You are the chief speaker in a debate on the topic "Wealth is more important than health," Write your speech for or against the topic.

Answer Details

The Chairman, the accurate timekeeper, the panel of respected judges, my worthy opponents, ladies and gentlemen, good day. I rise to speak against the motion that wealth is more important than health. I stand firmly on the side of health, and I intend to prove that it is the greater treasure.

My first point is that health is the very foundation of wealth. It is only a healthy person who can work, think, trade and prosper. Take away a man's health and all his riches become useless to him, for a sick millionaire on a hospital bed would gladly give away every coin he owns to be well again. This alone shows which is the more precious.

Secondly, wealth can be lost and regained, but health, once destroyed, is often gone forever. A man who loses his money today may, through effort, become rich again tomorrow. But a man who ruins his health may never recover it, no matter how much he spends. That which cannot be replaced is surely more valuable than that which can.

Thirdly, health brings a peace and enjoyment that money cannot buy. Of what use is a table loaded with the finest food to one whose illness has robbed him of appetite? Of what use is a soft bed to one whose pain denies him sleep? The healthy pauper sleeps sweetly, while the sickly rich man tosses in misery. Truly, as the elders say, health is wealth.

My opponents may argue that wealth can purchase the best medical care. I grant that money is useful, but it cannot buy health itself. Many wealthy men have died of diseases that all their riches could not cure, proving that money is only a servant, while health is the master.

Ladies and gentlemen, since health is the foundation of wealth, since it cannot easily be replaced, and since it gives the enjoyment that riches alone cannot, I urge this house to reject the motion and to agree with me that health, and not wealth, is the more important. Thank you.