Renowned economist Daniel Kahneman said two years ago, "Only money can bring true happiness into people's lives."
He explained that while there are many factors that determine happiness, one of the most significant is wealth. In fact, he described money as the secret key to happiness—the most powerful tool to increase joy in life.
And Kahneman is not alone in this belief. American writer Gretchen Rubin wrote in her book “The Happiness Project”— “Money may not buy happiness directly, but the things you can buy with money, or the ability to spend it when needed, can significantly influence your well-being.”
Meanwhile, Professor Joe Gladstone of Cambridge University said, “Previous research showed little connection between overall happiness and money. But our study disproved that. With money, people can buy goods and services of their choice. Fulfilling material needs helps satisfy mental needs, lifting both mood and mind. Not only that—money helps shape and enhance our personality. To feel well in every sense, all of this is essential.”
Analyzing 77,000 bank transactions in the UK, Gladstone found that the ready availability of money brings life satisfaction.
But is life satisfaction really that simple? It’s true that "when poverty knocks at the door, love flies out the window."
Yet there's a counter-proverb too: "Money is the root of all evil." Still, those who earn substantial wealth through hard work, perseverance, and intelligence—does that wealth always serve them in times of need?
Often, despite a lifetime of effort and wealth-building, money becomes hostage to the demands of life and family. This is a common picture in our subcontinent.
Over a century and a half ago, poet Hemchandra Bandopadhyay (1838–1903) wrote in his poem “Jibon Sangeet”:
"Don’t speak in a trembling voice / That life is a wasted chance / This life is a fleeting dream / Wives, sons, family— / Who are you, and who are they to you?"
He then cautioned:
"Don’t hope for eternal happiness, / Don’t trap yourself in sorrow, / That is not the goal of life. / Play your part in this world, / Do your daily work, / So that the world may improve. / Days pass, moments go, / Time belongs to none."
Isn’t what Hemchandra said still true today? As long as a successful person holds the keys to wealth and property, they are valued.
As the wise say, life is like a relay race—where the most capable runner must run the hardest with the baton. But is that value only held while they carry the baton? After they pass it on, do their wishes, freedom, and well-being lose all worth?
Here we must recall a verse by the great Chanakya:
"Pustakstha tu ya vidya, parahastagatam dhanam,
Karyakaale samutpanne, na sa vidya na taddhanam."
Translated: “Knowledge locked in books and money held by others—neither are useful when the time of need arises.”
In such circumstances, we are drawn again to Hemchandra’s words. In another verse, he said:
"O soul wandering in darkness,
Do not rely on the uncertain future;
Don’t pine for the joy of days gone by,
And don’t torment yourself with regret."
And the final truth is this: Whatever the Almighty Allah has written in one’s fate, that alone will come to pass. So why torment yourself with excessive worry?
