Cheapness Has No Levels
Experienced
something disgusting a few days back
People often believe that human behavior can be placed on a
scale. We classify actions as good or bad, noble or selfish, ethical or
unethical. We imagine that even among dishonest people, there are degrees of
dishonesty; even among manipulative people, there are limits they will not
cross. Experience, however, teaches a
harsher lesson: cheapness has no levels.
Deception as
a way of life
When a person chooses deception as a way of life, every
boundary becomes negotiable. Truth becomes optional. Accountability becomes
inconvenient. Morality becomes a costume worn only when it serves a purpose.
One of the most disturbing aspects of human behavior is not the act of wrongdoing itself, but the extraordinary effort some people invest in protecting themselves from the consequences of their actions. They construct elaborate narratives, create alternate identities, manipulate facts, and present carefully curated versions of themselves to the world. The objective is simple: maintain a respectable image while operating in a completely different manner behind closed doors.
Influence of the Digital World
The modern digital world has made this easier than ever. A
person can hide behind anonymous accounts, fake profiles, and fabricated
stories. They can provoke, harass, intimidate, and emotionally manipulate
others while preserving complete deniability. If confronted, they retreat
behind a wall of carefully prepared explanations. If exposed, they become the
victim. If questioned, they claim misunderstanding. If evidence appears, they
question the motives of the person presenting it.
What makes such behavior particularly fascinating is the
contradiction it reveals. The same individual who privately engages in
questionable conduct may publicly advertise integrity, professionalism, and
ethical standards. Some even go so far as to issue public declarations about
their values, creating an image of innocence before anyone has even accused
them. It is a remarkable strategy: build
the shield first, then claim persecution whenever someone points to the cracks.
Cheapness
This is where cheapness reveals its true nature. It is not
measured by money, status, education, or professional achievements. A person may hold prestigious degrees,
occupy respected positions, and receive public admiration, yet still display
astonishing moral poverty. Academic excellence cannot compensate for
ethical failure. Professional success
cannot erase personal misconduct. Intelligence does not automatically
produce character.
Perhaps the cheapest act of all is the victim card. It
requires no courage, no self-reflection, and no accountability. It merely
demands the ability to reverse the narrative. Suddenly, the person who caused
harm becomes the injured party. The individual seeking answers becomes the
aggressor. Facts become attacks. Accountability becomes harassment. Truth becomes
an inconvenience.
History is full of examples of people who spent more energy
protecting their image than improving their character. Their greatest fear was never being wrong; it was being seen as wrong.
As a result, they built fortresses of excuses, denials, and carefully crafted
public relations exercises.
Yet there is a fundamental flaw in every strategy built on
deception. It assumes that perception is
more important than reality. It assumes that if enough people believe a story,
the truth ceases to exist. But reality has a stubborn quality. It does not
disappear simply because someone writes a declaration, creates a policy, or
publishes a statement. Facts remain facts.
Levels of
Cheapness
Cheapness has no levels because once integrity is abandoned,
there is no natural stopping point. The person who lies to avoid embarrassment
may later lie to avoid consequences. The person who manipulates perceptions may
later manipulate people. The person who hides behind false identities may
eventually hide behind false narratives. The behavior evolves, but the
principle remains the same: self-preservation at any cost.
In the end,
character is not revealed by public statements. It is
revealed by private actions. It is not measured by titles, achievements, or
declarations of virtue. It is measured
by what a person does when no audience is watching and no applause is
available.
The
truly unfortunate reality is that some people spend years building impressive
careers while neglecting the far more difficult task of building integrity. And
when integrity is absent, no amount of prestige can conceal the cheapness
beneath the surface.
Cheapness has no levels. It only has opportunities.
Sometimes
I feel grateful for difficult experiences because they reveal truths that might
otherwise remain hidden. Encounters with people who choose anonymity over
honesty often provide valuable lessons about character, boundaries, and
self-respect. Looking back, I can only be thankful that certain realities
became visible before they had the opportunity to shape my future.
What I find most surprising is that some individuals who maintain respectable
public images are willing to behave very differently when protected by
anonymity. Social media has made it possible for people to conceal their
identities while engaging in conduct they would likely never display openly.
The contrast between public reputation and private behavior can be striking.
Over time, I have developed little patience for those who rely on pseudonyms,
fake profiles, or hidden identities to communicate in ways they would not dare
to under their real names. Accountability begins with transparency. When a
person chooses concealment over honesty, it often says more about their
character than any public achievement ever could.
An interesting pattern emerges when such behavior is questioned. Rather than
addressing the concerns directly, some people prefer silence, avoidance, or the
support of others to shield themselves from accountability.
While
every person is entitled to their privacy, accountability ultimately remains a
personal responsibility.
If the purpose of such conduct was to demonstrate success, influence, or
superiority, it achieves precisely the opposite. Achievements, titles, and
professional accomplishments are meaningful only when accompanied by integrity.
Without
integrity, even the most impressive résumé appears incomplete.
I sincerely hope that anyone who engages in such conduct reflects upon the
impact of their actions and chooses a better path. Respect, honesty, and
accountability remain far more valuable than any temporary comfort provided by
anonymity.
As for me, I believe that facts eventually speak for themselves. When necessary,
appropriate channels exist to address misconduct, and evidence has a way of
becoming relevant at the right time. Until then, I remain focused on truth,
self-respect, and moving forward.
May God save them if
they attempt to harass anyone next time.
I hope to expose the truth one day, as I have retained ample evidence. If required, I will pursue the matter through the appropriate cybercrime and legal channels.
For now, continue to hide behind anonymity if you wish. A masked identity may conceal a face, but it cannot conceal responsibility forever.
I sincerely hope no other woman has to endure the same kind of behaviour in the future.
SWETA
SARANGI
ALL RIGHTS
RESERVED
11-06-2026
