On a strange and devious way, Siddhartha had gotten into this final and most base of all dependencies, by means of the game of dice. It was since that time, when he had stopped being a Samana in his heart, that Siddhartha began to play the game for money and precious things, which he at other times only joined with a smile and casually as a custom of the childlike people, with an increasing rage and passion. He was a feared gambler, few dared to take him on, so high and audacious were his stakes. He played the game due to a pain of his heart, losing and wasting his wretched money in the game brought him an angry joy, in no other way he could demonstrate his disdain for wealth, the merchants' false god, more clearly and more mockingly. . Hermann Hesse
About This Quote

A gambler who is driven by anger is a dangerous man. One could always win but a gambler driven by anger is a much greater danger to himself and others. Also, money in itself does not have much value, it is the thoughts and ideas that we attach to it that give us the thought of value. For example, money, in itself, is just a piece of paper or metal or other material.

It can be used to buy food, clothing and housing but at the end of the day it is still just a piece of paper or metal. In gambling, one can win or lose much larger sums of money than would be possible in real life. In real life we cannot really win or lose large sums of money. We cannot really go bankrupt or even lose our family home because it will all be covered by insurance.

In gambling we can win and lose large amounts of money however we are still playing with our own thoughts and ideas about what we think money should be worth. In gambling we are playing with our own ideas about what the meaning of life is or should be. In real life we play with our desires, hopes and dreams for the future which are all based on how much we believe they will make us happy when they come true. The idea that our lives should be filled with happiness and joy and not misery and sadness is something that we should take more seriously than just playing around with other people's ideas about happiness and joy.

Source: Siddhartha

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