"Des milliardaires que j'ai connus, l'argent ne fait que révéler leurs traits de caractère de base. S'ils étaient des imbéciles avant d'avoir de l'argent, ils sont simplement des imbéciles avec un milliard de dollars."

Basically, this quote is saying that money doesn't really change who people are at their core. If someone was a jerk before they got rich, they’ll still be a jerk after they’ve hit the jackpot. Wealth just amplifies the personality traits they already had. Sounds pretty straightforward, right? But let's dive a bit deeper.

This idea has been echoed throughout history by various folks who've witnessed the effects of wealth on human behavior. One of the key moments that comes to mind is the Gilded Age in America. During this period, a few families amassed enormous wealth while the rest of the country struggled. Those who were kind and philanthropic before struck it big (think Andrew Carnegie with his libraries) continued to be so. On the flip side, those who were ruthless and greedy only became more so, sometimes to the detriment of society.

Let's make it more relatable with a real-life example. Take someone like Jeff Bezos. Before Amazon catapulted him to billionaire status, stories from his coworkers and friends described him as intensely driven, sometimes to the point of being demanding. Fast forward to his billionaire days, and it's clear that money didn't soften these traits. If anything, it’s made them more visible—there are countless stories about Amazon's tough working conditions and Bezos' relentless pursuit of efficiency and innovation. The money didn’t change him; it just amplified who he already was.

So, how can you apply this nugget of wisdom? It's useful in both personal introspection and in understanding others. For yourself, it’s a reminder that acquiring wealth or success won’t magically turn you into the person you want to be. You’ve got to work on those traits now, regardless of your bank balance. And when it comes to others, don't expect money to change their fundamental nature. If you’re dealing with someone difficult, don’t assume they’ll get better with success—they probably won’t.

Imagine this: you're working at a startup. Your boss, let’s call him Mike, is kind of a jerk. He’s dismissive of your ideas, always takes credit for the team's work, and generally makes life harder than it needs to be. You might think, “Once the company takes off, he’ll mellow out.” But then, the startup hits it big. Mike’s attitude doesn’t improve. If anything, he becomes more insufferable, throwing his weight around even more now that he’s got money and power. You realize, the money didn’t change Mike; it just made his jerkiness more noticeable.

Think about that for a second—how often do we pin our hopes on external changes to fix internal problems? This quote is a reality check. Whether you’re hoping for a promotion, dreaming of hitting the lottery, or just looking forward to the next big milestone, remember that these things won’t change who you fundamentally are. You’ve got to work on that person first.

So next time you meet someone—rich or not—look at how they treat people now. That’s the real indicator of their character. And if you want to be a better person, start today. Don’t wait for the windfall.