Do You Sacrifice Integrity For Short Term Financial Gains?
By Myles Johnstone
It has been often been said that an honest person has no opportunity to become rich in the Western world. This is an untruth fabricated by uninspired, dishonest people. In fact, studies indicate that one of the most important factors for the success of self-made millionaires is their unwavering honesty in their business affairs. Moreover, many disadvantaged people acquire an impressive amount of wealth by working in respectable careers and displaying integrity in all their financial affairs. Personal integrity is essential to achieving prosperity and financial freedom. Prosperity-conscious people seldom compromise their integrity for money. When they do, it's at a weak moment when they aren't paying attention. They immediately get themselves back on the right track.
Lazy Achievers don't sacrifice peace of mind and reputation to earn money in dubious ways. They don't have to resort to dishonesty. Having confidence in their own abilities, they capitalize on some of the many opportunities available for making an honest and decent living. When questioned, every one of us would declare that we are honest; yet, each of us has at least a little bit of the crook in us. Everyone is dishonest at one time or another, simply because no one is perfect. Where we draw the line to put ourselves back on the right track determines how much integrity we have.
The best policy is to be as committed to honesty and integrity as we can possibly be, regardless of any opportunities we have to make easy money. Rationally, we may ask ourselves: What harm is there in taking a few moral liberties now and then so we can stiff some sucker for a few bucks? The answer? A great deal of harm may be done in due time.
First, the law of karma should keep us from dishonesty: what we do to others will eventually come back to us in some form or another. With this in mind, we should be committed to total honesty, even when it means our short term financial position could suffer. The need to be true to ourselves is also at issue. Values are only worth something when we act rigidly upon them and follow them at all times. This requires that we be as scrupulously honest with all people as we can be. The payoff is peace of mind and the satisfaction that we haven't resorted to cheating or swindling to make money. Henry Miller observed, "What distinguishes the majority of men from the few is their inability to act according to their beliefs." If your values comprise honesty, integrity, ethics, and decency, it's best to live your life in this manner, regardless of how many of your friends and acquaintances show disrespect for these values.
From the occupational perspective, the best policy is never to get involved in a job, business activity, or other financial endeavor that depends upon a product of dubious value. This applies even if you think that you may be able to make a lot of money at the business. Giving someone the rough end of a business deal may seem like an easy way to pocket some quick cash. Selling just a bit of your soul for $10,000 today, however, will cost you much more later on.
About the Author
Myles Johnstone writes exclusively for finance related sites such as Refinancing Finance Info.com, Vehicle Finance Info.com and finance Solutions info.com
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