It seems the poor are generally more honest & generous. Are these values inappropriate for being super-rich?

Answer 1

Well then ah! so what can I say here.

First in order to get rich it doesn't generally pay to go around giving money away.
I am a Free lance English teacher (to earn my daily bread) and a hopeful writer, I also help in voluntary capacity with an organization here in Italy called Emergency (see link below for details).

In my day to day encounters I met people from all walks of life, and speaking form my own experience I find that those you have less give more (percentage wise).

The concept of the philanthropist is strongly base on charity and tax cutting business plans.

It is important to think a little about the meaning of Charity.
There was once back in the old days of the ancient Greeks a wide spread concept of Moderation. This has now all but disappeared and been replaced by Charity in the minds of many.
The concept of Moderation is that of having only that which you need and therefore leaving more of the cake to be shared by others.
Whereas (and here I feel some people may not like what I am about to say) Charity is that of giving a little in order to not feel so bad about having a lot.

The poor are other so because they practice Moderation.
And the super-rich can be so because they practice Charity.

The answer to your question comes down to how we understand the concept of generosity.

If I feed a dog scraps from my table, I am not being generous!
But if I share my meal with him would that not be generosity

I hope that my answer is of satisfaction to you.
And I wish you all the best for the coming New Year.

Please feel free to visit my 360 page as I have an Item on my blog page which talks of my thoughts on Altruism. (second link)



ADDED In response to 'bend it like beckham's statement concerning human nature, I feel that I must point out that as early humans and even some modern humans live in hunter gather groups which were and are egalitarian.
It is not human nature to keep what one has, this is a consequence of hierarchy and civilisation. (or at least the commonly understood and practised model)

FTWR

Answer 2

The typical difference between a rich man and a poor man is a feasible business plan. The notion that either group is more prone to honesty & generosity is a bit fallacious.

Money just makes you more of what you are.

So just as a rich humanitarian does far more that a poor one, so a rich asshole is a much bigger asshole than a poor one.

The rich vastly out give the poor, both in charitable/cutural contributions & in providing jobs/infrastrcture, but it's just human nature to take more notice of their admittedly spectacular misdeeds....

...particularly in an election year where fanning class envy often translatres into votes.

Answer 3

Yes. The rich are better known as hoarders. They hoard not just money but, the fruits of other's labors. These are also the least willing to pay taxes if these are to go to social programs. They would rather pay taxes to a military industrial complex for "protection."

Yes, I know this from first hand experience. I work as a carpenter for 18 yrs. and I've worked for some of the richest people in the Chicagoland area. Since I talk to everyone as an equal, I can get some info otherwise unobtainable.

Answer 4

It's not so much inappropriate, but rather that the rich didn't get to where they are by being honest and generous. The business world is cut-throat. Being the nice guy will offer no rewards.

Answer 5

You know how the old saying goes....More money more problems. Just like scrooge at the end of a christmas carol, I think that those who are more fortunate should be more considerate of those who are less fortunate. Lets face it though, we live in a society where the rich get richer and the poor struggle to maintain from day to day. Most people that I know who have money are somewhat greedy and are misers of their fortune. When I think about it, thats probably how they built their fortunes....by being not so generous. I guess what I am trying to say, is that I agree.

Answer 6

Mark 10:25, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

But I know there are rich people who act on their conscience. I am conflicted too. I pursue wealth and I tell myself it is so I can have freedom of action, or is it the freedom of inaction I seek. Perhaps it is freedom from fear. The fear of health care costs that may reach hundreds of thousands (I live in the US barbarous health care system). I want to fulfill my responsibility as a father and yet do something for the world.

Answer 7

i think they are, but not only those two, they are both present in the rich adn the poor, of course the rich themselves never see themselves that way, so studies show that the more people get rich, the more they give to charities. I've noticed that some people i come across, that seem most likely to "succeed" seem to have certain qualities, some self-centeredness, manipulative and pride of course they never see themselves like that too.
Sorry if my thoughts are not so arranged

Answer 8

Most of super-rich indeed don't posses these values. Perhaps the absence of these value place them where they are. But If these values will be taken into practice, it's a certain that we will solve the number 1 problem of the whole world - POVERTY.

Answer 9

You are right in one respect the poor give what they do not have and the rich only give what make them acceptable to their pears.

To be rich you need to have no conscience then you can rip off the poor with out feeling guilty.

Answer 10

why , because the poors does not knows the truth of abouts the true truth of them religious , that's , they were been told to believed in and to do good as for to be accepted by their RELIGIOUS GOD(S). While , the rich are too concerned with theirs status and capitalism oriented for them benefits , in which , they will only be generous if there is a benefits for them , and , if talking abouts honesty in them , well , in summary = GENEROUS + HONESTY = MUST BE THE BENEFITS TO THEM.