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To
My Dear Students,
A
widely told story recounts a 1923 meeting attended
by nine of the world's wealthiest men at a luxury
hotel in Chicago:
(1) Charles Schwab, President of the world's largest
independent steel company; (2) Samuel Insull,
President of the world's largest utility company;
(3) Howard Hopson, President of the largest gas
firm; (4) Arthur Cutten, the greatest wheat speculator;
(5) Richard Whitney, President of the New York
Stock Exchange; (6) Albert Fall, member of the
President's Cabinet; (7) Leon Frazier, President
of the Bank of International Settlements;
(8) Jessie Livermore, the greatest speculator
in the Stock Market; and (9) Ivar Kreuger, head
of the company with the most widely distributed
securities in the world.
Twenty-five
years later, Charles Schwab had died in bankruptcy,
having lived on borrowed money for five years
before his death. (2) Samuel Insull had
died virtually penniless after spending some time
as a fugitive from justice. (3) Howard Hopson
was insane. (4) Arthur Cutten died overseas,
broke. (5) Richard Whitney had spent time in Sing-Sing.
(6) Albert Fall was released from prison so he
could die at home. (7) Leon Fraizer, (8)
Jessie Livermore, and (9) Ivar Kreuger each died
by suicide.
By
the standard of riches and influence these men
had attained the pinnacle of accomplishment.
But their stay at the summit was all too temporary.
While amassing a great deal of money may be a
praiseworthy goal, a large portfolio does not
assure a truly successful life.
Eventually
most people grasp that inner serenity and deep
satisfaction derive not from fame and fortune,
but from having lived a life based on integrity
and decent character. President Lincoln
put it this way: "Honor is better than
honors," and the Biblical Book of Proverbs
put it even better: "A good name is
more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed
is better than silver or gold." In
the end, living a principled life really is more
rewarding than renown and recognition, money and
material.
The
criteria by which we measure success is key to
our life's worth. Is success what we have,
or is success what we are?
Shabbat
Shalom,
Your
Rabbi
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