Congrats on your good taste.
I personally feel that the message of this movie is a very unusual one for Hollywood; contentment and appreciation.
When Dobbs begs for the 3rd time from the same guy (John Huston) it's not only a great story moment it's also a great character reveal, "I'm sorry mister, I never looked at your face, just your hand and the money." He has no appreciation for either the act of generosity or for the gift itself, all he sees is more; and with that simple introduction a story-arch is born.
Howard though demonstrates both kinds of appreciation;
1) knowing the value of things( Examples: "An ounce of gold, mister, is worth what it is because of the human labor that went into the finding and the getting of it." & "Sometimes water's more precious than gold" )
2) showing gratitude for what he's received (thanking the mountain)
Howard also has learned to be content; win or lose, rise or fall, he can enjoy the ride... if he's walking away with his health. His great ambition is for a maintainable lifestyle, and when we last see him he's going off to enjoy "three meals a day, five if I want 'em", simple shelter, and a small society of neighbors where he can be appreciated for his experience.
Curtin goes away immensely richer than he started, having learned "the worst ain't so bad when it finally happens. Not half as bad as you figure it will be before it's happened. I'm no worse off than I was in Tampico. All I'm out is a couple hundred bucks when you come right down to it. Not very much compared to what Dobbsie lost."
That's my perspective, and I think that's a fairly legitimate theme to read into it.
Based on the films he directed John Huston seems to have liked the struggle of dignity and honor in the face of great potential. That's certainly a part of the reason that some of them hold up so well.