“Of the billionaires I have known, money just brings out the basic traits in them. If they were jerks before they had money, they are simply jerks with a billion dollars.”
— Warren Buffett
Simplified Meaning:
Money doesn't change who a person is at their core. It simply amplifies their existing personality traits. For instance, imagine a person who is kind and generous by nature. If they become wealthy, they are likely to use their money to help others, donate to charities, or support good causes. On the other hand, if someone is rude and selfish before getting rich, money will give them more resources to act on those negative behaviors, like being even more inconsiderate or using their wealth to mistreat others. Essentially, wealth magnifies a person’s true character, whether good or bad. So, someone looking to understand themselves or others should focus on the underlying traits rather than the amount of money involved. Knowing this can help people strive to cultivate good qualities in themselves, regardless of their financial status.
