- Original Poster
- #1
富不過三代(富不过三代
(fu bu guo san dai)
Literally: Wealth does not pass three generations.
Meaning: It's rare that the wealth of a family can last for three generations (the 2nd may see the value of hard work, but the 3rd forgets it).
Explanation: In business, the first generation works extremely hard, so that the second generation reaps the benefits. By the time the third generation arrives, the wealth is squandered.
Compare: the proverb of Lancashire, England: "Clogs to clogs in three generations: the first generation makes it [money/wealth], the second generation saves it and the third generation spends it!". In Victorian times, clogs were wooden soled working mens' shoes, commonly worn in the factories of Northern England.
I've always been interested in this old proverb and see it to be true many times.
I was reminded of it again whilst watching the fascinating story of Emilia Fox's ancestors on Who Do You Think You Are last night. Her great great grandfather (I think) started work in a factory at the age of 8 but then turned out to be a multi millionaire through his engineering inventions that he single handedly paid for the construction of the Royal College of Music. His son then had no occupation because he didn't need to work and his grandson, a theatre agent, then proceeded to spend his entire inheritance and the fortune was gone.
(fu bu guo san dai)Literally: Wealth does not pass three generations.
Meaning: It's rare that the wealth of a family can last for three generations (the 2nd may see the value of hard work, but the 3rd forgets it).
Explanation: In business, the first generation works extremely hard, so that the second generation reaps the benefits. By the time the third generation arrives, the wealth is squandered.
Compare: the proverb of Lancashire, England: "Clogs to clogs in three generations: the first generation makes it [money/wealth], the second generation saves it and the third generation spends it!". In Victorian times, clogs were wooden soled working mens' shoes, commonly worn in the factories of Northern England.
I've always been interested in this old proverb and see it to be true many times.
I was reminded of it again whilst watching the fascinating story of Emilia Fox's ancestors on Who Do You Think You Are last night. Her great great grandfather (I think) started work in a factory at the age of 8 but then turned out to be a multi millionaire through his engineering inventions that he single handedly paid for the construction of the Royal College of Music. His son then had no occupation because he didn't need to work and his grandson, a theatre agent, then proceeded to spend his entire inheritance and the fortune was gone.
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