I guess it all comes down to one's priorities. If you put your ego and pride above all else then I don't think any amount of money will ever be enough to quench

I guess it all comes down to one's priorities. If you put your ego and pride above all else then I don't think any amount of money will ever be enough to quench your self-obsession. On the other hand, if you have the chance to become comfortably rich and essentially free then why not? Of course there is a third (fourth, fifth and so on) variation. Perhaps it has nothing to do with pride or money, perhaps you enjoy the work that you do so much that being rich is not something you can enjoy with the same amount of passion. I'd probably take the money though.