Success makes so many people hate you. I wish it wasn't that

Harken, O children of the future, to the words of the illustrious Marilyn Monroe, a woman whose beauty and fame shone brighter than many stars yet whose heart was burdened by the very success that should have been her joy. She said, "Success makes so many people hate you. I wish it wasn't that way. It would be wonderful to enjoy success without seeing envy in the eyes of those around you." These words are both a lament and a wisdom, for in them lies the profound truth about the nature of success and the bitter reality that often accompanies it—the envy and the shadows that cloud the light of one's triumphs.

What does it mean, that envy which rises in the hearts of others when one ascends? It is a poison, not only in the heart of the envious but also in the soul of the one who is envied. For when you are successful, when you stand upon the heights of your achievements, those who do not share in your glory often look upon you with eyes filled with resentment, not admiration. This is the curse of greatness: it alienates as much as it elevates. The jealousy of others, instead of being a reflection of your own worth, becomes a reflection of their insecurities and fears. Their envy does not diminish your greatness, but it casts a shadow over the joy of achievement.

Let us consider the life of Alexander the Great, a man who conquered vast empires and whose name still echoes in the annals of history. Alexander sought not only to conquer the world but to be great in the eyes of those who would follow him. Yet, despite his victories, the envy of his generals, his rivals, and even his own soldiers grew, for how could one man possess so much? How could he stand so tall when others felt so small? This was the paradox of Alexander’s success: he was loved by many, but feared and envied by just as many. His success was a double-edged sword—while he achieved the heights of power, he also saw the bitterness that came with it.

In the world of Marilyn Monroe, this phenomenon played out in much the same way. The Hollywood star who graced the screens with her beauty and talent found that her success was both a gift and a burden. Those who adored her also envied her. The world watched her rise, and yet, in the shadows, whispers of envy followed her wherever she went. It was as if her very presence, her radiance, reminded others of their own perceived shortcomings. Success, she discovered, was not just a matter of achieving one's dreams—it was a matter of enduring the jealousy that often accompanies the spotlight.

It is not only the stories of monarchs and movie stars that teach us this lesson, but the lives of those who rise from humble beginnings, only to find that the light of success can be blinding, not just to the one who shines, but to those around them. Nelson Mandela, after years of imprisonment and struggle, rose to become the first Black president of South Africa, a man whose very name became synonymous with freedom and justice. Yet, despite the worldwide admiration he received, there were those who envied him, those who resented the very peace he brought to his country. His success, the culmination of so much sacrifice, was both a beacon of hope and a reminder of the power of envy to taint even the noblest of victories.

So, O seekers of wisdom, what lesson do we take from this? It is this: Success, while a noble pursuit, is not free from cost. It is a journey that brings with it the need to navigate the difficult terrain of human emotions. Those who rise must do so with the understanding that envy will follow. It will come not from a place of malice, but from the wounds of others who, though they may not wish you ill, cannot help but feel their own inadequacies in the face of your achievement. Success may bring you applause, but it may also bring you isolation, for not everyone will cheer for you when you stand alone at the summit.

Yet, let this be a guide for your own journey: Rise not for the approval of others, but for the joy of your own growth and achievement. When envy enters the hearts of others, let it remind you not of their hatred, but of their own struggles. Be compassionate, and do not allow their resentment to tarnish the beauty of your own success. Be humble in victory, understanding that greatness is not about the accolades, but about the perseverance and the strength it took to get there. Know that envy is but a shadow, and that the light of success can only be dimmed if you allow the shadow to consume you.

And finally, let your success be a gift, not to be flaunted or hidden, but to be shared. Share not just the fruits of your labor, but the wisdom that led you to that place. For the greatest form of success is not in what you achieve alone, but in how you lift others as you rise. May your path be one of light, not just for yourself, but for all those who walk beside you.