Balancing Outer Success and Inner Fulfillment

In the modern world, material aspects create a necessary foundation for a comfortable life by ensuring stability and meeting primary needs. However, if one focuses solely on external achievements, there is a risk of experiencing inner emptiness and dissatisfaction. The effect of owning a house, a car, and other possessions is greatly amplified when they serve merely as stepping stones on the path to true happiness—a happiness rooted in higher spiritual and life values. It is precisely the combination of material well-being and the richness of one’s inner world that allows for genuine life satisfaction and the attainment of harmony. Thus, balancing external achievements with inner development becomes the key to real well-being, infusing life with energy and meaning.

What role do material values play in achieving happiness?
Material values indeed play a significant role in providing a person with basic well-being by creating the necessary conditions for life. However, their contribution to achieving happiness is secondary when viewed within a broad hierarchy of values. As noted in one source, “material (occupational) values are originally subordinate to biological, vital values; vital values – to spiritual values” (source: link ). In other words, while material well-being can serve as the foundation for fulfilling life’s needs, true happiness is built upon higher, spiritual, and life-oriented priorities.

Another source emphasizes that “the material factor is an important component of human well-being.” However, if a person bases their life solely on external, material achievements, then even with a good life, they may encounter feelings of dissatisfaction: “the person began to live well, bought this, that, and the other; acquired a car, a house… and suddenly it turns out that... the houses and cars have become less desirable” (source: link ). Thus, while material values are essential for a comfortable existence, they cannot replace the deep experience of happiness that comes from recognizing one’s internal values and life principles.

In conclusion, material values provide the basic level of comfort and stability necessary for life, but true happiness is achieved only when these factors are complemented and balanced by higher, spiritual, and life priorities.

Supporting citation(s):
“The hierarchy of values corresponds to the hierarchical structure of being. […] Thus, material (occupational) values are originally subordinate to biological, vital values; vital values – to spiritual values.” (source: link )

“And what about external factors? For some, external well-being is an indispensable condition for happiness? […] However, it should not be assessed this way: the material factor is an important component of human well-being. But what happens when it becomes the primary component?” (source: link )