But, from a cosmic point of view, being spiritually "poor" is not determined by physical poverty, destitution, hunger and suffering. Do we not see that the animals in nature, who are mentally far below human beings, are, on the whole, supplied with the requirements that are essential to their lives so that they can reproduce themselves, play, romp and enjoy life? Here there are no "rich men" or "poor tramps". Here there is no Croesus-existence caused by the monopolisation of life's necessities. Here we clearly see that it is not the intention of life that beings shall monopolise matter or the necessities of life to a greater extent than demanded by their natural needs; it is not the intention of life that they use superfluous material to create artificial differences of rank or turn themselves into artificial members of the upper class. It is this truth that is confirmed by the old proverb: "Pride goes before a fall". "Pride", which is the diametrical opposite of "humility", is identical to nothing but the notion or belief that one, by virtue of one's own appropriated assets or accumulated materials, is a much greater or more perfect being than one's "neighbour" who does not possess such riches. And as one is not yet mature enough or spiritually qualified to bear the feeling of being superior to one's fellow beings, one becomes unpleasant towards one's "neighbour", who has not yet reached the same material position as oneself. One looks upon him as being merely a "primitive" being that one has the right to exploit. And in many cases the "rich man" has such a being entirely in his power. The latter's financial existence is wholly dependent on him being exploited by the rich man. Indeed, the wages for the great amount of work that he does for him, perhaps from morning till night, are naturally forced down as much as possible, and are even at times regarded by the "rich man" as a "favour" he bestows upon the poor man. And as the poor man, on account of this situation, cannot be a match for the "rich man" with regard to clothes or luxury, but at times has to accept the "rich man's" used and discarded clothes and articles for everyday use, and, with regard to housing, is reduced to living in a garret or cellar, his identity as a being from a "lower class" is further emphasised in a clear or very material way.