Somebody Always Pays The Price

We never pause to consider the consequences of our actions. We only think of the immediate ones. Not the second-order effects. Certainly not the third-order, cascading ones. We want to benefit at all costs. We construct narratives that serve us. Instead of weighing the outcomes of our actions thoroughly. The worst part is the justification we offer ourselves. If everyone's doing it, what's the point of my goodness? And what does it matter? It doesn't mean much. That's how corruption takes hold. That's how unethical behaviour takes root and festers into a malady. That's how every wrong in the world takes shape. It always starts with cutting corners. Letting go of the small thing. Somebody always pays the price. A road contractor can cut corners by using inferior materials. He thinks, what does it matter, I'll rebuild the road again. Or worse, it's just a road. But a lot can happen on a badly constructed road. An ambulance can get stuck, costing an innocent life. An accident can happen…