happy dejection

"It's much better to be miserable with money than without."
- Bette Midler

Translation

The Art of Making Money Plenty by Benjamin Franklin

"At this time when the general complaint is that money is so scarce it must be an act of kindness to inform the moneyless how they can reinforce their purses. I will acquaint all with the true secret of money catching, the certain way to fill empty purses and how to keep them always full. Two simple rules will do the business: 1st Let honesty and labor be thy constant companions; 2nd Spend one penny every day less than thy clear gains. Then shall thy purse soon begin to thrive, thy creditors will never insult thee nor want oppress nor hunger neither bite, nor naked freeze thee, the whole hemisphere will shine brighter, and pleasure spring up in every corner of thy heart. Now thereby embrace these rules and be happy."

Doctor Franklin. Born January 7th 1706 O.S. Died, April 17th 1790.

chinese poverty

"But I'm loved by society so I never feel sad."

- A student who lives in China on less than $1.25 per day. However according to the World Bank 500 million people have been lifted out of poverty in a generation; the national poverty rate has fallen from 64% to 10%.