Those Who Find Pleasure in Belittling Others

“हर जगह ऐसे ओछे लोग रहते हैं, जिन्हें दूसरों को नीचा दिखाने में ही आनंद आता है।”

“In every place, there are narrow-minded people who find pleasure only in humiliating and belittling others.”

This profound observation attributed to Munshi Premchand reveals an unpleasant but enduring truth about human society. In every family, workplace, profession, institution and social circle, we may encounter individuals who attempt to elevate themselves by pulling others down. They criticise unnecessarily, ridicule weaknesses, spread rumours, question achievements and publicly humiliate others—not to correct any wrong, but to satisfy their own ego.

Such conduct is not evidence of superiority. On the contrary, it generally arises from insecurity, jealousy and inner dissatisfaction. A confident person does not feel threatened by another person’s success. A truly capable person does not need to diminish anyone else to prove their own importance. Only those uncertain of their own worth attempt to manufacture greatness by making others appear small.

There is an enormous difference between constructive criticism and deliberate humiliation. Constructive criticism identifies a mistake with the intention of helping someone improve. It is expressed privately, respectfully and honestly. Humiliation, however, attacks the person rather than the problem. Its purpose is not reform but injury; not guidance but domination; not truth but entertainment at another person’s expense.

People who habitually belittle others often target those who are gentle, sincere or reluctant to retaliate. They mistake silence for weakness, politeness for fear and patience for helplessness. But remaining dignified in the face of provocation is not cowardice. It requires far greater strength to preserve self-control than to answer every insult with another insult.

A person’s words reveal the condition of the person’s mind. Those who possess kindness encourage others. Those who possess wisdom correct without insulting. Those who possess dignity respect even their opponents. But those whose minds are occupied by jealousy derive temporary satisfaction from exposing faults, creating embarrassment and disturbing harmony.

The success of another person does not reduce our own possibilities. Appreciating someone’s talent does not make us inferior, and helping another person rise does not make us smaller. A lamp loses nothing by lighting another lamp. In fact, the capacity to recognise goodness in others is itself a mark of greatness.

We should therefore refuse to participate in the culture of ridicule. We must neither humiliate others nor remain silent spectators when someone is unfairly targeted. A joke that destroys another person’s dignity is not humour. Gossip that damages someone’s reputation is not entertainment. Criticism motivated by jealousy is not honesty.

At the same time, we must not allow the opinions of petty-minded people to determine our self-worth. Their words generally reveal more about their own character than about the person they attack. We should accept genuine correction with humility, reject malicious criticism with confidence and continue our journey without surrendering our peace.

Time ultimately exposes everyone. Artificial superiority cannot remain concealed forever, just as genuine merit cannot remain suppressed forever. A person may temporarily obtain attention by insulting others, but respect is earned only through character, conduct and contribution.

Never attempt to become tall by forcing another person to kneel. True greatness lies in helping others stand with dignity. A noble person inspires, a wise person guides, and only a small-minded person finds pleasure in bringing someone down.

— Ashok Kumar Singh
Advocate, High Court at Calcutta