Hypocrisy Vs Reality: What Society Teaches Vs what Reality Rewards
Dear ladies and gentlemen!
Today, I present a controversial topic in front of you.
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Let’s be honest. From childhood, we all are taught one thing, i.e., be honest & kind, and good things, aka positive karma, will return. Our schools, stories, movies, cartoons, etc. repeat the same message so often that it feels like a universal truth. Yet, as people grow older, they start noticing something unimaginable and uncomfortable, i.e., “the positive karma always shown in TV shows doesn’t always work in real life.” In many situations, outcomes seem to matter more than intentions, and this creates a deep conflict between what society teaches and what reality appears to reward.
To give you a clear example of this situation that can be seen in everyday life, think of people speaking about protecting the environment and schools/educational institutions teaching us to save trees, yet the same people continue to cut trees for profit, convenience, or personal benefit. Children are always taught to stand up for what is right, but when they question such actions, they are often ignored and their point isn’t taken seriously. Similarly, honesty is praised as a virtue, but sometimes situations arise where dishonesty brings quick benefits while honesty goes unnoticed. This gap between ideals & actions gives rise to a confusing message: values are important to talk about but not always necessary to follow.
The conflict also appears in small, ordinary, and daily moments where choices appear harmless but still matter. For example, imagine a situation where your mom told you to wash a fruit properly, but you washed it lightly. Now imagine your mom just asks you to confirm if you washed it properly or not. There, you face a decision: admit it & risk punishment, or say you did it properly and avoid consequences even though nothing serious is affected. While outcomes may look minor, such moments reflect a deep issue: whether truth is maintained even when lying appears easier and carries no impact.
The conflict becomes even more controversial in difficult situations. Imagine a poor man who urgently needs money to save his daughter’s life and finds a lost wallet. If he tries to search for its owner, he follows morality but loses his daughter due to not submitting bills on time, even if the owner of the purse gives him money for his honesty to save his daughter. On the other hand, if he keeps it, he saves her but violates ethical principles. In such extreme cases, the line between right and wrong becomes blurred. Saving a life may seem more important than following morality, yet the decision still carries weight and responsibility. It shows that reality can sometimes force people into choices where no option feels completely right.
Take a look at another example. Imagine in an exam hall, a guy who is good academically copies all the answers of a topper, but he isn’t comparable with the topper. Now, he gets more grades than the topper. It is still a win-win situation for him because he is educated, good at the topic, and got a higher position too. So, a question arises: “Should we follow morality/honesty even if not following it never brings us any consequences?”
At the same time, there’s a famous saying that “winners never miss opportunities,” often said by many people, psychologists, and even shown in podcasts, TV shows, and stories of successful people, but it is often misunderstood. Truly successful people do not grab every opportunity blindly. They choose carefully and make smart moves. They understand that some opportunities bring short term gain but longterm damage as well, especially when they involve dishonesty or harm to others. A clear example of this is in one of MrBeast’s YouTube videos where he gives a man a chance to take any amount he wishes, and he can leave any amount for another strange contestant. Similarly, if someone takes bribes and, let’s say, has the power to never get caught, he may enjoy all luxuries but becomes a briber and loses reputation. Even in my previous series of 48 Laws of Power, 33 Strategies of War, and The Laws of Human Nature by renowned author Mr. Greene, you might have noticed that he always suggests focusing on the long term and looking toward the future. Short term benefits may look attractive, but they might carry negative consequences in the near future. Reputation, trust, and integrity may not give instant rewards, but they build a stable foundation for lasting success. Without these, even success achieved quickly can fall apart.
In conclusion, there is a clear gap between what society teaches and what reality often rewards. However, this doesn’t mean that values are meaningless or should be abandoned. Instead, it highlights the complexity of real life, where decisions are not always as simple as they appear. The true challenge is not choosing between values and success but learning how to balance them wisely, i.e., holding onto integrity while making thoughtful choices in a world that doesn’t always reward it immediately.
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This is my longest and last educational blog. I don’t expect most of you to read all the words, but take some time to present your views on this topic.
