Different words are used controversially to denote two opposite things. The words rich and poor are used commonly to indicate two strata of people in society. But these words have many other usages. Each is the opposite of the other. The most common usage of these words can be seen while explaining the economic status of a person. They are also used to denote the abundance and absence of things.
Rich vs Poor
The main difference between Rich and Poor is that the word rich is used to indicate the abundance of something while poor denotes the lack of certain things. The words rich and poor are used to describe the financial stability of a person. Rich people are financially independent and poor people are not. Rich has a constable and stable source of income but the poor lack this.
Rich is the word people use to point out something with a surplus supply. The people who have a lot of money are called rich people. Richness is not only considered in terms of wealth but is also used to denote other things. For example, a country with a large number of people can be said it is rich in population.
Poor is the word commonly used to refer to less wealthy people. But it also has other meanings like low in something. For example, If a cloth is poor in quality it is prone to damage easily and it is not preferred. Likewise, the word poor has different usage in different places.
Comparison Table Between Rich and Poor
| Parameters of Comparison | Rich | Poor |
| Lifestyle | Luxurious | Working hard to meet their needs |
| Food | They eat a variety of foods | They eat less nutritious food |
| Possesions | Many houses, luxury cars, etc | May own a house but some are homeless |
| Education | They get quality education | Children usually don’t attend school. But some get educated |
| Financial stability | Financially stable | They are financially unstable since most of them do not have a proper job |
What is Rich?
When considering the economic status of people. Rich people have abundant wealth and live a luxurious life. They own houses, costly automobiles, and properties. They have a surplus of wealth and money left even after spending for their livelihood. Some Rich people are very generous and indulge in charity works. Rich people either inherit fortunes from ancestors or earn themselves.
Rich people have all the material things that are essential for life and also as luxury. They have servants to help with household chores and to operate their vehicles. Most of the Rich are busy working so their kids are taken care of by servants. These children are provided a good education and given all opportunities to express their talents and become successful in their life.
The word rich has several other usages. If food is smooth and luscious, it is denoted as Rich in taste and texture. If another food is diverse with different flavors it is designated as something rich in flavors. A flower smelling sweet can be said it is rich in fragrance.
When a forest is diverse in fauna and flora this nature can be termed rich in biodiversity. Rich people with rich mindsets invest their time and money into something beneficial and gain profits.
What is Poor?
Poor is a word commonly used to refer the people with low income and unstable financial status. Poor people don’t have much money to save. They depend on their daily wages to live their life. The life of some poor people can be very miserable that they struggle to find food two times a day.
They work hard and even children in poor families work on holidays. In many countries, poor people are supported by the government and other charities. Poor people do not have the option to enjoy any luxury they rather find happiness in the small blessings of life. The children don’t get a better education.
They may not get healthy food and usually develop health problems during later stages of life. They are always hardworking and miss the simple comforts of life. Very poor people have no shelter and suffer during adverse climates. Better sanitation and health are absent in the lives of very poor people.
A thing is said to be poor if it is low in quality or lacks something. A person with poor knowledge lacks the skills in something. Poor nutrition is a term used to indicate the lack of nutrition in the meal of people. Poor intake of food means the person is not consuming much. Financially poor people may lack many major nutrients and hence develop many diseases.
Main Differences Between Rich and Poor
- Rich has a surplus of materials and money while poor people lack both and they work hard to get the things that are essential to lead a life
- Rich people have a constant source of income but, poor people depend on daily wages, and they may lose this job at any time
- Rich people are financially stable with a constant income source while poor people have less money and they depend on someone for their needs
- Rich live a luxurious lifestyle with all the comforts whereas the poor lack these luxuries and barely get their basic needs met
- Children of the Rich get a good education but poor children are forced to earn money in some countries
Conclusion
The rich live a life that is far different than the poor. Rich get all the material things they want and spend money on whatever they want. But, the poor don’t spend so much because all the money they make will be spent on their basic needs. Rich go on vacation, buy luxury things, and have a quality lifestyle. But these things are just dreams to the poor.
The rich and poor status is determined only by society. It is mainly based on how much money a person has. Society also treats people based on their economic status in many situations. After all, money is not everything. Poor may not have money but if they have peace of mind and joy they are rich.
References
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/2006549
- http://www.s4.brown.edu/us2010/News/inthenews.PDFs/Jan_Feb.2012/us2010.news.2012.02.09.nyt.pdf