The three ordinary things that we often don't pay enough

Hear the words of Azim Premji, the wise steward of enterprise and service: “The three ordinary things that we often don’t pay enough attention to, but which I believe are the drivers of all success, are hard work, perseverance, and basic honesty.” These are not lofty secrets hidden in the heavens, nor treasures buried deep in the earth. They are simple, common virtues, placed before every human being. Yet because they are ordinary, we often overlook them, searching instead for miracles, shortcuts, or clever tricks. Premji reminds us that greatness is not built on mystery, but upon these three ancient pillars.

Hard work is the first. It is the daily fire of effort, the sweat of the brow, the faithful toil when none are watching. Without it, dreams remain shadows. The farmer who neglects to till his field will reap nothing, no matter how fertile the soil. The scholar who refuses long nights of study will never master wisdom. In every age, those who rose to glory first embraced the discipline of labor. Hard work is not glamorous, but it is the forge where strength is made.

The second is perseverance. For even the diligent worker will face storms—failures, betrayals, and trials that break the weak-hearted. Perseverance is the unbending will that continues when others fall away. It is what carried explorers across unknown seas and inventors through countless failed experiments. Think of Thomas Edison, who failed thousands of times before bringing light to the world. It was not brilliance alone that achieved this—it was the refusal to yield. Perseverance transforms defeat into stepping stones, and hardship into fuel.

The third is honesty—the simplest and yet the rarest of the three. Many may work hard, many may endure, but without truth in their dealings, their triumph will collapse like a house of sand. Honesty builds trust, and trust is the foundation upon which lasting success is built. History remembers leaders like Abraham Lincoln, who was called “Honest Abe” not for convenience but for character. His integrity bound his people to him in times of division and despair. Without honesty, success is a hollow shell. With it, success becomes enduring.

Premji’s words arise not from philosophy alone, but from his life. As the leader of Wipro, he guided his company to greatness, not by reckless ambition but by remaining faithful to these three principles. While others sought shortcuts, he built slowly, patiently, and ethically, until his name became synonymous with both enterprise and philanthropy. His success testifies that greatness is not the result of chance, but of living by these ancient virtues, day after day.

The lesson is this: do not chase after secret formulas or hidden keys to fortune. Look instead to the ordinary virtues you already know, and practice them with devotion. Work hard when laziness tempts you. Persevere when the world grows dark. Be honest when deceit seems easier. These three together form the path of enduring success, not just in business, but in life itself.

Practical action lies before you: write these three words—hard work, perseverance, honesty—where your eyes may see them daily. When you wake, ask yourself: “Will I labor with diligence today? Will I endure when trials come? Will I speak and act with truth?” Let these questions be your compass, and with time, you will see the fruits of your labor. Not quickly, not easily, but surely, as the tree bears fruit in its season.

So let this teaching be carved into memory: the path to success is not paved with secrets, but with ordinary stones—stones of labor, endurance, and truth. Walk upon them faithfully, and your journey will lead not only to achievement, but to honor. For the world does not remember merely the clever or the fortunate, but those who built with hard work, who endured with perseverance, and who lived with honesty shining in their hearts.