Life has a wonderfully predictable script. A person begins with nothing. Works hard. Struggles heroically. Prays occasionally. Succeeds unexpectedly. And then trips spectacularly. Not because success is poisonous. But because applause is.
Most people who fall do not slip on banana peels. They slip on compliments.
At the beginning of success, everything is healthy. You are grateful. You say thank you to God. You remember the sleepless nights. You remember the unpaid bills. You remember that aunt who lent you money and never got it back. You know this did not happen by magic.
Then the clapping starts.
Someone says, “You are brilliant.”
Another says, “You are gifted.”
A third says, “Honestly, without you nothing would function.”
By the fourth compliment you are blushing.
By the tenth you are nodding.
By the twentieth you are thinking, “Yes, I am quite something.”
That is when God is gently moved from the throne to a folding chair in the corner.
You still look religious. You still use holy vocabulary. But inside, the sentence has changed from “God helped me” to “I achieved this.”
The moment a human being starts feeling like the manufacturer instead of the distributor, gravity clears its throat.
When people praise you, the wise person becomes a spiritual postman. He receives the compliment and forwards it upstairs. Address changed. Recipient: God.
Another uncomfortable truth is that leaders do not collapse alone. They are assisted.
By admirers.
By cheerleaders.
By people who say yes even when the leader suggests painting the sun green.
Every leader needs at least one irritating human being nearby. Someone who asks annoying questions. Someone who says, “Are you sure?” Someone who is willing to be unpopular. Without such people, leaders slowly begin believing they can walk on water. They cannot. They can barely walk on wet bathroom tiles.
Those around good leaders must resist the urge to constantly polish their egos. Continuous praise is not encouragement. It is slow poison in attractive packaging.
The world teaches us to build platforms. God teaches us to build character. Platforms make you famous. Character keeps you sane. Platforms without character are like tall buildings made of cardboard. Impressive from a distance. Embarrassing in a storm.
Success itself is not evil. Adulation is. Money is not dangerous. Worship is. Power is not intoxicating. Praise is.
The wise person enjoys success the way one enjoys dessert. Slowly. Occasionally. And never for every meal.
So if success rings your doorbell, welcome it. Offer it tea. Do not give it your house keys. Keep thanking God loudly. Keep doubting yourself mildly. Keep laughing at your own importance.
Because history is loyal to one truth: Those who kneel, stand longer!
Those who stand tall in their own eyes eventually lie down. Permanently.
Adulation brings about the fall. Humility quietly installs railings on the staircase of success…!
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Robert Clements is a newspaper columnist and writes a daily column, which has graced the pages of over 60 newspapers and magazines, from a daily column in the Khaleej Times, Dubai, the Morning Star, London, and in nearly every state in India, from The Statesman in Kolkata, to the Kashmir Times in Kashmir to the Trinity Mirror in Chennai.
This really resonated with me. It’s easy to read this and think of others, but much harder to see how quietly this shift can happen in our own hearts — from gratitude to self-credit.
It reminds me of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet (John 13): knowing who He was, yet choosing humility over applause.
A timely reminder to examine ourselves and remember the One from whom all things come.
Thank you Melvin!
I found so much wisdom in today’s article. I especially love the metaphor of becoming a “spiritual postman”—it perfectly captures the discipline of redirecting praise without rejecting it. The reminder that leaders need “irritating” truth‑tellers also struck me. It’s easy to surround ourselves with people who clap, but it’s the ones who question us who keep us grounded.
Thank you, Bob, for articulating this so clearly.
Thank you so very much Laveena.
As usual a superbly written column, which reminds us to be humble and sincere. Life can be pretty challenging sometimes and money, fame and even physical attributes can become victims of situations and circumstances. Character and gratitude to our Creator will always stand us in good stead.