Millionaire John Jacob Astor IV was on board when the Titanic sunk. He could have built thirty Titanics with the money in his bank account. But in the face of imminent death, he made the ethically right decision to give up his lifeboat spot in order to save two terrified children.
Rich Isidor Straus, who was also aboard the Titanic and co-owner of Macy's, the biggest department store company in the United States, claimed he would never board a lifeboat before the other men.
Ida Straus, his wife, also declined to board the lifeboat, giving her place to Ellen Bird, her new maid. She made the decision to spend her final hours with her spouse.
These affluent people would sooner forfeit their fortunes and even their lives than violate their moral convictions. Their decision to stand up for moral principles demonstrated the wisdom of human nature and civilization.