It is commonly observed, that a sudden wealth, like a prize drawn in a lottery, or a large bequest to a poor family, does not permanently enrich. They have served no apprenticeship to wealth, and, with the rapid wealth, come rapid claims: which they do not know how to deny, and the treasure is quickly dissipated.
Emerson argues that acquiring a large amount of money suddenly does not necessarily produce lasting wealth. People who have not gradually learned how to manage resources may be unprepared for the decisions, requests and pressures that accompany a windfall. His phrase “apprenticeship to wealth” presents financial judgement as a skill developed through experience rather than something that arrives automatically with money.
Within Wealth, the passage reflects Emerson’s broader emphasis on discipline, practical knowledge and the management of resources. Sudden prosperity can bring new expectations and spending demands, and without established habits or boundaries the money may quickly disappear. The claim is a general observation rather than a rule that applies to every inheritance or lottery win. Its central point is that possessing wealth and knowing how to preserve it are different abilities, and that durable financial security often depends on judgement developed over time.