In plain words
But the West Germans did not have so many desires. They were eager to build up their name and standing. In this way the West Germans were very noble. Gradually their quality too declined.
What use is it if money has value and man has none?
Earlier the Japanese depended on America. They learnt all their work in America itself. They learnt it, but they became more skilled at work than the Americans. The reason is that the Americans have great power of intellect but no dedication to work. These Japanese grew in dedication to work. So they surpassed the very America where they had learnt the work and gone home. What is the reason? Here, a certain dedication. Not dedication alone: they also nourished human values. The Americans have a great fondness for money. They give money great value. But the Japanese give human values great value. Besides, they strive hard for name and standing. The Americans have no need of name and standing. For them money alone is the root. ‘Somehow or other we must earn money’: that alone is their anxious striving. As a result they are earning money, but they give no thought to values. They give value to money, but they do not recognise the value of money. In contrast, the Japanese give value to people and do not look much to money. This is the difference between them. Money is needed in this world, but one must give value to money while giving value to people. The Americans all give value to a man by looking at the value of money. ‘This man is very rich, they say. But whether he has human values or not,’ they do not look to see. They just give value to money. Not only this: the government too gives encouragement in many ways to the business of such a person. Contracts and the profits that come through the government reach such a man more than anyone. They take on just such people as agents. This is a very great mistake. You must look at the business, and you must look at the man's value too.