I am a man who, from his youth upwards, has been filled with a profound conviction that the easiest way of life is the best. Hence, though I belong to a profession proverbially energetic and nervous, even to turbulence, at times, yet nothing of that sort have I ever suffered to invade my peace. I am one of those unambitious lawyers who never addresses a jury, or in any way draws down public applause; but in the cool tranquillity of a snug retreat, do a snug business among rich men’s bonds and mortgages and title-deeds.

From “Bartleby, The Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street” by Herman Melville

Herman Melville describes with eloquence someone who abandons the hard work of his profession to find an easy way to make money: “in the cool tranquillity of a snug retreat, do a snug business among rich men’s bonds and mortgages and title-deeds.” It must be a terribly tedious job. Quite a few Wall Street businessmen have been very ambitious. In this country and abroad, a lot of lawful citizens still endure the consequences of their greed. Of course, Main Street is not the fairest ground either. For many years, I thought that if you did a conscientious job and worked hard somehow the money would find you and fill your wallet. I wish it worked that way.