We’re faced with decisions each day. It’s not enough to know the difference between right and wrong. The important thing is to convert those principles into words and actions. Given the option, would you rather choose the right path, even though it’s difficult, or the easy route, knowing that you’ll be compromising your standards? The West Point cadet prayer sums up their position well: “Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong.” Do you choose convenience over principles?

11 Ways Folks Choose Convenience over Principles

It may be easier to:

1. Sugarcoat bad news rather than tell it like it is.
2. Sweep a problem under the rug rather than address the issue head-on.
3. Create low expectations rather than set “stretch” goals.
4. Look the other way rather than reprimand a star performer for unethical behavior.
5. Point a finger rather than admit a mistake and learn a valuable lesson.
6. Throw money at a problem rather than make good use of what we have.
7. Follow the crowd rather than remain true to our beliefs and values.
8. Promote a quick-fix solution rather than address a problem’s root cause.
9. Distribute resources equally rather than set priorities and make tough choices.
10. Maintain silence rather than speak up against injustice.
11. Encourage dependency rather than provide people with good opportunities as well as the tools to succeed.

Compromising your principles, even one time, can be a terrible mistake. As the saying goes, “Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. And watch your character, for it becomes your destiny!” The fact is, knowing what’s right isn’t as important as doing what’s right.

What Do You Think?

Please leave a comment and tell us what you think or share it with someone who can benefit from the information.

This post is adapted from BOOKSMART: Hundreds of real-world lessons for success and happiness, by Frank Sonnenberg.

Additional Reading:
Do You Have the Discipline to Do What’s Right?
Never Lower Your Personal Standards. Never!
Are You Blurring the Line Between Right and Wrong?
Be Honorable for Your Own Good
Do You Lead by Example?
Knowing Isn’t Doing
23 Ways to Spot a Hypocrite

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