The Idle Rich

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 13, 1911

The “idle rich” is a term sometimes applied to some of the wealthier classes who live upon the income of their inheritance, and follow no money-making vocation. It would seem, however, from a report recently made by the London Board of Trade, that the term should be given broader application. According to this report, only 39 per cent of the people of the United States are engaged in any gainful occupation. Great Britain comes next, with only 44 per cent so engaged; then comes Hungary, with 44 per cent; Germany, 45 per cent; Belgium, 50 per cent; Italy, 50 per cent; France, 51 per cent; and Austria, 51 per cent. It would seem from general observation that this report must be erroneous; yet there are many to be found in every community who seem to have lost, if they ever possessed, a definite life-purpose, and whose lives are surrendered to no useful end. This observation, however, applies quite as well to some of the poorer classes as to the so-called rich.