fame and fortune, which would it be and why?

My partner asked me that and was quite surprised by my answer.

What is yours?

The big danger in either is the old saying about pride  "Those whom the Gods would destroy they first make proud".  It depends on why one is famous or how they made their $$.

I chose 'anonymous' fame.
An example I gave was Margaret Sanger. Her name is not a household word, and people might not have a clue what she looks like. She could walk down the street in privacy without ever fearing the mobs wanting her autograph. And yet women (and men) will forever be grateful for all that she did to bring us birth control pills. She changed our lives forever, and made a difference.

And while I could make a huge difference with fortune also, I would rather have a personal hand in the changing of lives.

That's what I mean..


"to whom much is given, much is required"

-- Modified on 11/23/2003 4:49:29 PM

Do either of them have implants?

I read it a few years ago and don' have a copy of it to quote directly but in the "Art of War" in one of the opening stories the best family in a family of doctors was the one no one had heard of because his patients were never sick or required miraculous cures.  That is the kind of fame I would like to have.

AS to wealth, the love  and good cheer of the people I know and care about is really what I want.

That is why I clash with My ATF, she is very materialistic and into being a jetsetter.  I want a much more simple life.  I maybe too far gone to get it but I hope not.

less IS more. I want very few material things and as long as I can live comfortably and happy that's enough for me.

And I agree that the true wealth is in the love of friends and family around you. We certainly learned that on 9/11..

I am famous with those who love me. Because of that... I am rich beyond my wildest dreams.

I do what I do, because I must and because I am driven to do so. If fame and fortune comes from it, it will be because of the value placed by others.

I'd like to rephrase the question:

If someone were to offer to make you as famous as Madonna or as rich as Bill Gates, what would you choose?

as the question that was asked of me was just as I posted it, and I answered it just as I did to Catlin.

I wouldn't want the recognizable fame that Madonna has because who would want to have to hide from the media and never really have any privacy; have bodyguards, etc.? Sounds like a prison to me.

I don't know if Bill Gates gets mobbed by the public, but if he does, it would seem to be much less than Madonna and certainly in a different way.

With those choices, and worded that way, I'd have to choose Billy.

Last thing in the world I would want is to be living in the "fishbowl" of fame. I however would have no trouble adjusting to the wreched excesses that having great wealth could bring. It could ultimately kill me but I'll take that chance

Question: But most people think if you get famous, then you have nothing to worry about.

Murray: What I tell people: If you want to be rich and famous, why not just try rich?

I would take the fortune. I have no desire to be famous. I am a "star" in my kids eyes and that is more than enough for me.

Note to sedona: Bill Gates doesnt often get mobbed, just gets an occasional pie in the face.

Bill Gates in a second.

All the money to get what I need AND want.

Free time to enjoy it.

Plenty to share with my SO (then again, a party with 40 of my friends and 50 escorts at a huge block of suites in Vegas would be cool)

Plenty to donate to a myriad of causes, which will bring me joy as I get to play Santa Claus to as many causes as I can.

Oh, and I could take to jet to Paris, Venice, or Florence on a whim.  (I feel like some chocolate, honey..... wanna go to Switzerland or Belgium?)

I wouldn't want fame for all the tea in China. Fortune would allow me to hobby with the best ladies in the world and to my hearts content, but fame would make me so cautious of getting caught I would rarely take advantage of it. With fortune I could buy a hot red Ferrari, but if I was famous I would never take it out of the garage because of stalkers and paparazzi.

I once saw Israeli Prime Minister Sharon and he looked like a prisoner among his bodyguards

Once while visiting Manhattan, my friend and I went to a certain restaurant to eat. We were told the restaurant was closed due to a private party.

As we turned to leave, we heard a lot of commotion in the street and saw multiple limos and 5-6 police cars pulling up. They were accompanying and protecting Ariel Sharon who was the "private party" that night. There were about 15-20 in the entourage, many of whom appeared to be American Secret Service. There were no women, just Sharon in the middle of a crowd of burly men.

Art that moment, I felt sorry that anyone would have to live such a life...he can't even go out to dinner without having an large entourage of bodyguards to protect him.

So, my choice is clear...I'll take the fortune and leave the fame to others.  

merely the public's perception of you. I could really care less what people think of me or why.



Give me the fortune. And the freedoms, financial wealth and independance that come along with it!! Having a fortune gives a person choices, choices to do good or bad yes, but choices nonetheless.



Making wise decisions, and what you do with your fortune would cause the fame to follow.

Jimbo