Exploring the Role of Vices in Human Nature: Are Vices Always Bad?
The Sage Advise: Kill all our vices—pride, greed, anger, and more—before they destroy us. But, are vices always bad, or do they serve a deeper purpose?
In today’s world, where complexities reign and human behavior and vices are intricately linked, it’s worth asking: Are these really vices?
The Sage Advice: Should You Really Kill These Vices?
The specific vices highlighted are:
- Pride (मद)
- Greed (लोभ)
- Anger (क्रोध)
- Lust (वासना)
- Delusion (माया)
- Jealousy (ईर्ष्या-द्वेष)
- Negativity (नकारात्मकता)
- Selfishness (स्वार्थपरता)
- Hatred (घृणा)
- Ego (अहंकार)
We’ve all come across it at some point—a well-meaning piece of advice to rid ourselves of certain traits or "vices" that supposedly bring ruin to our lives: pride, greed, anger, lust, delusion, jealousy, negativity, selfishness, hatred, and ego. This advice, often presented as timeless wisdom, tells us to crush these vices before they destroy us.
Let’s pause for a moment before blindly following this so-called sage advice. After all, much of what we consider "wisdom" today is nothing more than a regurgitation of ideas that have passed through the hands of generations, without questioning their true worth. And in today’s world, where complexities reign and human nature cannot be defined by simplistic moral checklists, it’s worth asking: Are these really vices?
What if pride isn’t inherently harmful? What if greed has a survival mechanism buried deep within it? Anger, when properly channeled, can lead to justice and change. So, rather than jumping onto the bandwagon of “kill your vices,” maybe we should first explore their true roles in our lives.
The Case Against Blindly Following the “Wise” Advice
The advice we’re often handed is wrapped in a cloak of moral superiority, yet it may just be a dumb copycat—offering only surface-level answers to complex human emotions. The advice tells us to erase parts of our nature that have been part of us for millennia. Are we ready to do that?
Take pride for instance. Is it always something to kill? In moderation, pride pushes us toward self-respect, dignity, and accomplishment. Without pride, we might become passive or overly humble, losing the drive to better ourselves.
Then there's greed. Greed, when out of control, has led to environmental degradation, inequality, and countless social ills. But at its core, is it not rooted in the basic human instinct to survive, to ensure that we have enough resources to face the uncertainties of tomorrow?
Anger, too, is often painted as a purely destructive force. But throughout history, anger has ignited revolutions, pushed societies to fight injustice, and made people stand up for what is right. The key lies in how that anger is channeled.
Do you still believe all these traits deserve to be eliminated?
A Deeper Look at These So-called “Vices”
The word "vice" itself paints a picture of something inherently wrong—something to be purged. But is that fair? Do these traits always deserve their negative reputation, or is there a more balanced perspective we’re missing?
Consider jealousy. Society teaches us to reject it outright, but jealousy often reflects our deepest desires—what we value, what we fear losing. In this sense, jealousy is a window into our own unmet needs, and if managed well, it can push us toward personal growth rather than resentment.
Selfishness, too, is dismissed as something we must rid ourselves of, but healthy selfishness is a form of self-care. We need it to set boundaries, protect our well-being, and make choices that allow us to thrive.
Even ego—perhaps the most vilified of all—can be understood as the driving force behind personal agency, giving us the confidence to stand by our beliefs, to assert ourselves when needed. Without some form of ego, would we have the courage to speak up, to fight for what we believe is right?
The Flawed Wisdom Behind Eliminating Vices
By now, you’re probably wondering why this “sage” advice even exists. It’s true that when taken to extremes, these traits can cause harm. But let’s not ignore their nuanced roles in our lives. A balanced approach, where these traits are acknowledged, understood, and channeled constructively, may serve us far better than trying to kill them off completely.
Instead of waging war against parts of ourselves, why not seek harmony? Nature itself doesn’t discard any trait; it adapts and integrates. Shouldn’t we aim for the same? It’s time to look beyond black-and-white labels like "vice" and "virtue" and recognize the spectrum in between, where these traits exist in balance.
What we need isn’t the elimination of pride, greed, or ego, but the wisdom and emotional intelligence to know when they serve us and when they lead us astray.
Understanding our vices and keeping them in control is the surest way to self improvement, I believe.
Finally, the Question to be Answered
Even if we get rid of all these "vices", then what will remain? A deep moral dilemma and philosophical introspection to confront.