Robert Walser: Wealth Ill at Ease
on Tuesday, April 4, 2017Robert Walser Money Quote saying having fear of being seen as wealthy, we protect ourselves from view of the poor as to avoid feelings of guilt for that wealth. Robert Walser said:
“Feeling ill at ease in your own wealth and begrudging others their ease, to resort to disagreeable weapons that require neither true audacity nor manly courage, to have money, but only money, without splendor: That’s what things look like in our cities at present” — Robert Walser
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This quote by Robert Walser seems to be criticizing a mindset of envy, pettiness and lack of generosity that can arise from wealth alone, without other virtues. It suggests that in cities, some people who are financially well-off still feel uneasy and resent others’ happiness, instead of being content with their own prosperity.
Walser implies this leads them to resort to “disagreeable weapons” like gossip, manipulation or litigation that don’t require true courage.
The overall message is that having money is not enough if one does not also cultivate an inner “splendor” of character through compassion and goodwill. True wealth involves using one’s advantages to uplift others, not put them down out of spite or insecurity.