Riches vs Wealth: A Cautionary Tale From 'The Hobbit'
The story of dwarven king Thorin Oakenshield in J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novel perfectly illustrates how the relentless pursuit of wealth can undermine the fulfilling experience of true riches.

In Middle-earth, the Lonely Mountain, once a thriving dwarven kingdom called Erebor, was taken over by the dragon Smaug, who hoarded its immense treasure. Thorin Oakenshield, the rightful heir, grew up haunted by the loss of his home and vowed to reclaim it. Determined, he gathered a company, including the unsuspecting Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, for the dangerous quest to restore the dwarves’ kingdom.
Initially reluctant and out of depth, Bilbo surprised everyone with his courage and resourcefulness. He saved his bearded friends from trolls and spiders and even helped navigate tricky relations with the Elves of Mirkwood. As their adventure unfolded, Bilbo's perspective shifted — he realized that true wealth wasn’t just about gold but about friendships and experiences.
Meanwhile, Thorin’s obsession with reclaiming his ancestral riches grew and clouded his judgment. Seeing the dangers of unchecked greed, Bilbo became a voice of wisdom, urging balance and cooperation. He recognized that Erebor’s wealth could benefit not just the dwarves but other kingdoms if shared wisely.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
But Thorin’s desire for power intensified as tensions escalated, and Bilbo’s loyalty and insight became crucial. He understood that the real treasure lay in the bonds they formed and the lessons learned rather than in material wealth. Ultimately, Bilbo’s actions were key to the quest’s resolution, emphasizing that true wealth is found in love, friendship and the inner peace that comes from living a life of balance and humility.
A powerful reminder
Thorin’s and Bilbo’s intertwined journeys serve as a powerful reminder that while ambition can drive us, the intangibles of wealth — relationships, love and wisdom — hold the greatest value in our lives.
Like Bilbo, some find the thrill of new adventures away from home enticing. For others, deepening friendships and forging new relationships top the retirement agenda, while spending more time with family becomes the primary focus for some.
Recent studies indicate that cultivating the right mindset can lead to happiness even with modest financial resources. Moreover, when utilized effectively, increased money can unlock opportunities, foster stronger relationships and ultimately contribute to greater overall happiness.
However, amassing millions in your retirement funds isn't a requirement to experience abundance, and once your retirement account hits a certain threshold, no amount of increased value tips the scales of happiness, joy and well-being. The notion of eternally running on the hamster wheel of investment returns, stock market conditions and lease agreements has a negative, even detrimental, impact on happiness during retirement.
Imagine entering your retirement years fueled by a profound sense of purpose, vibrancy and wholeness. A new life stage abundant not with worries about dwindling significance but with exhilarating prospects for delving into your profound wisdom, expressing your talents and persistently evolving — all the way to your last breath.
The retirement goal
As much hype as our culture gives to “youth,” our later seasons promise even sweeter fruit that can be harvested only through years of cultivating meaning, increased social skills and self-awareness. Yet, too often, retirement is viewed as little more than a final career curtain call — trading titles for golf and grandkids. Fulfillment runs much deeper.
The goal in retirement is not to stop working but to continuously blossom, not to achieve some final crowded hour of glory, but to flourish through every hour granted to us. Our later seasons must hold far more than just nostalgia and relief that our productive years have passed. Our older chapters should overflow with legacy building, creativity unlocking and intimate relationships ripening at last — that we may squeeze every last succulent drop out of a life well lived.
The story of Thorin Oakenshield, the dwarven king from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, vividly illustrates how the relentless pursuit of wealth can undermine the true experience of riches. Thorin’s obsession with gold and power ultimately led to the downfall of not only his own life, but also the lives of those around him.
Thorin possessed unimaginable wealth after Bard the Bowman slew the dragon Smaug. The vast halls of Erebor echoed with the clinking of gold and the shimmer of precious gems, a treasure trove that could fulfill any material desire. However, despite Thorin's vast amount of riches, it wasn’t enough. The allure of gold consumed his heart, blinding him to the true treasures that lay beyond material riches.
Devastating consequences
In his relentless quest for more, Thorin shattered bonds of trust and kinship — forces far more powerful than any treasure. The nearby village, which had played a crucial role in Smaug's demise, sought not just recompense in gold, but also friendship and unity. Yet, Thorin, blinded by his own desires, failed to recognize the importance of these relationships and neglected to share his fortune with those who had suffered alongside him.
The consequences of Thorin's greed were devastating. The village, which had bravely fought to slay the dragon, was left in ruins, its people scarred by the aftermath of Thorin's insatiable thirst for wealth. Thorin Oakenshield is forever known as the richest dwarf in the graveyard of the Lonely Mountain.
This cautionary tale poignantly reminds us that true wealth lies not in the accumulation of material goods but in the strength of our relationships, the love we share and the time we invest in nurturing those bonds. Thorin's tragic downfall starkly highlights that pursuing riches at the expense of relationships can lead to a hollow existence devoid of any real wealth.
Related Content
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Dr. Richard Himmer is a seasoned professional with expertise in Emotional Intelligence (EI), Clinical Hypnotherapy and Workplace Bullying prevention. He holds an MBA, a master’s degree in psychology and a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. He combines academic knowledge with practical experience. His doctoral dissertation focused on the Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Workplace Bullying, showcasing his commitment to understanding and addressing complex workplace dynamics. Dr. Himmer leverages the subconscious (EI) to facilitate internal healing, fostering healthy interpersonal relationships built on trust and respect.
-
I'm 60, just paid off my $1 million home and have $750K in retirement savings — can I retire now?
By Eileen Ambrose Published
-
Presidents' Day Sales 2025: Where To Find The Best Deals
Discover unbeatable discounts from Amazon, Costco, Walmart and BJ's Wholesale this Presidents' Day.
By Brittany Leitner Published
-
I'm 60, just paid off my $1 million home and have $750K in retirement savings — can I retire now?
By Eileen Ambrose Published
-
Heirs Inheriting Crypto? Don't Make It a Headache for Them
If you have cryptocurrency in your estate, you'll need meticulous plans and clear instructions to ensure beneficiaries don't lose out after you're gone.
By Patrick M. Simasko, J.D. Published
-
DIY Retirement Planning: A Smart Move or a Risky Endeavor?
You can cut the cost of retirement planning by doing it yourself. But for something this important, it might be wiser to call in the professionals.
By Jennifer Lahaie, RICP®, CTS™, CAS® Published
-
Galentine's Day: A Time to Promote Financial Literacy Among Friends
Here are three things women can do to help their friends gain financial knowledge and confidence.
By Stacy Francis, CFP®, CDFA®, CES™ Published
-
Stock Market Today: Markets Turn Lower on Nasty Inflation Surprise
Equities sold off after a hot reading on consumer price inflation pushed back rate cuts to autumn or year-end.
By Dan Burrows Published
-
Social Security Payments Were Suspended for Some Americans Abroad. Here's What to Know
Retirees living abroad must complete a questionnaire every 1 to 2 years when sent by the SSA. Failure to respond can lead to the suspension of your benefits; here's how to fix it.
By Donna LeValley Published
-
Trump Wants to Shut Down the CFPB: Why Retirees Should Care
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has done a lot to protect consumers, including retirees, since its inception nearly fourteen years ago.
By Donna Fuscaldo Published
-
CPI Report Puts the Kibosh on Rate Cuts: What the Experts Are Saying About Inflation
CPI Consumer price inflation reared its ugly head to start the year, dashing hopes for the Fed to lower borrowing costs anytime soon.
By Dan Burrows Published