Chapter XI: Section IX: Wealth

The possession of large and also of potentially lasting resources; objectively, such resources themselves, we call wealth. But it must be large in a two-fold sense; large as compared with the rational wants of its possessor, and large, also, as compared with the resources of other people, especially with the resources of those in the same condition of life. To be called rich, it is not enough “to have a sufficiency,” (the individual side); it is necessary to have more than others.(96) If all men were possessed of a great deal, but all of an exactly equal amount, each would be compelled, it may be conjectured, to be his own chimney-sweep, his own scavenger and “boot-black.” And how could anyone, then, be properly called wealthy? This is the social side of the idea of wealth.(97) Hence, a person, with the same resources, might be very wealthy in a provincial town, while, in the capital, he could enjoy only moderate comfort.(98)