Or Not
August 12, 2010 (Thursday)
Last night I fell asleep while watching television, and slept fitfully for two hours, sitting in the chair, with my dreams being invaded by a guy on T.V. trying to sell me something. He was well-dressed and looked very successful, and he talked about his success and how I could get rich just like him. All I had to do was send for his stuff, read his materials, and follow his instructions, and I would be on “easy street” for the rest of my life. I mean, millions of dollars are out there somewhere, just waiting for me to take the magic step. All I had to do was call his number. It all seemed like a dream, because I was never really awake. Not until this morning did I realize it was T.V.
I confess that one day, long ago, when I was even more naïve than I am today, I sent off for a book on how to rescue myself from my financial misery. I don’t even remember what the book suggested. It was not helpful at all. I do remember thinking at the time, this is how this man is making his money. He probably went broke doing the things he is now suggesting in his book. Now he’s getting rich, just like he says he is, but not by doing what he suggests I do. He’s rich because, as P.T. Barnum said, “There’s a sucker born every minute.” There are plenty of people left who will believe the latest scam, buy the materials (so easy—just pick up the phone) and by so doing, contribute to the wealth of the guy on T.V. who is getting richer even as I write.
Remember this age-old bit of wisdom: “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.” Unless you are the guy making the pitch.
Somewhere in the Bible, in the Book of Proverbs, there are warnings against the wishful thinking that there must be a way around hard work. Next time we are tempted to “just make that call,” maybe we should read Proverbs instead.