The Wise Seek No Success by Wrong Means
Neither for oneself nor for another would the wise seek son, wealth, or power by wrong means. Not desiring one's own success unjustly — such a one is virtuous and wise.
For a good end, am I quietly compromising that wrong means are acceptable?
📝Reflection
The heart of this verse is "the legitimacy of means." We often talk ourselves into believing that if the end is good, the method may bend a little — it's for family, it'll be used for good. One such compromise opens the door. But this verse is firm: do not seek even your own success by wrong means. What is striking is the phrase "neither for oneself nor for another." Even the cause of helping others cannot justify wrong means. Why? Because what is gained by a wrong method carries that method's stain along with it. A small thing gained cleanly gives the heart more peace than a great thing gained foully. The process makes the person as much as the result. How you gained it decides, in the end, what kind of person you became.
🌱Apply It Today
When the thought "a little shortcut is fine" arises today, recall "a small thing clean beats a great thing foul," and take the honest path.
This verse is read as universal humanistic wisdom, not religion — no faith is promoted, and the reflection is 100% original ONGO content.
