The most important thing to remember if you desire to generate more money (social capital) is to position yourself within a political climate that embodies your values, and if the group you currently find yourself in does not adequately represent your interests, create your own.
Whether you like it or not, money makes the world go round'. You must compete, but where and how you do it is your choice entirely ...
In your context you're trying to place money as head of everything, yes money make the works go round but you can't be subject to it. And when you spoke about beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, you're trying to say when money is in ones hands that's when it's valued ? Though money is a valuable entity but one don't have to compete inorder to meet up with the money demands.