Originally Posted by GreyWolf

It's a learned process usually stemming from ignorance. It also comes from societies who measure success in terms of wealth (GFY is a classic microcosm of this).

In your example, the "broke" person (or who appears to be "broke") can have 100 fold more to offer as a individual and already achieved more in their life than the "rich" person ever will achieve. It's surprising how many people are modest and not necessarily wealthy - but have done more and gained high cred internationally beyond a level most of us would ever reach.