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I looked at the title 'Would you rather be born rich or intelligent' and I had to stop and think for a while. To be born EITHER rich or intelligent is a blessing and you are fortunate, but to choose which of the two you prefer is another thing as both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Years ago I considered myself fortunate because I knew I was intelligent... and to ensure that it was not conceit of wishful thinking I was tested by various societies and groups that only allow intelligent people to join. They evaluated that I am intelligent so I must be. But intelligence alone is not enough to succeed in life, you also need to be determined and willing to work hard, which is why many fail. To be intelligent WITHOUT being realistic enough to sacrifice a lot of time and effort will not get you anywhere in life. I know, I had to leave school with no qualifications and with no help from anyone and no money I rose from the ashes and made something of myself. Intelligence alone would not have made this possible. I can remember when I was working very long hours and unsocial hours seven days a week doing very responsible work, and earning accordingly, and people who were only willing to work 40 hours a week or less, during normal hours with evenings and weekends off would tell me how lucky I was that I was earning more than them. But it had nothing to do with luck. The difference between me and them was that I worked at least twice the hours they worked, I was doing something where I was more responsible and more qualified and investing my own money, not relying on a boss to do it all and take all the risks. If I had had my time again I would prefer to have been born rich so that I could have evenings and weekends off and not need to work very long hours and dedicate years to success.

Money is a lot less important to me than it is for many. I know people who have vast amounts who still spend all of their time chasing more and never have a minute to enjoy what they have already earnt. The fact that I can get up when I want and do what I want when I want means far more to me than having more money.

The only snag with being rich and not being intelligent is that you are naive and gullible enough to invest in the wrong things and trust the wrong people. You may lend people money who never pay you back, invest in get rich quick schemes and hare brained schemes, give money away to undeserving and ungrateful people and the money disappears. Unless you pay somebody to manage your money for you and you are sure that they are responsible and not self serving with your interests at heart then having money can go wrong. Look at the non too bright film stars, models, pop stars and sports people who suddenly get huge amounts of money and get hooked on drugs and in trouble with the law.

An intelligent person can make $10 go far further and work far harder than a stupid person can $100. But to be born rich means you do not need to bother. The most valuable thing any of us have is the time we have between birth and death, when we work hard we are selling our time in return for money. It would be nice not to have to sell any of that time to gain money and keep that time instead of having to work.

Learn more about this author, Carmel Brulez.
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