Success Depends on Character and Not on Opportunity — Argumentative Essay

“So shines a good deed in a naughty world”, said William Shakespeare, implying that a person with a good character stands out in the bad and selfish world. Success to such a person comes sooner than later in his chosen field of activity, without waiting for an opportunity.

Opportunity is basically the favourable juncture of circumstances and success is the fulfilling of a given task or goal. The favourable juncture of circumstances comes to a person blessed with a good character. His purity of thought and relentless effort toward his goal do not go unnoticed in the society. Hence sooner or later opportunity knocks at his door. Thomas Edison rightly said, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

Success has different connotations for different people. For some, accumulation of wealth could be a barometer of success, while for others it could be the exercise of power, authority, knowledge, or social status. In the absence of character one may become successful by clutching at opportunities using fair or foul means, but such glory is usually short lived and transitory. We have before us the example of Hitler who was a mere soldier in the German army. He rose to power as the Fuehrer seizing every opportunity that came his way. However, his skewed personality brought about his downfall and his country to ruin in the second world war. Such opportunists may scale great heights, but their downfall is as steep as their meteoric rise.

Character helps optimise on the opportunity. It is a ladder to achieve one’s goal in life. The pleasant and wholesome personality of such a person catches the attention and is appreciated by others. This recognition brings with it opportunities which he seizes with both hands. His disciplined approach to life enables him to make the best use of it to achieve his goal. The success bears the stamp of his character and hence is more stable and lasting.

History is replete with many illustrious men of character who became great leaders, often changing the destiny of their nation. Mahatma Gandhi by dint of his character challenged the mighty British Empire. He did not have to look for an opportunity to come his way, but opportunity was thrust on him and he became immortal as the Father of the Nation.

Albert Einstein acknowledging the importance of character said, “Most people say that it is the intellect which makes a great scientist. They are wrong, it is character.” Indeed character is the touchstone for success for you can make hay while the sun shines, but only when there is the SUN.