I try to do the right thing. If you do what you know is right
I try to do the right thing. If you do what you know is right, and you're a good person, you might not win short-term all the time, and financial gains might not be there all the time, but ultimately, you can be pretty happy, and you can do some pretty good things in the world. Keep a positive outlook.
Hear now the words of the wise, spoken through the voice of Gunnar Peterson: “I try to do the right thing. If you do what you know is right, and you're a good person, you might not win short-term all the time, and financial gains might not be there all the time, but ultimately, you can be pretty happy, and you can do some pretty good things in the world. Keep a positive outlook.” These are no idle sayings, but truths forged in the furnace of experience, offered as a beacon for those who wander through the storms of life.
The essence of this teaching lies in the call to follow the right thing, even when it does not bring immediate reward. In the world of mortals, many are tempted by the glitter of short-term victories and the fleeting joy of financial gain, yet these are but shadows that vanish with the setting sun. What endures is the calm of a heart unburdened by guilt, the strength of a spirit that has walked in the path of righteousness, and the peace of knowing one has sown seeds that will bear fruit long after the present day.
Consider the life of Socrates, who in ancient Athens refused to abandon his pursuit of truth, even when threatened with death. The city offered him an escape: to remain silent, to deny what he knew to be right. Yet he chose otherwise, embracing the hemlock with serenity. In the eyes of men, he lost—his wealth, his body, his place in society. But in the eyes of eternity, he triumphed, for his name and teachings have guided souls for millennia. Thus we see the truth: that the path of integrity may wound the body but elevates the soul.
The quote also teaches us the power of a positive outlook, even in the face of trial. Life is no smooth road; it is rocky, twisted, and steep. Yet to walk it with bitterness is to double one’s burden. To walk it with hope and with joy is to discover strength unknown. Recall Abraham Lincoln, who endured countless failures—losses in business, heartbreak in love, defeats in politics—yet refused despair. Through patience, perseverance, and a heart set on the greater good, he rose to lead a divided nation and plant the seeds of freedom. His life stands as proof that cheer and steadfastness can transform defeat into destiny.
The teaching is not merely for heroes of old but for each of us, here and now. Every day, we are faced with choices—between ease and integrity, between profit and principle, between selfishness and service. To choose rightly may seem to cost us in the moment. But each act of goodness builds a treasure more lasting than gold: the love of others, the honor of a clean conscience, and the legacy of lives touched by kindness.
Therefore, let us draw the lesson plain: do what is right, even when no eyes are watching; be a good person, even when others are not; and hold to joy, even when trials darken the way. For though the journey may be hard, it is this path alone that leads to true happiness and the power to “do some pretty good things in the world.”
And what, then, are the actions we should take? Begin with small deeds. Speak truth when it is easier to remain silent. Offer kindness where others offer scorn. Choose service over selfishness, and generosity over greed. In times of setback, remind yourself that the measure of life is not counted in coins but in the goodness left behind. And above all, keep your positive outlook, for the mind that turns toward light shall never dwell long in darkness.
So let these words be written in the chambers of your heart: happiness is not the prize of fleeting gain, but the companion of a life lived in truth. Walk this path, and you shall not only find joy for yourself, but also leave behind a trail of light for those who come after.
LGDo Thi Phuong Lan GV
Peterson’s quote challenges the conventional view that success is always tied to financial gain. But how do we maintain a positive outlook when doing the right thing seems to go unnoticed or unrewarded? Can we truly be happy if our actions don’t bring immediate results, or does lasting happiness come from knowing we’ve contributed to something greater than ourselves?
VLNguyen Van Linh
The idea of staying positive and doing the right thing, even when it doesn’t lead to immediate financial success, is inspiring, but also raises a question: How do we define success in a society so driven by money and achievement? Is true happiness about the actions we take, or is it a mix of external rewards and internal satisfaction?
TTVan Thanh Tran
Peterson’s perspective on doing the right thing, even when it doesn’t lead to immediate gains, resonates with the value of ethical living. But how do we balance the pursuit of doing good with the pressure to achieve material success in a world that often values the latter more? How can we find happiness and fulfillment without letting financial setbacks cloud our judgment?
CBNguyen Cong Bach
Gunnar Peterson’s words are a reminder that doing the right thing isn't always rewarded immediately, but the long-term benefits often outweigh the short-term struggles. Is it enough to do the right thing for the sake of doing good, even when it doesn’t lead to immediate financial rewards or recognition? Can we maintain our integrity and positivity without becoming discouraged by external measures of success?