Meaning
This proverb suggests that in competitive environments, kind, considerate, or honest people may be overlooked or taken advantage of by those who are more aggressive or ruthless. While niceness is a virtue, it may sometimes lead to slower progress or being outperformed if not paired with strategy, assertiveness, and resilience.
Understanding the Idea
Kindness alone may not guarantee success; balancing it with assertiveness and strategy ensures one is not left behind.
A Beautiful and Relatable Moral Story
Arun was a helpful and considerate colleague, always supporting others at work. Meanwhile, some colleagues aggressively pursued promotions and credit. Despite his talent, Arun was overlooked initially. Realizing that niceness must be combined with initiative and assertiveness, he started showcasing his achievements while remaining kind. Eventually, his balanced approach earned him recognition, proving that being nice doesn’t mean being passive.
Moral: Kindness is valuable, but combine it with assertiveness and strategy to achieve success.