Citatet från Kurt Vonnegut Jr.s "Jailbird" återspeglar en ungdomlig idealism när det gäller rikedom och dess ursprung. The author implies that he once thought a wealthy individual should appreciate and understand the source of their riches, suggesting a moral responsibility that comes with great fortune. Detta perspektiv erkänner han emellertid senare som naiv, när han kämpar med komplexiteten i rikedom och moral.

Vonnegut contrasts this earlier belief with a more pragmatic view, implying that substantial wealth can exist independently of its origins and should be accepted without question. This shift in understanding points to a broader commentary on society's relationship with wealth, highlighting how societal norms can influence perceptions of morality and responsibility in the context of financial success.