Jack Ma is probably China’s most successful internet entrepreneur, and he’s one of China’s wealthiest men. But appearing on a Chinese TV program earlier this week, he spoke more about his wealth and revealed that his happiest days were when he was dirt poor.
“I am not interested in money, because my happiest times were when I was a teacher making RMB 91* a month,” Ma told the audience of the CCTV program Lecture. “Back then I was saving money every month, thinking if I just tough it out for a few more months I can buy a bicycle.”
“Now, I don’t have that need, or that worry. Why would I worry about money? To me, money is a resource that I can use. But the more money you have, the more things you have to do. When they talk about China’s richest man, that is also the man with the most responsibilities. I didn’t know that until I experienced it.”
“If you don’t have the right ideas, the right methods, haven’t teamed up with the right people, or don’t have that persistent effort, you cannot be successful,” Ma continued.
Ma also told the audience that he was once asked if he would trade his riches for a young man’s youth. “I would,” he responded instantly, “but that guy would regret it. What use does money have? It is not yours. Our wealth is what society has entrusted us with to invest better, and that’s it. If you think that it is your money, then your misfortune has begun.”
If you can understand Chinese, you can check out Jack Ma’s full segment on Lecture here.
If you were rich, would you trade your wealth for youth?
See: Jack Ma on flattery, arrogance, and why he has a weird face
*RMB 91 is equivalent to just US$14 now, but back when Jack Ma was teaching in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the standard and costs of living in China were significantly lower than they are today.
Photo by Asia Society
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