Chris Rock

The real wisdom here concerns *freedom*, not net worth—and that distinction changes everything. A millionaire trapped in a terrible job or relationship has fewer options than a modest earner with no dependents and low overhead. Rock points to something psychology confirms: money matters most at the margins, where it buys you the ability to say no, to leave, to wait for something better. That's why a person with $50,000 saved and minimal obligations often sleeps better than someone with a six-figure salary who can't afford to lose a single paycheck.