Why would you invest in a company which is out of synch with the

The words of Paul Polman, “Why would you invest in a company which is out of synch with the needs of society, that does not take its social compliance in its supply chain seriously, that does not think about the costs of externalities or of its negative impacts on society?” resound like a stern admonition from a wise elder to a reckless youth. Polman, former CEO of Unilever and a pioneer of sustainable business, reminds us that wealth without conscience is decay, and profit without responsibility is ruin. A true investment is not merely the placing of money into ventures, but the weaving of trust into the fabric of human life. And no company, however vast, can endure if it stands in opposition to the very society that sustains it.

The origin of this saying arises from the great transformation of commerce in the 21st century. For centuries, businesses measured success by profit alone, with little regard for the rivers they polluted, the forests they cut, or the workers they exploited. But Polman saw that the age of blind extraction was drawing to a close. He called for companies to face their externalities—those hidden costs borne by the poor, by the planet, and by future generations. His question is not rhetorical; it is a challenge to investors and citizens alike: why support what corrodes, when you could nurture what renews?

History has shown, again and again, the destruction wrought by enterprises deaf to the needs of society. Consider the Industrial Revolution in its darker light. Factories belched smoke that blackened the skies of London; children worked fourteen-hour days in mills; rivers like the Thames became poisoned channels of filth. For a time, these companies grew rich, but their short-sightedness bred misery, disease, and revolt. It was only when reformers, unions, and enlightened leaders forced change that a balance began to emerge. Polman’s words echo this ancient warning: to ignore society is to invite collapse.

Yet history also gives us luminous examples of responsibility. In Japan, for centuries, the ethic of stewardship was embodied in forestry practices where trees were replanted as they were harvested, ensuring abundance for generations. In more recent times, companies that embraced sustainability—whether by reducing carbon, improving labor conditions, or fostering communities—have not only survived but thrived, for they built trust as well as profit. This is what Polman means: a company aligned with society becomes not only wealthy but enduring, a force for renewal rather than depletion.

The deeper meaning is this: the market is not separate from humanity, but part of it. To believe that one can exploit workers in the shadows, pollute the earth in silence, or chase profit without regard for negative impacts is to believe in a fantasy. For the truth always returns. The poisoned water becomes sickness; the underpaid worker becomes unrest; the ignored climate becomes catastrophe. A company that denies this is like a tree cutting its own roots. It may stand for a moment, but soon it must fall.

The lesson for us is profound. Whether we are investors of wealth, of time, or of labor, we must ask: does the work we support serve society, or does it erode it? Do our choices sustain the earth, or do they wound it? The wise will not be dazzled by short-term gain, but will seek the enduring wealth of alignment with justice, fairness, and sustainability. The true return on investment is not measured in numbers alone, but in the health of people, the flourishing of communities, and the survival of the planet itself.

Practical actions are clear. If you hold investments, direct them toward companies that practice sustainability and social responsibility. If you are a consumer, choose products from those who honor their supply chains and care for their workers. If you are a worker or leader, raise your voice to steer your organization toward practices that benefit the many, not just the few. And above all, live as though every choice is an investment in the future—for indeed, it is.

Thus let Polman’s words endure as a teaching for the ages: never invest in decay when you can invest in renewal. The company that aligns with the needs of society will endure like a mighty oak, its roots deep and its branches wide. But the company that ignores society will wither like grass beneath the sun. Let this be the wisdom passed down: wealth must serve life, or it will destroy itself.