I think my reaction to this is its inherent frame.
It implies purity, nobility, and superiority are accorded to the higher earners and sloth, misery, and disgrace are the providence of the middle- and lower-class … even if that wasn’t at all your intention.
I posted something elsewhere on SD this morning that may be relevant:
As a former VP of a couple different publicly-traded corporations, I’m here to tell ya’: it’s very hard to be ethical and move upward in many/most of these jobs and organizations.
No all-or-nothing aspersions cast here, but some people utterly don’t want to be in that position. There’s simply nothing material that they want badly enough to screw people over day in and day out.
Just another perspective. YMMV. Trained professional. Closed course.