Don’t Forget the Basics

One story I think about often is the story of the Monk’s Riches:

There is a wandering monk making his way through the forest who comes across a farmer.

The farmer tells the monk that he had a vision the night before that he would run into a monk carrying the biggest diamond in the world and that the monk would give it to him.

The monk proceeds to pull a massive diamond out of his bag and hand it to the farmer. With a gentle smile, the monk says, “Yes this one. I found it in the forest a few days ago. You’re welcome to have it.”

The farmer cannot believe his luck. He rushes home with his newfound riches, while the monk goes to meditate underneath a nearby tree.

Several hours later the farmer returns to the forest and finds the monk sitting under the very same tree, deep in meditation.

The farmer taps the monk on the shoulder and says, “Can you do me a favor?”

“What is it?” asks the monk.

Holding the diamond in his hand, the man says, “Can you give me the riches that make it possible for you to give this thing away so easily?”

The aphorism of the Monk’s Riches conveys a simple idea - money can’t buy happiness. This sentiment is echoed in similar sayings and aphorisms like the Mexican Fisherman and American Businessman.

The irony, is that despite everyone knowing that money doesn’t buy happiness, many people still default to pursuing money as their goal. The problem is that in the day-t0-day grind, it’s easy to lose sight of this fundamental truth. These aphorims serve as a valuable reminder.