"So what will solve the problem?" "This," he said tapping me gently on the head. "This stuff between your ears." It was at that moment that rich dad shared the pivotal point of view that separated him from his employees and my poor dad-and led him to eventually become one of the richest men in Hawaii while my highly educated, but poor, dad struggled financially all his life. It was a singular point of view that made all the difference over a lifetime. Rich dad said over and over, this point of view, which I call Lesson No. 1. "The poor and the middle class work for money." "The rich have money work for them.' On that bright Saturday morning, I was learning a com- pletely different point of view from what I had been taught by my poor dad. At the age of 9, I grew aware that both dads wanted me to learn. Both dads encouraged me to study... but not the same things. My highly educated dad recommended that I do what he did. "Son, I want you to study hard, get good grades, so you can find a safe, secure job with a big company. And make sure it has excellent benefits." My rich dad wanted me to learn how money works so I could make it work for The Rich Don't Work for Money 47 me. These lessons I would learn through life with his guid- ance, not because of a classroom. My rich dad continued my first lesson. "I'm glad you got angry about working for 10 cents an hour. If you had not gotten angry and had gladly accepted it, I would have to tell you that I could not teach you. You see, true learning takes energy, passion, a burning desire. Anger is a big part of that formula, for passion is anger and love combined. When it comes to money, most people want to play it safe and feel secure. So passion does not direct them. Fear does." "So is that why they'll take a job with low pay?" I asked. "Yes," said rich dad. "Some people say I exploit people because I don't pay as much as the sugar plantation or the government. I say the people exploit themselves. It's their fear, not mine." "But don't you feel you should pay them more?" I asked. "I don't have to. And besides, more money will not solve the problem. Just look at your dad. He makes a lot of money, and he still can't pay his bills. Most people, given more monynlyeUnto more debt." "So that's why the 10 cents an hour," I said, smiling. "It's a part of the lesson." "That's right," smiled rich dad. "You see, your dad went to school and got an excellent education, so he could get a high-paying job. Which he did. But he still has money problems because he never learned anything about money at school. On top of that, he believes in working for money." "And you don't?" I asked. "No, not really," said rich dad. "If you want to learn to 48 Rich Dad, Poor Dad The Rich Don't Work for Money 49 work for money, then stay in school. That is a great place to learn to do that. But if you want to learn how to have money work for you, then I will teach you that.