"不正を犯す者はそれを受ける者よりも常により不幸になる。"

The core idea here is that the person doing wrong ends up suffering more than the victim of the wrongdoing. On the surface, it might seem like the person committing the act gets away with it, but deep down, they’re the ones carrying the heavier burden.

This notion has popped up throughout history, embedded in the thoughts and writings of philosophers like Socrates and echoed in moral teachings across various cultures. Why? Because it taps into a universal truth about human nature. When someone does something unjust, it’s like they’re planting a seed of misery in themselves. Over time, that seed grows and festers, leading to regret, guilt, and a lingering sense of unhappiness. You might not see the effects immediately, but they’re there, lurking under the surface.

Let’s think about a real-life example. Imagine a corporate executive who embezzles money from the company. Initially, the executive might feel a rush, a sense of victory. They’ve got more money now, can buy whatever they want, take luxurious vacations. But over time, living with the knowledge of their crime eats away at them. They start to feel paranoid, worried about being caught. They can’t trust people because they project their dishonesty onto others. Their relationships suffer. Their sense of self-worth diminishes. Meanwhile, the company might take a financial hit, but it’s a collective loss, shared among many. The company rebuilds, moves on. But the executive? They’re stuck with their guilt and fear.

How can we apply this wisdom in our own lives? It’s simple but challenging: strive to do the right thing, even when it’s hard. When you’re faced with a choice where you could benefit at someone else’s expense, pause and think. Imagine the weight of the guilt you’d carry. Remember that any short-term gain isn’t worth the long-term misery you’d inflict upon yourself. It’s about playing the long game with your own happiness and peace of mind.

Consider a relatable scenario. Let’s say you’re a student, and you have the opportunity to cheat on a test. You might think, “No big deal, everybody does it.” But think about the aftermath. Every time you look at that score, you’ll know it’s not really yours. Deep down, you’ll feel like a fraud. You’ll worry about getting caught or, worse, you’ll start to believe you can’t succeed without cheating. Meanwhile, if you don’t cheat and instead study hard, you might not get a perfect score, but you’ll have the pride of knowing you earned your grade honestly. And that kind of integrity builds a solid foundation for your self-esteem and future success.

So next time you’re tempted to take a shortcut that might hurt someone else, remember: the real damage is to yourself. Doing the right thing is often harder in the moment, but it’s easier to live with in the long run. And isn’t that what we all want? To look back on our lives and feel good about the choices we’ve made.