The passage emphasizes that the desire for wealth and social standing is not the only motivation for acquiring and accumulating possessions. The desire for increased comfort and security from scarcity is a constant factor in the process of accumulation, particularly in a modern industrial society. However, it notes that even this standard of sufficiency is influenced by the habit of striving for pecuniary prestige. This emulation significantly impacts the choices and priorities in spending, affecting both personal comfort and the pursuit of a respectable standard of living.