Abd Al-Rahman III was a ruler in 10th-century Spain who lived in complete luxury. Here's how he assessed his life: "I have now reigned above 50 years in victory or peace; beloved by my subjects, dreaded by my enemies, and respected by my allies. Riches and honors, power and pleasure, have waited on my call, nor does any earthly blessing appear to have been wanting to my felicity."

Fame, riches and pleasure beyond imagination. Doesn't that sound great? He went on to write: "I have diligently numbered the days of pure and genuine happiness which have fallen to my lot: They amount to 14."

In an article in The New York Times, here's how the columnist Arthur C. Brooks assessed the life of Abd al-Rahman III:

[He] had a formula as he sleepwalked through life: Love things, use people. It is the worldly snake oil peddled by the culture makers from Hollywood to Madison Avenue. But you know in your heart that it is morally disordered and a likely road to misery. You want to be free of the sticky cravings of unhappiness and find a formula for happiness instead. How? Simply invert the deadly formula and render it virtuous: Love people, use things.