The Collapse of Manipulation

By Barish Kumar Samantaroy

In life, some people rise not by their own merit but by using the dignity of others. They act with cleverness, charm, and cunning, manipulating those around them to secure their success. Such individuals thrive on exploiting insecurities, bending trust, and treating people as mere tools for their own gain. To them, relationships are not bonds of respect but opportunities for advantage.

For a while, this strategy may appear successful. The manipulator climbs higher, achieving wealth, position, or recognition by feeding off the vulnerabilities of others. But the foundation of this rise is hollow, for it is built on borrowed strength and stolen dignity.

Then comes the turning point. One day, the manipulator meets an “undefined person.” Unlike others, this person cannot be placed into categories or controlled by tricks. They are self-aware, grounded in integrity, and shielded by their own principles. They cannot be swayed by flattery, deceived by guilt, or broken through pressure. Their calmness and clarity make them impossible to exploit.

At that moment, the manipulator’s cleverness fails. Every tactic that once brought them power becomes worthless. Their manipulative skill, once their weapon, is reduced to nothing in front of someone who stands firm in truth. Everything becomes zero.

This story carries a deeper lesson. Character, not cunning, is the real test of strength. Integrity and moral clarity act as a shield, protecting people from exploitation. The manipulator’s collapse is also a reminder of karma: what is gained through deceit cannot last, for lies cannot bear the weight of time. Ultimately, success built without honesty and respect crumbles into emptiness.

Thus, the saying reminds us: True strength lies not in exploiting others but in standing unshakable in truth.

JAYBHARAT