“The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.” These insightful words were spoken by Marc Antony in Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar.” According to a Catholic Homily, “When a society deviates from the path of truth and justice and begins to pass into law just about anything law-makers feel like, such a society is set for self-destruction.” Unlike what was previously considered, lately, it’s becoming obvious that most people experience the consequences of their evil acts while still alive. This will be the focus of today’s reflection.
Do you know that the evil that men do doesn’t only live after them but lives with them? Are you conscious that any evil you do to others will come back to you? As the Catholic Homily for Thursday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time, Year B asked, “Have you ever tried to do harm to somebody? Have you ever felt insulted or seriously offended by the action of someone that you had to sit up all night planning what you are going to do to that person? Have you ever discussed the downfall of a fellow human being or sort out ways of carrying out a revenge?” The reality is that the evil one does to others unconsciously comes back to one. The Biblical wise man noted that “The merciful man does good for his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh. The wicked man does deceptive work, but he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward. As righteousness leads to life, so he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death” (Proverbs 11:17-19).
So, explore ways to live right and act right. Reject the temptation to do evil to others as the evil would come back to you. Know that position is transient and should be utilized for the good (not destruction) of humanity. Recognize, as Edward Mendlowitz observed, that “Regardless of who you are or what you do, there will always be someone that will say something bad about you…whether it is merited or not. It’s going to happen, just try to not do too many things that would make them right.” Reject the temptation to subscribe to the PHD (pull him down) syndrome. As the Catholic Homily described, “Whenever a person seems to be doing well and winning favours in the sight of the people, he or she immediately has enemies who feel threatened by such progress and start plotting out ways to destroy him or her.” Recognize that such way of life unconsciously draws to you evil in different dimensions and may even be responsible for some things you might have been eagerly praying against.
As you step out, remember Dele Giwa’s declaration: “No evil deed will go unpunished; any evil done by man to man will be redressed; if not now then certainly later; if not by man, then certainly by God for the victory of evil over good is temporary.” Do to no man anything you won’t want to come back to you.
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Dr. (Engr.) Esang Esitikot is a COREN-registed chemical engineer, an HSE professional, a public affairs analyst, marriage counsellor, youth mentor and volunteer lecturer at the Institute of Health, Safety, Security and Environment, University of Uyo. He works for an international oil company and can be contacted via 08035103559 (Whatsapp only).
