While I entirely agree with your premise. I don't think that is the best example.
Given those hypothetical people, I would bet that the one who went back to his homewtown actually enjoys his life, while the other is miserable, but surrounded in gold.
If the latter takes his ball and goes home, now that's a different story.
I'm assuming "success" as discussed in the article is the standard metric and measured in currency.
Personally I've seen it all (to use characters from my story):
- The small town family lawyer who is miserable and feels screwed that they somehow couldn't or didn't want to swim with the sharks.
- The partner at the firm on his third divorce, with kids who won't talk to him, and living in constant worry of the various legally or morally dubious things they've done. Ulcers, high blood pressure, and substance abuse disorder included.
- The opposite of the other who's stayed in touch with "that guy from law school" who is perfectly happy and content only to look at the other and feel pity for how miserable the other's life must be (and often is).
I know all of them and it's pretty strange... Especially when someone will say "Yeah, XYZ is a great guy and good friend but you know... Don't ever trust him." -or- conversely "Yeah what happened to ABC was strange... Guy kind of flaked out. He seems to be doing ok, I guess."
We seem to be much better at measuring and discussing "success" than actual happiness.
People can enjoy being rich. I think it's quite obvious when you look at real cases and not just hypothetical.
Bill Gates - He admits now that he was bully and behaved badly. He was completely ruthless. Not because he was a sociopath, but because every time they had to decide between winning and morality he chose winning. Paul Allen was one of his oldest and closest friends and when he was sick with cancer in early 80s he overheard Ballmer and Gates talking about his lack of contribution and scheming to dilute his equity.
Steve Jobs - Jobs conned Steve Wozniak at the beginning and it did not stop there. According to his bio it seems that being asshole was big part of his success.
Mark Zuckerberg - His habit of doing the immoral and apologizing if getting caught started even before FB. Facemash was "completely improper" according to Zuckerbergs apology. Starting phase of FB was based on all kinds of foul play.
I don't think if you knew any of those deeply, I mean properly what is inside left and right, you would call them long term happy balanced persons. Being fulfilled / content with being one of / the wealthiest man on earth at one point ain't the same as proper happiness.
Given those hypothetical people, I would bet that the one who went back to his homewtown actually enjoys his life, while the other is miserable, but surrounded in gold.
If the latter takes his ball and goes home, now that's a different story.