"It is a kind of spiritual snobbery that makes people think they can be happy without money"

Albert Camus suggests that the belief in happiness independent of financial means is not merely optimistic or romantic, but rather a subtle form of elitism. The phrase "spiritual snobbery" captures a sense of superiority that some people feel when they claim that true contentment or fulfillment exists entirely apart from material needs. By using the term "snobbery", Camus highlights the disconnect between those who have enough wealth to dismiss money as trivial, and those who struggle daily for survival and basic comfort.

Those who argue that joy, meaning, or peace can be achieved without resources may be, consciously or unconsciously, ignoring the realities faced by the less fortunate. The privilege of ignoring money, or viewing it as irrelevant, often comes from never having faced deprivation. For many, happiness and well-being are deeply intertwined with financial security. Adequate shelter, sufficient food, access to healthcare, and the ability to pursue pleasure or personal growth frequently hinge on economic means. To dismiss money’s role risks trivializing the hardship of poverty or the anxiety of financial instability.

Camus's observation pushes his audience to interrogate their own assumptions about fulfillment and morality. It challenges ideals that uplift spiritual or emotional wealth while downplaying the importance of material foundations. His words imply that it is not inherently noble, wise, or enlightened to claim that money is unnecessary for happiness. Instead, such an attitude can become a barrier to empathy and understanding.

In essence, Camus advocates for a clear-eyed recognition of how deeply material conditions impact quality of life. Celebrating transcendent forms of happiness is admirable, but denying the role of money can be both naive and exclusionary. Only by acknowledging the significance of material well-being can discussions about happiness become truly honest and inclusive.