Success vs Greatness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ7Nirqxa0A

Perhaps one of the most prestigious and prolific American Scholar, public intellectual, sociologist, critic, pastor, and civil rights activist of our generation, Dr. Cornel West speaks on a theory of Justice and what it means to truly experience greatness. He comments that "Success is a means to Greatness" and "never to confuse finacial prosperity with moral magnanimity(quality of nobility or greatness of soul, high-mindedness).

In our pursuit of success and prosperity, it is easy to forget what it means to actually live for something meaningful and what it means to be human. If we are not careful, we can become "success machines" looking to make our own kingdom in this world, but never know what it means to contribute to a world that needs more than media attention or financial aid, or another "We are the world" hit single (even though it was good). In my personal opinion i believe that first step in connecting with the world to make it better is to understand that we are all already connected. The next i believe is to ask yourself what can you do on behalf of others. Is anybody looking to achieve greatness anymore, or are we looking for temporary success?

Can we really criticize those who openly celebrate and flaunt their financial prosperity in these times? I don't think so, but are we beginning to place finanical prosperity above moral principle and intrinsic good?