The Secret of Success

Excellence Born of Responsibility

In a letter published in the Daily Qaumi Awaz (April 21, 1991), Mr Mushtaq Ahmad, an advocate of the Supreme Court of India, reflected on the attitude of minorities. He recalled an incident narrated by Mr Iftikhar Ahmad Khan, former Head of the Department of History at Aligarh Muslim University, from his student days at Cambridge University.

At that time, Jews across Europe were facing severe persecution and had been forced to flee Germany. Mr Iftikhar Ahmad noticed a group of Jewish students who stood apart on campus. They ate hurriedly and returned immediately to their studies, working with intense focus.

When asked about their urgency, one student replied:
“We are Jews. Our people are being exterminated in Germany. Here we are a minority. If our rivals are fair, we must be good; if they are good, we must be excellent.”

The Culture of Excellence

This statement reveals a profound truth: the secret of success lies in making excellence a way of life. The Jews understood that minority status brought with it a greater social and historical responsibility. To fulfil that responsibility, they believed they had to work harder than others.

Real concentration and sustained effort require freedom from constant agitation. One must stay away from disputes, protest campaigns, slogan-raising, and the habit of blaming others for one’s shortcomings. Excellence demands calmness, patience, and self-discipline.

Hard Work in a Competitive World

This world is a world of competition. No one is exempt from this reality. Success does not depend on belonging to a particular community, nor on seeking concessions. It depends solely on hard work combined with wisdom.

Every individual must pass through the same testing ground. Those who expect special treatment will inevitably lag behind, while those who strive for excellence will move ahead.

Raising Standards, Not Lowering Them

The Jews are particularly strict in maintaining high standards, even within their own institutions. They make no concessions to their youth, ensuring that the incentive to work hard is never weakened.

An academic familiar with American universities once explained that Jewish institutions often set tougher criteria for their own students than for others. While non-Jewish applicants might qualify for scholarships with lower marks, Jewish applicants were required to meet much higher standards. This policy, though it may appear harsh, instils discipline and ambition, compelling young people to give their very best.

The Price of Success

In today’s competitive world, those who seek ease and concessions will always remain behind. Only those who are willing to pay the price of excellence—through sustained effort, self-control, and perseverance—will rise to the forefront.

The true secret of success is not privilege, protest, or complaint, but a lifelong commitment to excellence.

Source: Simple Wisdom 
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