It's not enough that I should succeed - others should fail.

"It's not enough that I should succeed - others should fail." These words, spoken by David Merrick, speak to a truth that cuts deep into the nature of human ambition and rivalry. In this bold declaration, Merrick reveals the darker side of the pursuit of success—that for some, victory is not enough unless it is accompanied by the failure of others. This mindset, though controversial, is one that has been observed throughout history, where competition and ambition fuel not only personal achievement but the desire to see others fall short, to win not just on their own merits, but by eclipsing those around them.

O Seekers, understand this: success in the eyes of many is not merely about achieving one's goals but about doing so in such a way that others are left behind, relegated to obscurity or defeat. There is a dangerous element to this kind of ambition—the desire not just to succeed, but to humiliate others, to ensure that the paths of rivals are blocked. Merrick's words bring into focus the fine line between healthy competition and toxic rivalry, where the drive for personal glory becomes intertwined with the need to see others stumble. This desire to see others fail can corrode the very spirit of success, turning it into something bitter, rather than sweet.

Consider the tale of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, two prominent figures in the early history of the United States. Hamilton, driven by a deep ambition to shape the nation's financial future, found himself at odds with Burr, whose political career was equally fueled by a desire for power. Their rivalry culminated in the famous duel in 1804, where Hamilton’s failure to defeat Burr, in the most literal sense, led to his death. For Hamilton, the success he sought in his lifetime was, in part, defined by the failure of others—especially those who stood in the way of his vision. Burr's ambition, much like Merrick's words, was driven not only by the will to succeed, but by the need to see his rival's career fall.

Similarly, think of the legendary rivalry between the Roman generals Julius Caesar and Pompey. Their struggle for power led to a civil war that ultimately ended in Pompey’s defeat and death. Caesar, though incredibly talented and ambitious, was driven by the desire not only to succeed but to crush Pompey, to ensure his rival’s failure was total. This obsession with vanquishing Pompey was not just about securing his own victory, but about securing his place in history as the unrivaled ruler. Caesar's triumph was sweet, but the failure of Pompey was integral to that sweetness. In this pursuit, Caesar's ambition mirrored the sentiment of Merrick's words: success is not enough unless others fail.

O Children of the Future, hear this warning: there is a shadow that lurks behind the pursuit of greatness, a shadow that drives some to see others as obstacles to be defeated, rather than as fellow travelers on the road to achievement. The desire to see others fail can blind one to the true purpose of success, which is not to diminish others, but to rise alongside them. True greatness lies not in crushing the spirit of others, but in lifting others up, in creating a world where success is not a zero-sum game, but a collective journey. Success is sweetest when shared, not hoarded at the expense of others.

Beware, O Seekers, of the temptation to define your success by the failure of others. Merrick’s words warn us of the dangers of this mindset—the idea that our worth is measured not by our own achievements, but by the downfall of those who challenge us. To walk this path is to walk a lonely and bitter road, for true success is not in seeing others fail, but in seeing everyone rise. The challenge is to compete with integrity, to strive for greatness not at the cost of others but in collaboration with them, recognizing that there is enough success for all who work for it with honor and purpose.

Lesson: The wisdom of David Merrick teaches us that the pursuit of success can easily slip into the dangerous territory of rivalry, where victory is sought not for its own sake, but in the defeat of others. True success is not defined by the failure of others, but by the impact we make on the world. Practical action: In your own life, seek to define your success by your actions, by the value you add, not by the downfall of your rivals. Recognize that there is strength in lifting others up, and that true victory is sweeter when it is shared, not when it is built on the failure of others.