"With the greater part of rich people, the chief enjoyment of riches consists in the parade of riches"
- Adam Smith
About this Quote
Adam Smith's quote suggests that for lots of wealthy people, the primary enjoyment of having cash is the capability to show it off. This might be through the purchase of high-end products, such as pricey vehicles, jewelry, and clothes, or through the display of wealth in other ways, such as through big houses, elegant holidays, and pricey pastimes. Smith's quote suggests that the wealthy are more interested in the appearance of wealth than in the real satisfaction of it. This might be due to the fact that the wealthy are frequently evaluated by their peers based on their material possessions, so they feel the need to show their wealth in order to maintain their social standing. Smith's quote also suggests that the rich might be more concerned with the understanding of wealth than with the real usage of it.