The 2024 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James Robinson, who have demonstrated the importance of societal institutions for a country’s prosperity. Societies with a poor rule of law and institutions that exploit the population do not generate growth or change for the better.
While I do not deny the role of good governance in a country prosperity, but i do believe this old proverb has much more truth to it.
The quote talks about being selfless and thinking long-term. It’s saying that a society becomes truly great when people take actions today that benefit others down the line, even if they won’t personally see the payoff. The image of “old men planting trees” shows people who are willing to do something good, knowing they won’t be around to enjoy the shade. They’re doing it for future generations.
In the end, it’s a reminder that progress and growth come from thinking about more than just ourselves. What we do today matters, and making lasting change means caring about how our actions affect the future.
Multi generational projects are what really make nations shine, and for that to happen, you need to have people willing to sacrifice their time without seeing the result of their sacrifices. This mindset is also what builds the multigenerational wealth.
