Success Demands Perseverance, Not Blame-Shifting
By: Mohammad Taukir Rahmani
EC Exclusive
Across the horizon of human history, if there is one figure who shines as a beacon of steadfastness, wisdom, and moral courage, it is the ascetic philosopher of ancient Greece—Socrates. He championed truth and intellectual freedom at a time when the wise bowed before power and sold their conscience for comfort. The charges against Socrates were that he corrupted the minds of the youth, disrespected the gods (idols), and disrupted the state order. In reality, however, his only “crime” was unveiling the masks of false values and hollow victories. He was a weary traveler on the path of knowledge, for whom embracing the gallows in pursuit of truth was the ultimate pride.
When the court of Athens hurled baseless accusations at him, Socrates stood unshaken. Neither did his face betray anxiety nor did his voice tremble. With dignified composure, he said, “I would rather die having spoken after my manner, than speak in your manner and live. For neither in war nor yet at law ought anyone to use every way of escaping death. In battle, for example, it is often quite evident that by throwing away your arms and falling on your knees before your pursuers you may escape death; and in every kind of danger, there are many ways of escaping death, if a man is willing to say and do anything. The difficulty, my friends, is not in avoiding death, but in avoiding unrighteousness; for that runs faster than death.” — (Plato, Apology of Socrates, Section 38)
He was sentenced to death—by the cup of poison. Yet Socrates, to the very end, blamed no one, complained about nothing, and never deviated from his chosen path. He drank the hemlock not as a victim, but as a seeker who quenches his thirst from the spring of knowledge. His final words echoed: “The real difficulty is not to escape death, but to escape wrongdoing.”
True success lies in unwavering commitment to principles. To retreat from truth out of fear of blame is defeat in its purest form. Only the one who endures hardships, remains truthful, and stays loyal to their goal emerges truly victorious—even if the world mistakes their patience for failure. Blame weakens a person, while perseverance, loyalty to purpose, and silent endurance make one a conqueror within.
Success—a word so enchanting that it echoes in every heartbeat, animates every gaze, and becomes the destination of every dream. Regardless of geography, class, or culture, the human spirit is driven by this one pursuit. Its meaning may vary: some seek it in worldly prominence, some in academic glory, and others in spiritual serenity. Yet one common thread binds all pursuits: success is not a state; it is a journey—a continuous struggle grounded in sincerity, effort, and patience.
In today’s world, education has become the measure of success. Knowledge is seen as the ultimate path to prosperity—and rightly so. Parents stake everything, even mortgaging their homes, in the hope that their children will succeed. But when the educated themselves speak the language of despair and begin blaming systems, society, or fate, it begs the question: Is knowledge alone a guarantee of success? Or is there an inner principle, a spiritual strength that defines real achievement?
Research and reflection tell us that true success is the attainment of a well-defined goal. A goal is the light that sparks brilliance in one’s eyes. When that light, material or spiritual, is finally grasped, it produces a state of ecstasy. That moment is success. But the road to that moment is seldom smooth. It is strewn with thorns, shrouded in darkness, marked by exhaustion and loneliness. It is at such crossroads that a person must choose: confront difficulties head-on or fall into the trap of blaming others.
Blame is a symptom of intellectual laziness. Though it may appear a natural reaction, in truth, it is a clever mask for one’s own inner defeat. When society adopts blame as its norm, individual character begins to crumble, and people concede defeat before they even begin to showcase their potential.
So what is the true path to success? It winds through self-confidence, resilience, and consistent effort. The one who embraces available resources and uses them wisely, who tolerates delays and bitter failures without giving up, who awakens dormant talents and remains spiritually and intellectually grounded—that person becomes worthy of true success. Such a person may need a sincere guide, a compassionate mentor, or a supportive friend—someone who lights the candle of hope in moments of darkness, revives tired steps, and reminds them that success is never born of complaints or blame, but from silent perseverance, strong will, and unshakable trust in God.
If an individual rises above the culture of blame and recognizes their own inner greatness—if they begin to see failure not as a wall but as a stepping stone—then nothing can stop their progress. They learn to treat every challenge as a lesson, every stumble as a warning, and every obstacle as an opportunity. Thus, the path to success emerges not from lament and accusation, but from action and sincerity, from patience and perseverance. Blame may bring temporary relief, but it hollows the soul. The truly successful are those who live every moment aligned with their goal, and who embrace every sacrifice with grace and resolve.
