp. I chalk part of it up to evolution never preparing us for modern life. We can only keep each other in check with the help of those around us. I'd write a story called "How Much Land Can a Man Legally Own?"
While I agree that greed has the power to consume people and has clearly wreaked unfathomable havoc on the existence of countless people through the course of human history, I would caution against a zero-sum attitude towards wealth. It's possible to get wealthy without stealing from people. If someone builds a business, its value is newly generated wealth that left nobody poorer.
It's possible to criticize greed without generalized envy for those well off.
Exactly. I feel the real meaning of the story is lost on many. It's not about how bad wealthy people are, it's about the envy and jelousy and how it can destroy your soul.
I do love Tolstoy, but I have never read this story. We are now hunting for it in the two collections of his stories that we have on our shelves. Thank you or bringing it to my attention.
Couple of conclusions come to my mind: "less is more" or "happiness doesn't depend on how much you own", if after finally becoming a landowner "nothing satisfies him anymore". Or, while getting something you think you want or need, actually you are loosing a lot (or sometimes actually everything that is most important to a human).
When people realize, land ownership is an opportunity for stewardship to nature, rather then to banks, power, greed and ego, we will live abundantly, until then, we won't.
Another potential title: Hoarders - power, money or stuff; when is it enough?
As always, your essays intrigue and inspire. I am now going to buy Tolstoy’s book because I want to know the end.
It is so easy to condemn the rich and powerful for their acquisitiveness and greed. I love this story by Tolstoy as it shows so clearly how the fear of loss of the power that compels the accumulation and retention of riches, whether land or other types of wealth controls people. As a peasant the young man is sure that he would be a good landlord, as a plutocrat he sees the World differently. An economist who I met a few years ago said “For all the real good that their money actually does the super rich, they might as well be sitting on a pile of newspaper”. Being rich can visibly or sometimes risibly enhance personal comfort but it cannot take away your basic transience. You are only here for a short period and whatever you do needs to make your memory less transient within the realms of uplifting society than you are yourself.
Wonderful comment. I find it so fascinating how quickly acquisitiveness and greed lose their luster without fear of loss. Its doubly fascinating how poorly getting more soothes that fear.
Enlightened souls in south india, more precisely Tamilnadu are called "Siddhars". Pattinathar was one such Siddhar, he was a wealthy merchant who got enlightened and entered the path of spirituality when he recieved a box from his son who was sailing with his merchandise. Inside was a note that read " Kaathtra Oosiyum Vaarathu Kaan Kadai Vazhike" which means even a needle with a broken eye doesn't come with us when we leave. If we truly understand the meaning of this sentence, the lust for land would die a natural death. For centuries Kingdoms have expanded to take more and more land whether it was Chengiz Khan, Alexander or Chandrgupta Maurya eventually all Dynasties collapsed. Its the nature of the human psyche. Owning Land means owning the universe. Now we are done with Earth,we are on the quest of capturing land on the moon. Soon Land on moon would be on Sale for the Super Rich to build resorts for them to spend a day as Space Travel becomes a reality...How much land is needed very precisely 6ft x 3ft whether you are burned or buried..
"Enough-ism" is my philosophy.
Yes, I have the privilege to even be thinking of this, but leaving that aside, for quite a number of years I have focussed on editing my life rather than adding to it, to have enough, and no more than enough.
I often wonder if the oligarchs and authoritarians ever ask themselves any version of this question. But then I remember I need to continually ask it of myself first.
Agreed Jan. I find it hard to judge the rich for long (despite the thrill of moral superiority). Given the chance most of us over consume - I chalk it up partly to how groundless and existentially challenging life is. Even the richest know they will lose everything in the end so they grasp. I chalk part of it up to evolution never preparing us for modern life. We can only keep each other in check with the help of those around us. I'd write a story called "How Much Land Can a Man Legally Own?"
Thought provoking. Thanks for sharing. And now off to read this great work of Tolstoy to know the ending 😊
Bought it. On Amazon kindle for 99p. Thanks for the tip.
And if the world survives, it will not be because of the tech billionaires and global elites, but thanks to the power and wisdom of poor women.
While I agree that greed has the power to consume people and has clearly wreaked unfathomable havoc on the existence of countless people through the course of human history, I would caution against a zero-sum attitude towards wealth. It's possible to get wealthy without stealing from people. If someone builds a business, its value is newly generated wealth that left nobody poorer.
It's possible to criticize greed without generalized envy for those well off.
Exactly. I feel the real meaning of the story is lost on many. It's not about how bad wealthy people are, it's about the envy and jelousy and how it can destroy your soul.
That was brilliant, thank you.
I do love Tolstoy, but I have never read this story. We are now hunting for it in the two collections of his stories that we have on our shelves. Thank you or bringing it to my attention.
Money is power. Power corrupts. "Civilization" is all about setting limits on human nature/appetites.
It's never enough is it. Beautiful article, Elif <3
Just completed reading the story. It was just amazing. Thanks for this essay.
Couple of conclusions come to my mind: "less is more" or "happiness doesn't depend on how much you own", if after finally becoming a landowner "nothing satisfies him anymore". Or, while getting something you think you want or need, actually you are loosing a lot (or sometimes actually everything that is most important to a human).
When people realize, land ownership is an opportunity for stewardship to nature, rather then to banks, power, greed and ego, we will live abundantly, until then, we won't.
Nicolai Gogol's Dead Souls is a must read for anyone wanting to explore the themes here. Gogol was clearly an influence on Dostoevsky and Tolstoy.