Is being a good person a handicap in success?

Question

Do you think being moral and good diminishes your ability to be successful?

Answer 1

I think, as many other people have answered, it depends on how you define "success". money, happiness, fullfillment, or simply achieving whatever your goals may be?

I think to be a morally good person you will ultimatly always be "successful" because you will always look back and know that you always tried to do the right thing.

However, in reality and in many industries, being successful recquires a certain ruthlessness, which might not always take into account peoples feelings, or their needs.

Having said that, it is still possible to have that ruthlessness, and still be a good person. It just depends on your sense of determination and how far you are prepared to compromise your morality. It is important to stick to your sense of what is right in a given situation - dont allow yourself to become inflexible or bound by your own morals driven path.

Answer 2

Depends on how you measure success. If you're talking about financial and social success then sometimes it can.
But to me success is measured by your moral accomplishments in this short and temporary life we're living.
Spread love, peace and you will be successful and truly satisfied if you believe in truth..
It's going to be hard but it's worlth it. No one is perfect anyway, nothing is.
"If today was perfect there would be no need for tomorrow."
You have to spread positive energy everywhere you go, this is the goal.
But first, you have to start from within.

Answer 3

I'd say a helluva lot depends on how we define success.

Some would argue, and quite rightly, that real success is when you take your losses in order to stay on the better side of nice. And conversely, that gain through cutting throats isn't success, it's failure.

I reckon real wealth is when you do okay and nobody can say with any truth you did them wrong along the way.

Answer 4

I am proud to be able to say that throughout my life (65 years) I have tried hard to be honest in all my dealings, to be faithful to those I love, to do good whenever I could and to make preparations for my retirement. As I say I tried and on the whole I can say that I think I have succeeded. I am lucky to say that I am now financially secure, totally happy with my life and live it to the full. Yes indeed, the result of my success is without doubt all down to (trying to be) moral and good. Take care, God Bless...

Answer 5

If you are talking about career success on a very high end level, then absolutely, yes.
If you are talking about success in life--being happy, living well--then of course not.

Answer 6

You need to define what you mean by successful. Everybody has a different definition. Without that I can't answer the question.

Answer 7

Never. Sometimes it seems like nice guys finish last - but in the long run, they come in first [pardon the pun] and it really depends on how you define success.
As in Donald Trump? He seems to be a pretty nice guy, if you're speaking in monetary terms. Bill Gates. Jimmy Sinclair [he's a Canadian billionaire] and lots more.

Answer 8

No, because a good person wouldn't measure their success the same way as others would.

Answer 9

Let's put this in the words of Switchfoot. (they're also based on the Bible.)

From the song "Company Car":

"Have I won monopoly to forfeit my soul?"

From the song "Gone":

"Where's your treasure, where's your hope if you get the world but lose your soul?"


If you have all the money in the world, it's not going to help you in eternity. You can't buy a ticket to heaven. Then how do you get one?

Jesus is offering you one right now. Take Him into your life, and into your heart.

Answer 10

I think being moral and good enhances success.