When you betray somebody else, you also betray yourself.

Betrayal is a blade with two edges, one striking outward and the other turning inward. When Isaac Bashevis Singer, the great storyteller of the Jewish people, declared, “When you betray somebody else, you also betray yourself,” he spoke of a profound truth about the human soul. To betray another is not merely to wound them, but to shatter something sacred within one’s own spirit. Trust, once broken, leaves scars not only on the victim but on the betrayer, for they have forsaken their own honor, their own identity, and the divine spark of truth within.

The essence of Singer’s wisdom lies in the deep bond between human beings. We are bound together by trust, which acts as the invisible thread of families, friendships, nations, and civilizations. When that thread is cut, the betrayal reverberates in both directions. The one who deceives may gain power, wealth, or safety for a moment, but they will carry a hidden burden of guilt, a slow poison that eats away at their peace. Thus, in harming others, they unwittingly destroy the integrity of their own soul.

History offers countless examples of this tragic pattern. Consider the tale of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Though he achieved his immediate goal, Judas’s soul was consumed by remorse. His act of treachery did not bring him lasting reward, only despair so deep that he took his own life. His story is a timeless reminder that betrayal always turns inward, staining the heart of the betrayer with shame that no earthly riches can wash away.

There are also lessons from the realm of politics. In the fall of Rome, many senators betrayed the Republic, forming secret alliances and abandoning their sworn duties for personal gain. Though they believed themselves clever, their treachery hastened the empire’s collapse. In betraying their fellow citizens, they also betrayed themselves, for they destroyed the very nation that gave them power and privilege. Their names are remembered not with honor, but with contempt.

On a personal level, Singer’s words remind us that every act of betrayal diminishes the betrayer’s humanity. Even if the world never discovers the act, the self knows. The conscience whispers in the night, eroding joy and self-respect. To remain faithful to others is to remain faithful to one’s own deepest self. In loyalty, we preserve not only relationships but also the integrity of our inner being.

Let this teaching be etched upon the hearts of future generations: betrayal is never a path to freedom or gain, but a descent into inner ruin. When tempted to deceive or abandon another, remember that in doing so you strike at the very core of your own soul. As Singer teaches, to betray another is to betray yourself, and the one who chooses faithfulness walks the higher road, where honor and peace dwell eternally.