Article July 2, 1984 Issue

If it's not right, don't go along with it

VIRGINIA T. GUFFIN

Many people believe that only by unscrupulous practices, by cheating a little here and cutting off somebody there, can you get ahead in business. If we think this is a new problem, we'll find that Job's lament indicates that it's ancient: "Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof. They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a pledge."^{Job 24:2, 3.}

The temptation to go along with such practices as a matter of survival in business may be strong. But it cannot compel one who is honest and loves his neighbor as himself to believe that real success can come this way. He accepts unequivocally the truth of Mrs. Eddy's warning in Science and Health: "Let it be understood that success in error is defeat in Truth."^{Science and Health, p. 239.}

Sometimes questionable or unethical practices begin early in one's experience—before he has developed a strong sense of integrity. Also there are people who are usually honest but who get caught up in practices that are not strictly open and above-board. They may even be unaware that underhanded dealings are going on. But if they are students of Christian Science, studying the Lesson-Sermon^{In the Christian Science Quarterly.} from the Bible and Science and Health daily, and praying and striving to live in accord with the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount, the wrongdoing will surely be uncovered.