Greed: Cracking the Moral Dilemma
Understanding Greed, Its Purpose, and Its Role in Personal and Collective Growth
Greed is often viewed through a moralistic lens, categorized as either good or bad. However, a deeper, more balanced understanding reveals that greed itself is neither inherently good nor bad. It is simply a human trait, like any other, and its expression can vary depending on individual values, context, and life experiences. In this essay, I will explore the complexities of greed, offering a more nuanced view and removing the moral judgments often associated with it.
The Illusion of One-Sided Thinking
The greatest way to control people is to sell them a one-sided illusion. This disempowers individuals, keeping them trapped in a cycle of guilt and shame. Human nature is far too complex for such simplistic frameworks. People who label you as "greedy" are often projecting their own values and judgments onto you. If you perceive yourself as greedy, it’s a signal to examine your values, expand your sense of purpose, and reconsider the feedback you’re receiving, so lets do that.
The Myth of "Better to Give than Receive"
One of the most widely accepted beliefs across various cultures and religions is that giving is morally superior to receiving. Yet, history shows that many of the world's most beautiful buildings and monuments were funded by wealth accumulated by church and state. The notion that it's "better to give than receive" is an moral judgment. Both giving and receiving are essential, and they coexist as natural parts of the human experience. And accumulating spiritual and material wealth will not only serve you, but those around you.
So let’s fully establish this, you are both equally greedy and generous. Just as you are capable of being cruel at times and kind at times. You are both self-interested, aka narcissistic and altruistic; this is at the core of living a purpose-built life and business. This duality exists within everyone. When you challenge others, they may label you narcissistic; when you support them, they may call you altruistic.The journey of self-growth involves embracing both aspects of yourself so its wise to uncover the feedback your getting.
Money is Neither Good Nor Evil
Money, like greed, is neither inherently good nor bad. There are deeper, more profound spiritual laws that govern its understanding. Reflect on who you feel you owe and why, and explore whether you sense an imbalance in the exchange. Money is a measure of service—an exchange of value. When you focus on building a cause greater than yourself, money naturally follows, bringing order and structure.
Consider this perspective: the universe is composed of 99.99999% plasma and ionized gas, governed by principles of order and structure. Money operates in much the same way. It flows like energy, responding to clarity of purpose and the exchange of value. Entropy, or chaos, emerges when things begin to decay. Often, the purpose of money ceases, and people fall for the myth of retirement or the mistaken belief that accumulating wealth is only about personal gain. The universe doesn’t invest in stagnation. Accumulating wealth requires focus—not only in gathering it, but in preserving and distributing it. Those with wealth think about it consistently, which is why financial freedom can be a myth. While they may not have to work as much, financial independence is about staying aware, ensuring that others aren’t reaching into your pockets. Moreover, wealth shouldn’t be handed out recklessly; doing so without discernment can disempower others and potentially ruin their lives. This aligns with the old proverb, "shirt sleeves to shirt sleeves in three generations."
Most people have a judgment about the sacrifices they made to create wealth, and they wouldn’t want their descendants to endure the same hardships—whether it’s physical labor, long hours, dogmatic education, or the challenges of building and growing a business. If you can’t love every experience you’ve had in life—the divorce, the bankruptcy, the loss, the injury, the burnout, the affair—and can’t see how those struggles served you and those around you, you risk losing objectivity. You fail to recognize that it was through those very trials that the magnificence of your life was forged.
The Universal Principle of Balance
As physicist David Bohm suggested, there is an implicit order to the universe. This order operates in a constant cycle of creation, sustenance, and destruction. The only constant is change. Greed and generosity, like all aspects of human nature, must be balanced. If you find yourself leaning too far toward one extreme, the universe will naturally correct this imbalance.
Wisdom comes from understanding the laws that govern our existence and embracing both sides of our nature. The more you disown certain traits—like greed—the more you may attract circumstances or people that force you to reconcile those parts of yourself. Understanding this balance can help you avoid overcompensation, leading you to a more authentic and integrated life.
The Pride Before The Fall
If you think you’re better than someone or remain ungrateful for life’s events, you’ll inevitably attract humbling circumstances that force you to see the other side, like theft, lawsuits and unexpected expenses. In situations like a divorce, a business sale, or a financial transaction, acting out of greed or believing the other person doesn’t deserve what they’ve earned—based on your moralistic, dogmatic, or self-righteous views—will invite feedback from the universe. It will continue delivering lessons on fair, equitable, and sustainable exchange until you learn. Often, looking back, resolving the financial aspect would have been the wiser, less painful path.
More often than not, those who pridefully believe they are better or more deserving erode their physical health, vitality, mental well-being, relationships, reputation, and even take years off their life. The universe values equity and equanimity between self and others, don’t inflate yourself while undervaluing someone else. You see these principles in the investment world, Berkshire Hathaway’s (Warren Buffett & Charlie Munger's Co.) investment thesis: buying great businesses at a fair price. (For perspective, its original shares were valued at $18 and are now worth nearly $700,000.) “Get rich or die trying” may work for rap songs, but the power of conducting business fairly, both personally and professionally creates enduring wealth. This taps into both spiritual and material wealth, allowing you to live a more fulfilling life. Pay the price of running a purpose-built business or have nightmares running through your mind of all the people you resent (Who ironically are just reflections of you).
Let's reinforce a fundamental principle of human behavior: pride is often a compensation for an equal degree of underlying shame. You can’t have yin without yang. True wisdom lies in balancing both and addressing them equally. It’s a conscious choice, and can’t unsee once you understand it. So stay aligned with the universal principals of fair exchange and it will allow yourself to live in accordance with what you value most.
The Desire for What Others Have
As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Envy is ignorance, and imitation is suicide." Striving to emulate someone else’s life without understanding the journey they took is an exercise in self-deception. It’s far better to focus on becoming the best version of yourself rather than living as a second-rate imitation of someone else.
Envy often arises when we fail to understand another person’s values and priorities while simultaneously judging our own. This creates a void—blinding us to the sacrifices, costs, and efforts that person paid to obtain what they have. Envy isn’t inherently bad; it’s a signal, rooted in a disowned part of yourself that you have yet to recognize, own, or commit to fully.
Instead of being consumed by envy, use it as a catalyst for reflection. Sometimes, envy reveals an aspiration or an undeveloped value within you—something you haven’t yet cultivated. Consider this: no one knew they wanted an iPhone until Steve Jobs brought it to life. If your desire to achieve something stems from envy, look deeper to understand its source. When you align it with your own values and priorities, you transform envy into inspiration—a driving force for growth and authenticity on your unique journey.
Greed According to America's First Billionaire
Let’s explore the views of one of America's wealthiest figures—John D. Rockefeller, the first billionaire in U.S. history. In a letter to his son, he shared his perspective on greed:
“My son, destiny must be created by oneself, and what one really wants must be obtained by every means. The distance between success and failure is not just a single thought… Greed not only allows a person’s abilities to be maximized, but also forces him to dedicate everything, remove all obstacles, and move forward at full speed.”
At his peak, Rockefeller controlled 90% of U.S. oil refineries and pipelines. He shared this with his son, “Every night before going to bed, I advised myself: I want to become the largest oil refiner in Cleveland, let the flowing oil creek turn into bundles of banknotes, I want to align every thought to profit motives and help myself become the king of oil.” His wealth was a result of his commitment to his innermost dominant thought, which became his outermost tangible reality. And he knew his operations from top to bottom.
He lived a long and productive life up until 97, but did have health challenges, he suffered from alopecia, an autoimmune condition that resulted in the complete loss of hair on the scalp, face, and body.
The Void to Value Relationship
John D. Rockefeller’s values were profoundly shaped by the contrasting influences of his parents and the traumas of his childhood. He labelled his father (-), a travelling salesman, as a conman, describing him as a “devil” who taught harsh lessons about mistrust and frugality. This experience instilled in Rockefeller a deep wariness of financial instability. In stark contrast, his devout Baptist mother (+), Eliza, was deeply religious, morally upright, and the stabilizing force in the family. As he watched her struggle to keep the household afloat, she planted in him a lifelong fear of poverty and inspired his disciplined work ethic. These opposing parental influences shaped the foundation of Rockefeller’s character and values.
This fear became the driving force behind Rockefeller’s relentless pursuit of financial wealth and stability. It highlights a deeper element of human behaviour: how the voids in our lives often shape the values and priorities we hold most dear. As people are not loyal to people; they are loyal to their priorities. Whatever and whoever will help them fulfill what’s most valuable and meaningful to them.
Wisdom lies in caring enough to understand someone’s values and deepest priorities, and then helping them achieve them. This principle applies far beyond business and sales, it extends into family life, parenting, marriage, and relationships with siblings and extended family. By aligning with what truly matters to others, we create meaningful, lasting connections and foster mutual growth.
Coaching Insight: Rockefeller’s greatest challenges gave him purpose, meaning, and a high value on finances, family and generational wealth. The wisdom would have been to embrace some of his father's reflective traits that he despised, rather than a false sense of pride that invites external governance (Government regulation and forced philanthropy rather than inspired philanthropy), a pattern he experienced and aligns with being too far one way and attracting the counterbalance.
There are drawbacks to support and benefits to challenges and his body was giving him the feedback. It's crucial to understand the psychosomatic factors at play for those of us in the business world, in Rockafeller’s case of his particular autoimmune condition: trust issues, self-judgments, and the stresses that challenged his highest values, and trying to avoid family and relationship conflicts, driven by infatuation on one side (mom) and resentment on the other (Dad). This illustrates the concept that "the mind keeps the score, and the body tells the story." Nothing is random. (Article: Mind-Body Connection)
What Do You Value and Place Worth On?
We invest our time, money, and energy into what we value most. Whether it’s financial success, personal growth, or service to others, these investments reflect our values. When you invest in something meaningful to you, others may label you as "greedy." But for many entrepreneurs, executives, and philanthropists, investing in their own growth or business success allows them to contribute more effectively to causes they believe in.
As Warren Buffett wisely said, "Investing in yourself is the best thing you can do. Anything that improves your own talents, nobody can tax it or take it away from you."
Getting Over the Illusion of Scarcity
We perceive circumstances relative to our values and priorities. Scarcity doesn’t arise from objective reality but rather from the perception of lack.
The fear of losing something we value, or overvaluing something end up magnifying the feeling of scarcity. This fear stems from an imbalance in how we perceive and understnad gain and loss. The mind, however, is constantly working to balance this perception, helping you love your past and ground yourself in future objectives. Contrary to popular belief, you can’t have gain without loss, or loss without gain. Just as the laws of thermodynamics ensure energy is conserved, this principle applies to all areas of life and money.
Scarcity carries hidden benefits. It drives growth. It compels us to invest in building skills, relationships, and resources that align with what matters most. Experiencing scarcity can serve as a catalyst for innovation and personal transformation. Subconsciously, even the wealthiest individuals often lose their wealth to redirect themselves toward a more meaningful pursuit. Challenges force creative thinking and prioritized action.
Gratitude unlocks abundance. When you appreciate what you have, you see the richness of your past, even in moments when scarcity feels overwhelming. The mind naturally presents pairs of opposites: scarcity and abundance always exist together. Often, abundance hides in unconscious areas of your life that you haven’t yet recognized. Seeing both sides allows you to appreciate what is, rather than endlessly chasing something you think will fulfill you but never truly does.
Focusing on what you lack polarizes your perception and reinforces the reality of scarcity. What you focus on expands. Even if you have little, or believe you do, get grateful for what you have. Find the hidden blessings in what feels like a curse. By balancing past perceptions and reframing scarcity as an opportunity, you can spark innovation, growth, and clarity about the priorities that matter most.
Without gratitude for all aspects of life, it’s difficult to find contentment in any of them. We’re here to experience both spiritual and material wealth. Your mind is the greatest tool to help you not only see life objectively but also feel gratitude for the implicit order of events that have shaped your path. Uncoverig the order in the chaos of the past allows you to see where the abundance was in past, and how it’s served you on the journey your walking now.
A Cautionary Tale - The Billionaire Who Took His Life
Jesse Livermore was a legendary stock trader who, in the early 1900s, amassed an estimated fortune of $100 million (equivalent to about $1.5 billion today). Known for his ability to anticipate market movements. However, during the Great Depression, his fortunes took a dramatic turn. Despite his skill, Livermore’s failure to manage his personal emotions and his overexposure to risk led to a steep decline in his wealth.
By 1940, Jesse’s net worth was $5 million (equivalent to around $100 million today) and in turn, he took his own life. His story serves as a cautionary tale of over-leverage, unchecked confidence, and the emotional toll of managing large sums of wealth in volatile markets. Even the most skilled traders can fall victim to the market and the destructive power of self-depreciation and unrealistic expectations.
Remember what depression is, depression is the comparison of your existing reality to an ideal way you think something should be. That’s why it’s wise to pop the fantasies and see how your greatest nightmares if they came true would serve you. That builds your immune system up and keeps you in your executive centre, and more objective and resilient.
The Risks of Over-Leverage and Attachment to a False Sense of Security
If you’re getting too good of a deal or thinking your investments will only continue to rise infinetly, you may be setting yourself up for exposure. People often over-leverage their livelihoods, businesses, savings, and homes, and sometimes they’re right. However, as Warren Buffett famously said, “Only when the tide goes out, do you find out who’s been swimming naked.” This quote speaks to the reality that some individuals leave their financial lives exposed and over-leveraged, only to face the consequences when things don’t go as planned.
Assess What You’re Optimizing For
If you think you're getting too good of a deal, or that things will only continue to rise, take a step back and ask yourself what you’re optimizing for. Many people who think of themselves as investors are actually gamblers. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this, as long as you understand the risks involved and remain clear-eyed about your motivations. When you know yourself and can manage risks objectively, you can better navigate the ups and downs of the market without letting your emotions dictate your decisions. By following clear rules of engagement, you can protect yourself against the downside and make smarter choices for your financial future.
Reframing the Judgment of Greed
If you feel labelled as greedy, ask yourself, "According to who?" Who is the moral or spiritual authority telling you that you're greedy? Identifying this source can help you understand whose values you might be subordinating yourself to.
Instead of resisting this label, own it and clear away any associated judgments, fantasies, and fears. Money, like all things in life, is cyclical—there are highs and lows. The goal is to maintain clarity and balance through each phase, understanding that these fluctuations are part of a larger process. The universe, in its wisdom, provides feedback to help you refine your vision and continue to grow.
Summary
Greed is not inherently good or bad. It is a natural human trait, one that exists in balance with other characteristics like generosity and altruism. By understanding and accepting this duality, you can move beyond moral judgments and create a more authentic, purpose-driven life. Remember, the universe operates on principles of fair-exchange, and embracing both sides of your nature will lead you to greater wisdom and clarity of purpose.
