The modern world often forces us to measure success by the number of material possessions acquired, yet true, authentic success lies in harmony with oneself.

Success Redefined: The Pursuit of Spiritual Wealth

The modern world often forces us to measure success by the number of material possessions acquired, yet true, authentic success lies in harmony with oneself. This approach is based on the idea that spiritual wealth—expressed through morality, kindness, and the quest for truth—remains an eternal guiding value, even as material achievements are subject to the passage of time. If we allow ourselves to become completely absorbed in the pursuit of worldly success, we risk losing the most precious asset: the wealth of the soul, which nourishes our personality and provides a sense of a full life. By developing our inner qualities and adhering to ethical principles, we preserve our moral essence and the strength that allows us to remain genuine and whole despite the temptations of rapid material success. Such a choice becomes not merely a direction in life, but a powerful source of energy that helps us overcome life’s challenges and remain true to our steadfast values.

What is true success and do we lose important values in pursuing it?

According to the ideas expressed in the cited sources, true success is not defined by material well-being or momentary achievements, but by the quality of our inner world, our morality, and our ability to enrich our soul with eternal values. In other words, if we focus exclusively on success in the material world—the endless chase after material gains—we risk losing access to that "other world" which nourishes our soul and makes us genuinely complete individuals. As noted in one of the sources:

"Essentially, this dualism between two worlds forms the meaning of the 'good news' in all the Gospels; its paradox includes the assertion that every success in the material world, every service to its powers, is a ruin for the human soul..." (source: link txt).

This statement emphasizes that achievements and success measured by material standards can obstruct the attainment of true wealth—spiritual wealth, which is eternal. This wealth manifests not in what we accumulate in the present, but in the qualities that develop within us as the fruits of the spirit—kindness, righteousness, and truth.

Furthermore, there is a critical perspective on the risk of revising our core values in the pursuit of success. By reshaping our internal benchmarks, we may risk losing the ethical essence that defines us as rational, ethical beings. This is reflected in the following statement:

"Man as a 'thing-in-itself' is above all an ethical, morally rational being. Thus, by reshaping our values in the pursuit of success, we risk losing our ethical essence." (source: link txt).

Thus, true success lies in the harmony between our actions and our inner, eternal values. The pursuit of material achievements and prestige often leads to the loss of that wealth which cannot be measured by money—the wealth of the soul, moral principles, and spiritual qualities. Preserving these values becomes the primary guide to ensuring that we do not lose the meaning of life or reduce our existence to a transient chase after fleeting material gains.