Diamonds are not forever


Diamonds are not forever
 

Marginal utility of a product goes on diminishing as its accumulation goes up. This is what we learn from law of diminishing marginal utility, an economic theory. There are a few exceptions to this theory. Money is one such exception. It binds us occasionally. It blinds us irretrievably.

How much money is too much money? Do we debate on this? Have we ever dared to ask ourselves this question? Very stupid question! Can there ever be a situation where one would admit having ‘too much money’?

It is alright to accumulate wealth through ethical business practices. But the problem is amassing wealth this way takes a very long time. We are an impatient lot. Driven by this insatiable desire to be rich overnight, we lose sight of ‘principles, moral values, ethical practices’ and indulge in unfair methods, looking for legal loopholes, flaws in the system. We invariably find them. And use the systemic flaws ruthlessly to amass wealth that staggers  humanity. Is there no guilt? Are we never troubled by our conscience? What about the family members – spouse, children, parents – do they feel no regret? Are they not shameful about these things?  Have they ever protested, voiced their concern? Maybe they had, only to be stifled. Or maybe not, taking the easy way out, justifying the same citing examples. How utterly disgusting.

Look at the sequence. Starts with misusing the system. The fact that one can get away is a strong incentive to continue the unlawful and immoral activities. Fleece the system and flee the country.

At the end of it all, what have they earned? Mountain of wealth surely. Along with it a mountain of guilt. Cynical silence of a billion people sometimes could be devastatingly deafening. Maybe, they have eluded the law of the land for the moment. What they are blissfully unaware is the fact that they have been chained forever to a ton of guilt. It won’t be long before they realize it. The crushing feeling of guilt will do more damage than any other means of physical punishment.

Mahatma Gandhi said, ‘there is enough on this planet for everyone’s need’. Golden words for ever, shinier than the diamonds which are not forever.

Comments

  1. Achala HegdeApril 1, 2018 at 7:49 PM

    Nice thoughts. But guilt doesn't enter into souls of these people. This is established by the fact that they go on to defend themselves in court and elsewhere, they deny vehemently their guilt, search for someone else to dump their wrongdoings.

    ReplyDelete

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