"Poor is the man who does not know his own intrinsic worth and tends to measure everything by relative value. A man of financial wealth who values himself by his financial net worth is poorer than a poor man who values himself by his intrinsic self worth"

Sydney Madwed's quote delves into the idea of self-respect and the threats of corresponding it strictly with material wealth. At its core, the quote contrasts intrinsic worth with relative value, recommending that real richness originates from self-awareness and self-regard instead of financial success or product belongings.

The opening line, "Poor is the male who does not know his own intrinsic worth", highlights the concept that people who stop working to recognize their fundamental worth are impoverished in an essential method. Intrinsic worth describes the inherent worth of an individual, independent of external aspects such as wealth, status, or achievements. It's the understanding of one's own dignity, strengths, and capacity, which can not be measured by external requirements or compared to others.

Madwed slams the tendency to measure everything by "relative value", which indicates contrast with others and evaluation based upon external metrics like cash, possessions, or social status. This state of mind can lead to an incorrect sense of security or insignificance, depending on one's monetary scenario or the viewed success of others. It restricts a person's understanding of their worth to concrete and typically fleeting benchmarks, overlooking the much deeper, unquantifiable elements of mankind.

The latter part of the quote, "A man of monetary wealth who values himself by his monetary net worth is poorer than a pauper who values himself by his intrinsic self worth", highlights the paradox that product wealth does not equate to real richness. A rich person who bases their self-esteem entirely on monetary status might discover themselves impoverished in terms of real self-understanding and fulfillment. On the other hand, an individual with limited funds but a strong sense of intrinsic worth is portrayed as truly richer, as they have a profound, unshakable understanding of their own value.

Ultimately, Madwed's message is a call to focus on self-awareness and intrinsic worth over external valuations. It encourages people to go beyond materialistic metrics and appreciate the deeper, more meaningful aspects of their identity, resulting in a richer, more authentic life.