Suffering Of The Poor Is Related To Suffering Of The Rich

The people that we take things from are not other than ourselves. When, in the richer countries of Europe and in the United States, we forget about the suffering brought about by poverty in other parts of the world or even for people in our own country, we consume in a way that exploits poor people. Poverty creates violence, and sooner or later that violence will bring about suffering for the richer countries and the richer people. The suffering of the poor is directly related to the suffering of the rich.  

~ Thich Nhat Hanh

You Don't Have To Be Rich To Help People

You don’t have to be rich to help people. In fact, if you’re too wealthy, you can’t help people. People who are rich want to continue being rich, so they invest all their time and energy in maintaining their wealth; they don’t even have time to take care of themselves and their families, so how can they help other people? Being wealthy is not a good condition for spiritual life. To live simply and to be happy is something that is possible. When you transform yourself into a bodhisattva, an awakened being, you have a lot of power—not the power associated with fame and money, but the power that helps you to be free and that enables you to help and bring relief to many people.

~ Thich Nhat Hanh