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Define "wealthy" and what's your starting point?

For example, if you are starting from a point of below median income and you define wealthy as a net worth of 1-5 million dollars, it is entirely possible to get there without being corrupt. The only compromise you're likely to have to make is in the kind of work you would do. It won't necessarily being the kind of work you WANT to do.

If you are starting from a higher point and want to define wealthy as a net worth in excess of 50 million dollars, then it is not likely you can get there or stay there without being dragged into corruption along the way. Being senior management in a multi-national corporation can get you there, but as you grow in control of divisions, you will find more integrity compromises have to be made both inside the corporation and outside in its operations.

Warren Buffett springs to mine as he is rallying the government to make the wealthy pay higher taxes because right now they are taxed at a lower rate. I think that is pretty great of him to do that. It makes complete sense that passive income should be charged at the highest rate rather than have active income charged at the highest rate. The wealthy have a lot of power and influence (too much) so that's why our system is the way it is.

I know someone who is very wealthy and they are corrupt. They cheat anyway they can even going so far as to turn back their utility usage. I saw companies cheat their employees when I was working after school back in high school.

I think it's possible. It doesn't make it easier to become very wealthy if you are completely honest.

Bill Gates lied to IBM about the readiness of his operating system in the beginning and has become extremely wealthy. At least he is giving most of it back to the world.

I'm sure Warren Buffet has not been completely honest in all of his business dealings. He's also giving billions back to the world.

Does the end justify the means? Probably not, but it's better than doing nothing at all for the world that gave you everything.

This is a very good question. I think it is possible to be wealthy if you do honest work, but it will take you ten times more effort than getting wealthy while being a crook . I think a decent person can become wealthy, but not wealthy as Bil Gates

Question a - Is it possible to be wealthy?

Question a - Is it possible to be poor?

Question b - Is it possible to be honest?

Question b - Is it possible to be corrupt?

Pick any answer you like from a) and b) but only one from each.

There are poor corrupt people and rich honest ones, the world is made up of all sorts of people in all types.

The better question to ask either grouping is - are they happy?

Happy to be honest, comfortable and here. Call it balanced, karma, fate or your personal preference.

I have met some nice happy rich honest people, and some not quite so. I will stay friends with those I choose and avoid like plague the others.

You cannot buy happiness, integrity or honesty - you just are.

James

Russia sold most of its oil rights to some capitalists and they are now multi-millionaires or even billionaires. China also has partially privatized its economy and has a large number of very rich people. Look all the real estate the Chinese are buying in California. Communist leaders don't really want to destroy wealth. They just want a share of it. After all, even many years ago the Soviet Premiers vacationed and spent weekends in elaborate dachas on the Black Sea. Kim Jong Ill, the late ruler of North Korea, was afraid to fly, so he travelled to Russia in a private, and luxurious, rail car. He liked fine wine and cognac and his favorite food was lobster, which he had flown to him en route by a government helicopter. Communist leaders often have a luxurious lifestyle that any American president would envy. Many of the people in North Korea are starving, but their new leader, Kim Jong Un is a bit plump and does not seem to be hungry.

Yes definitely, you asked whether it was possible, of course the possibility is there but the probability statistics will be on the lower end. Most people are corrupt; and most people who are uncorrupted, gets corrupted eventually probably due to giving in to peer pressure; but a small minority of people will remain uncorrupted no matter what they are bribed or tempted with.

It is possible as long as the person wasn't corrupt before they became wealthy! If you have it in you, then you will be corrupt in some way, no matter how much money you have!

i am sure there are at least a couple of good honest wealthy people in this world.

and even the corrupted ones usually give to charity so they cant be completly bad!

<3

The people that are wealthy AND corrupt are the ones that make it into mainstream media - they always get busted.

The people that work hard to become wealthy legitimately are the ones you DON'T hear about.