The quote “Success is the best form of revenge” is widely used, but just how valid is that statement? This quote perpetuates the idea that you should achieve your own goals in order to make someone else feel inferior. That mentality is toxic; you cannot live your life to spite another person. Additionally, you cannot truly get over the pain someone caused you while dwelling on what that person thinks of you. Success should never be used as a form of revenge, because even if you accomplish every goal you ever set out to do, flawed intentions will diminish your accomplishments. The main motive behind every great thing you do should be to make yourself feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. While you should be accomplishing your goals for yourself first and foremost, it is still entirely acceptable to accomplish your goals to make the people you love proud of you. However, achieving great things just to rub it in someone’s face is irrational and immature.
Success is the best form of happiness and satisfaction, not revenge. Having the ability to reflect on your efforts and realize how much they paid off is extremely fulfilling and gives you a strong sense of worth. Putting forth hours of unwavering effort and finally being rewarded is one of the greatest feelings in the world. Think about how amazing you feel after you attain a difficult goal. With that in mind, think of how terrible you felt when you were hurt by the person you are now trying to spite. The two thoughts simply do not mesh well, because you should never mix your new feelings of joy and fulfillment with your old feelings of anger and malice. By doing so, you are cheating yourself out of the confidence and pride you deserve by being insecure and unforgiving.
Achieve great things for the purpose of attaining gratification. Be the best person you can possibly be, and do this to make yourself and the people who are relevant in your life proud. The opinions of someone who does not have your best interests at heart are trivial and worthless, just as that person should be in your life. If your success is validated by your desire to show that someone else’s achievements are menial, you are unintentionally making that person a priority in your life. You cannot fully cut someone out of your life unless you rid yourself of animosity and ill will towards him or her. Once you eliminate spite, you can finally take pride in the fact that you achieved your goals for a good reason. Work to accomplish everything you have ever wanted to do without ever seeking revenge. Whoever treated you poorly will get a form of retribution at some point in their life, but that is not yours to influence or care about. Success is a gift that no one can take away from you, as long as you don’t let vengeance get in the way.
