Money is not everything

A carpenter at work
Source not known

Franklin D. Roosevelt  is quoted as saying

“Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.”

The Ipswich Journal of 27 November 1802 reported:

A man named Abel, of Ewell, in Surrey, originally of promising expectations, having lost an estate to which he was entitled by the collusion of an attorney, went into Germany, where he resided as an organ-builder, and on his return, settled in Ewell as a journeyman carpenter, which humble occupation he cheerfully carried on undisturbed by the commercial visions either of wealth or ambition. Contented with his earnings, he existed in the unvaried routine of diurnal labour and evening repose, when a Gentleman of the law being apprised of the poor carpenter’s claims, exerted himself with such ability and perseverance, that a decree reversing the former had been obtained, and a few weeks ago the astonished Abel came up to town to take possession of an estate, consisting of houses in Rosemary-lane and environs, estimated in annual value to considerably exceed £10,000. At first he conceived himself the happiest of men; and the novelty of wealth amused him, but growing fatigued by the unusual scene in which he was embarked, and listless for want of his accustomed occupation, he has since returned to Ewell, and having experienced the inefficacy of mere riches conferring happiness, enjoys, in tile exercise of his former humble employment, that true felicity which must ever result from a state devoid of the anxiety of care, and free from the corroding torments of ennui*. In the course of the previous investigation, it was requisite to search the Cathedral at Winchester for some title deeds appertaining to the estate, which had lain there since the usurpation of Cromwell, one of the most material of which after a laborious search, was discovered wrapped around a quart bottle.

* a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement.