For decades, a strange belief has spread through society — that one cannot survive by being honest. People seem to think that walking the straight path means losing in the battle of life.
As a result, “cunning” has now become a sort of life philosophy. The modern formula for success seems to be: take whatever you can, wherever you can. Yet this very “culture of cunning” is silently eroding our national character.
The difference between cunning and wisdom is subtle, but their outcomes are opposite. Cunning offers short-term gain; wisdom ensures long-term progress.
Some cunning employees try to eat away at the very roots of an organization, whereas wise ones seek ways to sustain it. Cunning politicians aim to deceive people; wise leaders work to secure the nation’s future. This is where true intelligence is tested.
The developed world has advanced precisely by following the path of wisdom. In their societies, work is not merely employment — it is a responsibility.
They see their institutions as extensions of their own selves. Where time, effort, and honesty are equally valued, discipline naturally becomes a habit. To us, people of the developed world may sometimes appear “naïve,” because they don’t look for shortcuts or deceit in their work.
Their sense of responsibility toward their workplace, institution, and country is so deep that they often sacrifice personal gain to uphold integrity. Once given a task, they consider it part of their life. Thus, every institution and structure there stands the test of time.
That is why European and American institutions, some over a hundred years old, remain strong — built upon dedication, ethics, and mutual trust. A car that follows the rules reaches far; if it keeps changing direction, it never arrives. The success of the developed world rests upon this same “wheel” of discipline.
In contrast, in the Third World — especially in our society — institutions are often seen as “fields of opportunity.” To many employees, an organization is a goose that lays golden eggs.
But eager for more eggs, many in the Third World fancy themselves clever and don’t hesitate to slit the goose’s belly. What if the goose dies? It’s not theirs anyway. This mindset prevails everywhere.
Such an attitude not only causes economic loss but also erodes a nation’s self-respect. Once a society loses its moral compass, the decay spreads.
When a small employee steals, a senior official soon finds justification for embezzlement. When petty theft becomes normal, large-scale corruption no longer feels like a crime. Society eventually reaches a stage where honesty is seen as foolishness, and wrongdoing becomes the mark of intelligence.
In truth, a nation’s progress lies not in wealth or technology, but in its psychology. The people who see responsibility as a matter of pride are the ones who reach the summit of civilization.
How did the developed world become wise? Not through wealth or education alone, but through mentality. They know that destroying the foundation for short-term profit is suicidal. Yet we still hesitate to stop cutting open the very goose that lays our golden eggs.
It is often said, “A cunning person carves a path for himself; a wise person builds a road for others.” The developed societies have followed the latter path, while the Third World continues to wander along the former. Cunning may bring temporary benefit, but only responsibility and commitment bring lasting strength and honor.