The relationship between power, money, and human action is complex and often troubling. In this article, we explore how the prioritization of money over values distorts our purpose and blinds us to our potential. Let us begin with two quotes that frame the tension between human freedom and the corrupting force of money. Adding a quote or a proverb provides a stronger frame to the argument because a quote must be passed on to gain validity. We don't typically share quotes we disagree with.
"Geld regiert die Welt" — Translated as "Money rules the world"
German Proverb
"You only have power over people as long as you don't take everything away from them. But when you've robbed a man of everything, he's no longer in your power—he's free again."
Alexander Solzhenitsyn
Before we dive into the numbers and the horrific monopoly of wealth distribution, let’s first consider how, in a world where money is the dominant force, the intent behind our actions becomes secondary. True wisdom and meaningful action, as seen in classical education through the Trivium, do not come from material gain. Actions that truly matter must come from genuine intent and focused attention. Teachers teach because they care, not merely for a paycheck. Leaders lead because they care, not because the pay is better. Care rules the world, yet unfortunately, they would have us believe we should only care about money and their solutions. This blinds us to our dreams, our unique purpose, and our will.
You love what you know, and you know what you love.
Take Slovenia as a microcosm of a larger global issue. Keep in mind that these numbers are generated by AI, so there is no direct source to quote, but they are accurate enough to serve as an example. The population of Slovenia is 2.1 million, with 1.7 million eligible voters.
Let's add up the groups that receive some form of government funding:
Public Sector Employees: 160,000
Pensioners: 620,000
Welfare/Unemployment Benefits: 230,000
Students with Scholarships: 20,000
Total = 1,030,000 people.
This makes the percentage of the voting population receiving government funds 60.6%.
At this point, it's not surprising that every government idea—no matter how foolish or corrupt—gets support. Perhaps the clearest example is war. A lone dictator cannot wage one; many have to be on board with the idea. However, we know most people are not in favor of attacking foreign countries, so there needs to be an incentive. And we come back to money as the reward.
During the pandemic, governments around the world used fear and financial incentives—such as stimulus checks and unemployment benefits—not only to ensure compliance but also to suppress dissent. Without these financial rewards, would the public have been as willing to accept prolonged restrictions? The answer reveals how deeply financial dependency shapes our freedoms and decision-making.
In a world increasingly dominated by money, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters: care, purpose, and the intrinsic value of our actions. Sometimes, we are fortunate enough to make money from work we care about, and sometimes we are not. We should strive to connect these two things, but if we can’t, it doesn’t matter. We still have the opportunity to stand behind something else—something we do out of pure care. And that scares them. The actions we care about and value most are done because they simply matter. And that makes them even more valuable.
"Whoever seeks a goal will remain empty when they achieve it, but whoever finds a path will always carry the goal within themselves."
Nejc Zaplotnik
Don’t let the reward steal your care—your unique purpose.
Teachers teach, leaders lead.