- By: Maj Aamir Zia (R)
Nature offers lessons that humanity often ignores. Every object propelled upward follows a predictable course. Science describes it as a parabolic trajectory, it rises only as far as the force behind it permits before gravity inevitably draws it back to its point of origin. An inflated balloon behaves no differently. It expands impressively for a while, but once the internal pressure exceeds its limit, it bursts. Such is the fate of unchecked pride.
Human ego follows a similar pattern. Success, authority, wealth, or popularity can inflate one’s sense of self beyond reasonable bounds. Many mistake temporary achievements for permanent entitlement and begin to view admiration as an inherent right rather than a fleeting privilege. Yet vanity carries within it the seeds of its own undoing. Sooner or later, circumstances, fortune, or time itself deflates the most inflated ego.
Politics provides the most visible illustration of this phenomenon. Electoral victories often tempt leaders into believing that public office is a personal inheritance rather than a trust bestowed by the people. Arrogance replaces humility, dissent is dismissed, and democratic values gradually yield to the intoxication of power. History, however, is replete with examples of seemingly invincible rulers who were eventually humbled by the very public that once celebrated them.
This truth extends beyond politics. Titles, offices, and prestigious designations command respect only for as long as one occupies them. The moment the office is relinquished, the aura begins to fade. Public memory is remarkably short, and yesterday’s influential figure quickly becomes today’s forgotten name.
The wise therefore wear success lightly. Humility is not a sign of weakness but an acknowledgment that fortune is transient and power is borrowed. Vainglory may elevate a person for a season, but character alone determines how long one remains worthy of respect after the applause has faded. Yet this failing is not confined to politics. It is equally visible in corporate boardrooms, academic institutions, the bureaucracy, and even within ordinary households, where authority often breeds an exaggerated sense of self-importance.
- The author can be reached anuhkaf@gmail.com