To have character
As one grows into an adult, it becomes clear that the world of adults is full of acting, manipulation and strategy.
It is terribly tempting to join in and become calculative in our actions and behaviour to increase our chances at acquiring money, power or prestige.
Many adults are convinced that it is a sign of immaturity, naivety and weakness not to play along.
But can you do so without losing your self-respect, without diminishing your character?
And for what? Is a slight increase in worldly success worth the selling of your soul?
In order to have character, one must do what's right and accept the consequences.
We can never really, fully know and predict the chain of consequences that will follow from our actions anyway. Thinking we can is full of conceit.
We can, however, know and do what feels right in this moment. Doing so results in a clear conscience and inner peace. This is freedom.