Wealth means abundance - not only the fruits of the earth but also human resourcefulness, the vast storehouse of creativity that has fed the diversity of civilisations.
But the record of human habitation of Greenland testifies to more than human resourcefulness.
This year's Three Books program will feature two novels and a nonfiction book chosen by Stanford English Professor Elizabeth Tallent, who says the books share a fascination with human resourcefulness in the face of trauma.
Occasionally, human resourcefulness provides slender respite.
"We're still a little bit bleary-eyed, but human resourcefulness is remarkable.
Nature had struck a harsh blow but human resourcefulness would prevail.
"Development which plunders human resourcefulness, forests, land, water, air and food is shortsighted and self-eliminating... but for many leaders, development means extensive farming of cash crops, expensive dams, luxury tourist hotels, airports, hospitals, heavily armed armies and supermarkets.
It will indeed be a formidable task, but it doesn't appear to exceed the limits of human ingenuity and resourcefulness.
An inspiring story of human resilience and resourcefulness, it also finds the French and UK governments wanting, Theresa May in particular.
On the other, one of the defining images of the 20th century, the photograph of Tenzing Norgay standing on the summit of the world, a symbol of human courage and resourcefulness.
