The solution to vindictiveness is forgiveness. People always have the capacity to change, therefore, when one has been wronged, one must forgive instead of holding a grudge. Spite is a poison not only to others but to yourself as well; revenge is a double-edged sword.

Integrity is the ability to take the path less traveled – to forgive than to brood over grievances. Integrity is stoicism in the face of criticism; the virtue of doing the right thing even when it is difficult. To have integrity is to be sagely even when your good is perceived as evil. Integrity is a lonely path and one that is so so so easy to turn away from.

But why should one be virtuous when it is so much easier to become a hedonistic swine? Simply, because if you don't, you have not only betrayed humanity but have also betrayed yourself. If one cannot even be true to themselves then they are not a human but a beast. The greatest thing we own is not our wealth, not our health, not even our family – the greatest thing we own is our humanity, for without it, we are but lost souls.

Choosing to struggle when offered abundance is what reminds us, we are human. Through struggle, we find peace.