Posted by Shirley Wang on April 27, 19102 at 08:37:29:
While only a child, I have fantasized about a successful and wealthy life in the future. From an immature perspective, I viewed wealth as the only symbol of success. After I grew up, graduated from a university and had a few years of working experience, when faced with the same question, I would draw a conclusion that my previous point is too narrow.
Certainly, I would not attempt to say that the money which the success might confer is not a part of the real world. But the problem I have with the title statement is that without regard to the standard of success --- of coming to the fore in a particular field, of realizing one¡¯s dream, and of providing unselfish help to many other people --- a person¡¯s pursuit of success can become destructive. A certain type of person may fight his or her way, sometimes by hook or crook, out of poverty in the name of pursuing success. It is dangerous to have an opinion that making much money equals success, since it may result in money-oriented behavior.
History also presents many examples of successful but not rich person. There were such a large number of prominent artists whose art works were not appreciated by their contemporaries before they died: van Gogh is a good example. Balzac, it should be remembered, were impecunious for his whole career.
A more actual reason why I disagree with the above statement is that to different person, the meaning of success is distinct. As for many students, they devote all their time to a goal of getting academic recognition and attaining an outstanding achievement after graduation. When some parents are asked, they might answer that success means a harmonious family and several children in whom they can take pride.
The title statement is incomplete because the versatility of life presents us with several forms of success. Earning a lot of money is only one such form. As far as I am concerned, the realization of one¡¯s own value may be the most irreplaceable part of success.