It is always good to strive to be kind and do good to others, regardless of whether such acts will ever be repaid. Life teaches us that kindness can have far-reaching effects, sometimes saving us from unseen troubles or helping others in ways we might never imagine. However, human behaviour can be unpredictable, and the responses we get to our good deeds may not always be pleasant. Despite this, we should remain committed to doing good because the world needs kindness, and we never know when such actions will come back to benefit us or someone else.
No matter what, we should aim to treat people with trust and fairness. However, the truth about human nature is that it can be unreliable. As the saying goes, "The heart of man is deceitful and desperately wicked; who can know it?" People are prone to change and can act in ways that hurt us, often in moments when they are presented with opportunities for personal gain. This is especially true when money is involved. Sadly, betrayal can come from unexpected places, even from those we consider close friends.
I recently experienced a painful betrayal from someone I called a friend. This friend, whom I trusted deeply, turned against me for personal gain. The situation began when I wanted to purchase a piece of land. My friend introduced me to a seller he knew, and I was initially grateful for his assistance. It is not easy to find friends who genuinely have your best interest at heart, so I thought he was helping me out of goodwill.
The seller showed me three different plots of land before I found one that I liked. At first, I planned to buy a full plot, but upon realizing that my budget couldn't cover the cost, I settled for half a plot instead. The seller priced the half plot at 2 million naira, which was already stretching my financial capacity. I expected my friend to negotiate on my behalf to lower the price, but to my surprise, he was more interested in convincing me that the price was already a bargain. He even suggested I pay 2.2 million naira so he could secure a higher commission for himself.
Frustrated, I told the seller that I was no longer interested in buying the land. It was only after this that the seller reluctantly agreed to sell the half plot for 2 million naira. Eventually, I finalized the deal and made the necessary payment. To show appreciation to my friend, I also settled him with a commission for his role in facilitating the transaction. I thought everything was fine, and I was happy to have acquired the land.
However, what followed was shocking. Unknowingly to me, my friend colluded with the seller to resell the land to another buyer. If not for the fact that I had already started processing the paperwork for the land, I could have lost everything. It was the legal documentation I had completed that ultimately protected my ownership of the property. Without it, I would have been left with nothing despite my efforts and the trust I had placed in my friend.
This experience taught me a harsh lesson about human nature. People, even those we trust, can act in ways that are selfish and hurtful. It is disheartening to realize that someone you considered a friend could betray you so easily, all for personal gain. The heart of man, indeed, can be wicked.
Despite this betrayal, I still believe in the importance of being kind and good to others. However, it is also essential to be cautious and protect oneself from potential harm. Trust is a precious thing, and while we should strive to see the best in people, we must also remain vigilant and ensure that our actions are guided by wisdom.