day no. 17,023: poor and wise over rich and stupid

“The wisdom of Solomon tests us. It is only possible to be wealthy and wise if such a person would rather be poor and wise than rich and stupid.” — Douglas Wilson, Calibrated Wealth Preferences

It is better to be poor and wise than rich and stupid, but it is best to be rich and wise. The worst, of course, is to be poor and stupid. Proverbial wisdom always pushes us to order our affections by pitting two good things against each other. It is better to have thin soup with good friends than fat steaks with fatheads who are plotting your downfall. It is better to be rebuked by a good friend than to be flattered by fakes. It is better to be served cold, hard truth than soft, warm treacle. It is better to be socked in the face by love than to be sucked up to by sycophants.

You cannot be wealthy and wise unless you would pick pious poverty over luxurious lunacy. If you really would, you could gain riches without losing your mind. If you know enough to say that you would, but don't have the resolve, you may dabble in decadence, but it won't be long before you are back to drowning in destitution.