Riches vs Wealth: A Cautionary Tale From 'The Hobbit'

Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield in "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies."

(Image credit: Lifestyle pictures / Alamy Stock Photo)

published 29 September 2024

In Middle-earth, the Lonely Mountain, once a thriving dwarven kingdom called Erebor, was taken over by the dragon Smaug, who hoarded its immense treasure. Thorin Oakenshield, the rightful heir, grew up haunted by the loss of his home and vowed to reclaim it. Determined, he gathered a company, including the unsuspecting Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, for the dangerous quest to restore the dwarves’ kingdom.

Initially reluctant and out of depth, Bilbo surprised everyone with his courage and resourcefulness. He saved his bearded friends from trolls and spiders and even helped navigate tricky relations with the Elves of Mirkwood. As their adventure unfolded, Bilbo's perspective shifted — he realized that true wealth wasn’t just about gold but about friendships and experiences.

Meanwhile, Thorin’s obsession with reclaiming his ancestral riches grew and clouded his judgment. Seeing the dangers of unchecked greed, Bilbo became a voice of wisdom, urging balance and cooperation. He recognized that Erebor’s wealth could benefit not just the dwarves but other kingdoms if shared wisely.

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But Thorin’s desire for power intensified as tensions escalated, and Bilbo’s loyalty and insight became crucial. He understood that the real treasure lay in the bonds they formed and the lessons learned rather than in material wealth. Ultimately, Bilbo’s actions were key to the quest’s resolution, emphasizing that true wealth is found in love, friendship and the inner peace that comes from living a life of balance and humility.

A powerful reminder

Thorin’s and Bilbo’s intertwined journeys serve as a powerful reminder that while ambition can drive us, the intangibles of wealth — relationships, love and wisdom — hold the greatest value in our lives.

Like Bilbo, some find the thrill of new adventures away from home enticing. For others, deepening friendships and forging new relationships top the retirement agenda, while spending more time with family becomes the primary focus for some.

Recent studies indicate that cultivating the right mindset can lead to happiness even with modest financial resources. Moreover, when utilized effectively, increased money can unlock opportunities, foster stronger relationships and ultimately contribute to greater overall happiness.

However, amassing millions in your retirement funds isn't a requirement to experience abundance, and once your retirement account hits a certain threshold, no amount of increased value tips the scales of happiness, joy and well-being. The notion of eternally running on the hamster wheel of investment returns, stock market conditions and lease agreements has a negative, even detrimental, impact on happiness during retirement.

Imagine entering your retirement years fueled by a profound sense of purpose, vibrancy and wholeness. A new life stage abundant not with worries about dwindling significance but with exhilarating prospects for delving into your profound wisdom, expressing your talents and persistently evolving — all the way to your last breath.

The retirement goal

As much hype as our culture gives to “youth,” our later seasons promise even sweeter fruit that can be harvested only through years of cultivating meaning, increased social skills and self-awareness. Yet, too often, retirement is viewed as little more than a final career curtain call — trading titles for golf and grandkids. Fulfillment runs much deeper.

The goal in retirement is not to stop working but to continuously blossom, not to achieve some final crowded hour of glory, but to flourish through every hour granted to us. Our later seasons must hold far more than just nostalgia and relief that our productive years have passed. Our older chapters should overflow with legacy building, creativity unlocking and intimate relationships ripening at last — that we may squeeze every last succulent drop out of a life well lived.

The story of Thorin Oakenshield, the dwarven king from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, vividly illustrates how the relentless pursuit of wealth can undermine the true experience of riches. Thorin’s obsession with gold and power ultimately led to the downfall of not only his own life, but also the lives of those around him.

Thorin possessed unimaginable wealth after Bard the Bowman slew the dragon Smaug. The vast halls of Erebor echoed with the clinking of gold and the shimmer of precious gems, a treasure trove that could fulfill any material desire. However, despite Thorin's vast amount of riches, it wasn’t enough. The allure of gold consumed his heart, blinding him to the true treasures that lay beyond material riches.

Devastating consequences

In his relentless quest for more, Thorin shattered bonds of trust and kinship — forces far more powerful than any treasure. The nearby village, which had played a crucial role in Smaug's demise, sought not just recompense in gold, but also friendship and unity. Yet, Thorin, blinded by his own desires, failed to recognize the importance of these relationships and neglected to share his fortune with those who had suffered alongside him.

The consequences of Thorin's greed were devastating. The village, which had bravely fought to slay the dragon, was left in ruins, its people scarred by the aftermath of Thorin's insatiable thirst for wealth. Thorin Oakenshield is forever known as the richest dwarf in the graveyard of the Lonely Mountain.

This cautionary tale poignantly reminds us that true wealth lies not in the accumulation of material goods but in the strength of our relationships, the love we share and the time we invest in nurturing those bonds. Thorin's tragic downfall starkly highlights that pursuing riches at the expense of relationships can lead to a hollow existence devoid of any real wealth.

Disclaimer

This article was written by and presents the views of our contributing adviser, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. You can check adviser records with the SEC or with FINRA.

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Dr. Richard Himmer is a seasoned professional with expertise in Emotional Intelligence (EI), Clinical Hypnotherapy and Workplace Bullying prevention. He holds an MBA, a master’s degree in psychology and a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. He combines academic knowledge with practical experience. His doctoral dissertation focused on the Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Workplace Bullying, showcasing his commitment to understanding and addressing complex workplace dynamics. Dr. Himmer leverages the subconscious (EI) to facilitate internal healing, fostering healthy interpersonal relationships built on trust and respect.