Dr. Huynh Duc Thien: ‘Don’t let temptations steal your happiness and success’

To achieve a universally admired accomplishment, everyone who has attained success and wealth has had to overcome numerous difficulties and challenges. However, in the pursuit of fame, wealth, and power, individuals are prone to making mistakes due to enticing temptations. The allure drives them to immerse themselves in greed and love addictions, eventually compromising their careers and happiness, even to the extent of committing legal offenses.

It is no coincidence that the great poet Nguyen Du coined the phrase, “Luck and misfortune are always close together,” which serves as a reminder that when achieving success, one should never become complacent “rest on one’s laurels”, and always stay vigilant in the face of easily earned large sums of money, as behind them may lurk dangers associated with “A great ship asks deep water“. Vietnamese people have a saying: “Wealth without righteousness is hard to gain. Only by living a virtuous and honest life can prosperity endure.” They also advised caution with “Beautiful women bring nothing but trouble” when experiencing the pinnacle of fame, as all of these factors can become unforeseen threats. In reality, there have been numerous notorious cases where successful and wealthy individuals have fallen into debt, legal troubles, and shattered happiness, sometimes losing everything. So, when and why do positive individuals become negative figures in society?

The reward of ‘success’ comes from perseverance, diligence, and dedication

There have been many famous individuals who have shared their journey to success, which was far from easy. Most of them came from poor or middle-class families, yet they were always self-reliant and considerate of others. Their initial motivation stemmed from love for their parents and witnessing their loved ones facing hardships, which drove them to work tirelessly day and night, laboring in various occupations to make a living, with the hope of supporting their families and improving their lives. Through their keenness, cleverness, and ability to seize opportunities, as well as recognizing their capabilities, they gradually nurtured the dream of becoming wealthy. From there, they focused their thoughts on asking many questions such as  “How, what can I do to earn a lot?” However, when they started to take action, almost everyone encountered certain obstacles and difficulties, with some experiencing failure more than a thousand times. Nevertheless, these setbacks didn’t discourage them. Instead, they turned them into the driving force to strive for extraordinary determination and resilience.

Illustrative photo

Thanks to their patience, perseverance, relentless effort, and positive mindset, combined with a desire to contribute to society, they have been able to surpass expectations. In addition, they also emphasize the importance of maintaining an optimistic spirit, enhancing honesty, and cultivating compassion. This not only helps them build happiness for themselves but also sows the seeds of future ‘sweet fruits’.

Like billionaire Jack Ma once said, “If you want to be successful, dedicate yourself to working harder and the wealth will come to you.” He also acknowledges that perseverance and diligence are two essential factors that contribute to success.

The reason why successful people are often tempted more frequently

After entering a life of luxury, some individuals feel proud of themselves and often take pride in and share their affluent lifestyles to gain admiration from others, elevating themselves as symbols of success. As a result, they tend to underestimate the value of advice and disregard those who haven’t achieved similar success. This attitude makes it easier for temptations to arise and challenge them. In life, temptations always lurk and surround us. They appear when one’s ego becomes too prominent, distracting them from focusing on positive aspects and loosening their moral values. During those times, temptations can easily penetrate deep within, particularly when wealth and fame hold an irresistible allure.

Based on real-life observations, it is evident that many successful individuals succumb to complacency when they reach the pinnacle of their careers. This is particularly true for those who enjoy showcasing their talents and strive for recognition and praise from society, as well as those who lack discernment in selecting their friends and associates. These individuals often become absorbed in their interests and goals, with the most captivating ones being fame, power, and personal desires.

However, there are still cases where individuals initially have no intention of becoming “bad people,” but unintentionally engage in unethical actions, gradually becoming negative subjects in society. Specifically, Mr. Hoang recounts, “I believe temptations are everywhere, sometimes even in healthy environments, and they stem from admiration and idolization of someone. I’ve witnessed a similar situation where two colleagues, both already married, one being the CEO and the other a subordinate, shared the common trait of helping others. Coupled with regular interactions in the workplace, they could see each other’s positive qualities. From there, a sense of admiration, and developing an illicit love affair.”

Illustrative photo

Through this, it can be observed that successful and famous individuals are often tempted far more than ordinary people due to the nature of their work, which exposes them to many attractive prospects. Furthermore, their self-esteem and desire for fame, power, and wealth can drive them to make unwise decisions. Even going as far as compromising their ethics to expedite their goals, they eventually have to face painful consequences. So, the most important thing in this life is how not to fall into the trap?

The secret to overcoming enticing temptations

To discuss this issue, we interviewed Dr. Huynh Duc Thien, a Lecturer, Presenter, and Doctor. He currently serves as the Head of the Department of Vietnamese History and Society at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, which is a part of Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City. He has achieved remarkable success, contributing to the international exposure of Vietnamese History through several years of teaching international students who come to Vietnam for their studies. Dr. Huynh Duc Thien has published 12 scholarly works both domestically and internationally, along with 15 reputable scientific articles within Vietnam. Additionally, he has actively participated in 30 international and domestic conference presentations, making significant contributions to the promotion of Vietnamese history and society, and establishing a reputable name in the field of education.

Photo. Presenter – Doctor. Huynh Duc Thien (standing on the left)

However, what is truly commendable about Dr. Huynh Duc Thien is his unwavering love and commitment to his wife. Despite sharing more than two decades of their lives, he has remained steadfast, affectionate, and respectful towards her, cherishing her and their children as his greatest treasures. He prioritizes spending time at home, bringing laughter and happiness to his family. Moreover, he not only ensures their financial security and supports their education but also quietly fulfills his responsibilities to the community.

A Korean student shared, “I greatly enjoy Dr. Huynh Duc Thien’s classes because he possesses extensive knowledge, delivers engaging lessons, and has a great sense of humor, which always brings positive energy to the classroom. Additionally, I appreciate his enthusiasm and willingness to support students who are facing challenges or difficult circumstances.”

Photo: He is highly regarded and beloved by many Korean students.

Perhaps inspired by their father’s example, his children also strive to diligently improve their knowledge. Recently, his eldest son was awarded a 4-year scholarship, valued at $44,000 per year, at Denison University in the United States, totaling approximately 4.3 billion VND, thanks to his impressive academic achievements. To attain such complete happiness, he has had to exert constant effort and self-improvement, overcoming various challenges and temptations in both emotional and material aspects of life.

He understands that “Regardless of the path to success we choose, we will always encounter temptations because human beings are naturally driven by desires. Some are tempted by money and wealth, others by power, fame, or the longing for love, even when they already have plenty, there is still a desire for more.” Besides, he would like to emphasize that: “We should remember to stay vigilant but most importantly, don’t let temptations steal our happiness and success. And if we want to overcome temptations, we need to have bravery”

Photo. His small family

The question is, where does bravery come from? According to him, bravery is formed from one’s inherent nature, upbringing with ethical family values from an early age or personal self-development. He also shares 3 secrets to cultivating bravery to overcome temptations.

1. Enhance your knowledge by consistently reading books and learning from intellectually accomplished individuals, as Dr. Huynh Duc Thien firmly believes that knowledge serves as the foundation for human enlightenment. It has the power to dispel ignorance and helps each person can discern between right and wrong.
2. Avoid being selfish and always consider whether your actions will hurt others. Cultivate a habit and lifestyle of caring for others. Therefore, when faced with temptations, you will know to reflect and reject unethical propositions.
3.  It’s advisable to maintain faith and acknowledge fear to avoid committing wrongdoings. This is a profound source of spiritual strength, enabling us to resist succumbing to any temptations, regardless of how ‘perfect’ they may appear.

Photo. Dr. Huynh Duc Thien shares

Therefore, to overcome all temptations, one must have courage. To acquire this courage, equip yourself with knowledge, live for others, have faith and be humble. It is through these qualities that we can confidently walk on the path of success and happiness.

By TVVN Press

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