Dignity

 Yesterday, at the Samraat Vykhanmala lecture series, IAS officer, Daulat Hawaldar spoke on the value of money in human life. He used a quote by German philosopher, Immanuel Kant:

 ‘In the kingdom of ends, everything has a price or a dignity. What has a price can be replaced by something else as its equivalent; what on the other hand is raised above all price and therefore admits of no equivalent has a dignity.’

 

Money may seem to buy many things but it cannot buy dignity. On the other hand, dignity, even in poverty, can overcome hurdles. Money is the transient treasure but dignity is the consistent intrinsic value.

 

Kant went on to say ‘What is related to general human inclinations and needs has a market price; but that which constitutes the condition under which alone something can be an end in itself with an inner worth, is dignity.’

It is pertinent to note the true value of dignity is in its connection to joyfulness. While lack of money may bring situations of misery, these can be offset by the asset of dignity. Conversely, surplus of wealth does not guarantee escape from misery.

in the quest for joy, focus on dignity…

it is more vital than money as priority!

- Pravin K. Sabnis