Why build wealth? Why have it if you still cowar yourself to the like of someone else? Or a strong desire you cannot be without.
Take Columbia University. With over $14 billion... yes with a "B" endowment. But when the current President makes threats to hold or stop federal money from going there, unless the university acts the way he wants, they agreed. It is an approximate $400 million carrot being hung in front of Columbia and they could not resist. This isn't a $400 million yearly draw, its spread out over several years. Compared to the endowment fund at Columbia, the federal contract is a non-factor.
It goes to show that we can build a name. A strong war chest. Have billions to use. Independence and freedom only matters if its flexed. If used in times When and where needed. Like Harvard telling the president and his that administration "we'll see you in court."
What is your price? $400 million? $4, 000? What will you sell yourself for? Columbia, certainly has a reputation, a name, a reason for being a prestigious institution. Whether or not they still garner respect is up to each of us, individually. Do you have a price? Does your dream or vision or mission have a price?
I believe we sell ourselves cheaply. Sex. Drugs, alcohol. Comfort. Junk food, Pleasures that only last the moment with regret and shame that lasts longer.