That's what I asked myself when dealing with corrupt people the other day. It's an honest question, not meant to elevate myself and my morality above others, but trying to understand them, to gain perspective. It's easy to judge, but hard to comprehend.
The law is clear.
As the body of a culture's values and principles, the law guides here. Yes, of course those people are evil. They're going against their oath as servants of the state and populace. They're extorting people for personal gain, abusing their power in the process.
It's not a trade.
They're not getting paid for having a particular skill or knowledge, but because of their position within the government. It is definitely against the law, and against the will of the majority of people, and there is no way to defend it on a deeper level.
But everybody does it.
That would be the defense you'd hear all the time. If somebody else would be sitting there, they'd take bribes, too. It is in a way part of the culture, and that's why the law is useless in this case - it does not represent the principles and values of the populace.
Family first.
Something that I've seen a lot here. The structure is not oriented towards a big populace, but fractioned into communities. And in that logic, yes, of course it is good to take care of their family, make money for themselves, even at the expense of others. Friends get a discount, of course, to take care of them, too.
A really good person.
And it sets an example, as stated before. Why be the only honest person in the government? It doesn't make any sense. Best outcome, you get fired soon because you reject the "favor" a higher up is asking. Worst case, you get killed for doing your job right and asking the right questions - yes, that's a thing here.
Spiraling.
Everyone laments it, yet everyone participates in it. Everyone wishes the world to be better, but nobody actually works on themselves to be better. I can see all those corrupt people complaining about the corruption of others.
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
Matthew 7:3–5, King James Version
I love this bible quote. Sums up what most human beings are like. For thousands of years now, apparently. Some things never change...
And now, what?
They don't change. Even Jesus failed on changing that. Even trying could be seen as blasphemy, though I'm pretty sure that Jesus would cheer everyone who tries to follow his path. So, the only thing that one can do is break out of the spiral, and start their own spiral, with blackjack and... No, not that one. The opposite one.
Be better.
Not indulge into the easiness of a corrupt life. Strive for virtue, as real happiness lies only in there. And those who adhere to the same principles will stumble upon you, and you on them, and encourage each other.
What are your thoughts about this topic? Please feel free to engage in any original way, including dropping links to your posts on similar topics. I'm happy to read (and curate) any quality content that is not created by LLM/AI, as well as read your own experience and point of view, I love to learn!
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