One may earn the respect of those around them by many different ways. One may prove to be a good leader or a just ruler or possess some incredible talent or be highly intelligent – are just some ways by which one earns the respect of others. However, these require that the individual have steadfastness, faith, courage, and a good-heart. The individual is also required to work hard and work honestly, which is a difficult ask.

That is why most people in power have come on top using the other way of earning respect. This method involves the use of force, coercion, intimidation, blackmail, begging, bribing, stealing, cheating, and an ‘n’ no. of other ways. I need not give examples of these people. You probably know one. You probably are one. Politicians, Bureaucrats and the people engaged in criminal activities like extortion and smuggling top the list, but there are many more examples.

Why do such people exist?

One reason could be that the rules are not strict enough. However, isn’t it contradictory? Let me tell you why. Consider the case of a criminal. He probably did not want to live a life of crime at the age of, say, six. He probably wanted to become one of the three pillar professions according to Indian narrow-mindedness; i.e. a lawyer, or a doctor or an engineer. What led him to a life of crime?  Bad company? Yeah, maybe. I, however, think that he failed to meet the standards set by the system. If he wanted to become a doctor, he had to work hard get good grades etc. How many people have failed to achieve this? Millions. He did not want to become like them. On the other hand, maybe he did try, but later failed. So he quit.

Quitters always look for the easy way. That is why he led a life of crime. That is why suicide is considered a crime – it is the easy way. The fact that nearly everyone has done something wrong knowingly or has used the ‘jugaad’ technique is an indication of how rough the system is. The so-called creamy layer is selected. How many of you have cheated in a test? 99%. This is because you know if you are not in the top 5%, no one will bother to consider you.

Cheating on a test, however, is a milder crime as compared to, say, shirking important work since you are in a superior position. This is because the stakes are high.

Also, notice that you must be bossy to someone. It could be your wife, or your servant, or your student, or your daughter or anybody. It is mandatory to rule over someone. This satisfies our ego - the main cause of the superiority complex.

I am going to continue with this series of attitudes that need to change. I would appreciate if you gave your opinion.