"Je pense que l'argent te rend encore plus ce que tu es déjà."

Money has a way of amplifying your true nature. If you’re a generous person, having more money can lead you to give more freely, supporting causes you care about or helping friends in need. On the flip side, if you’re inherently selfish or vain, wealth might just inflate those less appealing traits. Essentially, money doesn’t change who you are deep down; it just magnifies it.

Now, let’s step back and consider where this idea might have come from. You can trace it back to many thinkers and observers of human nature who’ve noted that wealth and power tend to bring out a person’s core characteristics. This notion has been around for ages. Think of stories about sudden windfalls or rags-to-riches tales. They often show how money brings out the best or worst in people.

Take the real-life example of Bill Gates. Before he became one of the richest men in the world, Gates showed an interest in giving back and solving problems. Now, with his vast wealth, he’s one of the most significant philanthropists on the planet, addressing global issues like disease and education through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. His money has enabled him to act on his inherent desire to help others on a massive scale.

So how can you apply this wisdom? Start by reflecting on your current values and traits. If you want to be more charitable, start giving within your means now. If financial success comes your way, you’ll naturally extend that generosity. Conversely, if you notice tendencies in yourself that you’re not proud of, work on them before money magnifies them. Are you a bit stingy or overly concerned with status? Address those issues now so they don’t balloon later.

Imagine this: You’ve just landed a lucrative job, and your salary doubles. You might think, “Great, now I can buy that car and go on that trip!” And that’s fine. But also think about what else you can do. Maybe you’ve always wanted to support a local charity or invest in a friend’s business idea. This is your chance to do it. Your newfound wealth can be a tool to enhance the good you want to see in the world—or, if you’re not careful, it might just fuel materialistic desires.

Let me tell you about a friend of mine, Dave. He’s a guy who always loved helping out. Even when he was living paycheck to paycheck, he’d volunteer at local shelters and donate what little he could. Fast forward a few years, and Dave starts his own successful company. Now, with more money than he ever imagined, he’s setting up scholarships for underprivileged teens and funding community projects. Money didn’t change Dave; it just allowed him to do more of what he was already doing.

In the end, it’s about being mindful of who you are and what you value. Money can be a powerful amplifier, so it’s crucial to nurture the positive aspects of your character now. Think of money as a megaphone—it’s up to you what message it broadcasts to the world.