The Applause and the Scorn of Victory

At this very moment, I still find it incredible that some people live waiting for others’ downfall, or at least their missteps.

If you are unknown, you don’t have much to fear. Envy, malice, or petty “witchcraft” may exist, but only in small, harmless doses.
But the moment you are known, powerful, rich, or influential, there are those waiting eagerly for the day you stumble, so they can clap at your disgrace.

This struck me today when I saw the unveiling of a magnificent hospitality edifice by someone prominent online. Since scripture urges us to rejoice with those who rejoice, I had no quarrel with it. As someone who knows something about civil engineering, I could only admire the work: on a mountainous terrain, the thought and skill required to build on steep slopes, the costly excavation and rock-cutting for foundations, the slope reinforcements to guard against erosion and landslides. That kind of achievement deserves respect.

Yet when I glanced at the comment section of a certain post, I saw scorn. People jeering, confidently predicting that the owner would soon unravel, perhaps for political reasons. They had no inside knowledge, no facts; only bitterness dressed up as certainty.

And instantly, my mind recalled other sneering remarks I’ve seen elsewhere:

“She’s too loud. She thinks she’s the only one who knows marketing.”

“Why is he always showing us his travels? He thinks he’s wise because he gets likes.”

“Don’t mind him. He’s only positive about the economy because he’s rich.”

“Is he the first man to marry? Why is he flaunting his partner?”

“He’s gone into movies. What does he know? Because people like the stories he posts?”

It is the reality of life. Success draws friends. As the Latin puts it, Victoria amicos parat — victory finds friends. Yet it also breeds envy and jealousy in equal measure.

You can toil quietly for years, but the moment you succeed, you will attract admirers and, without even knowing it, plant grudges in others’ hearts. Many are shocked when setbacks expose this truth. As my ancestors say, when a great misfortune trips a man, smaller ones rush in to climb on his back.

Unfortunate indeed is the man who believes the whole world is happy simply because he is happy. Life rarely works that way. Wisdom is leaving room in your heart for the disappointment of men.