Selfish Actions and the Erosion of Inner Harmony
Each of us bears responsibility for choosing our own path, and when selfish actions prevail, they inevitably affect our inner world. At the very beginning of our lives, when a person is misguided in the search for the fullness of being, negative actions become not only a means of harming others but also a way to harm oneself. An erroneous choice, based on egocentrism and the improper use of freedom, leads to a gradual loss of inner harmony and life energy. Philosophically inclined sources attest that such behavior limits personal growth, diminishing both the quality of external existence and that of the inner self, turning life into a confined, impoverished space. Throughout one’s life, when actions are taken contrary to true goodness, the soul suffers internal wounds that over time turn into deep sores, hindering the attainment of joy and complete happiness. In the end, even if it outwardly appears that by harming others one gains an advantage, in reality the individual worsens his own fate by depriving himself of the opportunity to experience the full breadth and richness of life. This unproductive approach ultimately results in unpredictable and painful consequences, with each negative choice becoming a step toward the loss of inner balance and the joy of existence.
To what extent can a person’s negative actions primarily harm his own life?A person’s negative actions primarily harm himself, leading to the impoverishment of not only his external life but also his inner world. When an individual chooses actions based on selfishness and the improper use of the freedom granted to him, he limits his ability to achieve the fullness of being and loses his inner harmony. For example, one source states: "Self-loving being, striving for the absolute fullness of life for itself, creates for itself, instead of fullness, an impoverished life that is limited in every respect." (source: link txt)Another well-crafted excerpt emphasizes that every act committed against true goodness wounds the doer himself: "For with every sin a person commits, his soul becomes vulnerable and embittered. He sins against his neighbor; and he bears a sore upon his soul. ... Thus, every person sins and condemns himself." (source: link txt)These excerpts underscore that negative actions become a source of inner pain and self-destruction. Ultimately, by harming those around him, a person also harms himself, for through his actions he loses the opportunity to experience true goodness and the joy of life. This approach leads to negative actions intertwining with consequences that affect one’s personal destiny, often resulting in unpredictable and painful outcomes.