The Misunderstood Villain: How 'Bad Guys' Achieve Extraordinary Success
The Misunderstood Villain: How 'Bad Guys' Achieve Extraordinary Success
What if the true heroes of history are actually the villains we’ve been taught to despise?
Dear unlearners,
You might be wondering why I'm calling you "unlearners." Well, it's simple. To truly grow, we often need to unlearn what we think we know. And today, we are going to unlearn:
Our perception of villains.
I've got a confession to make. All my life, I've had a soft spot for the bad guys. My favorite characters in movies and stories have rarely been the heroes. I'd find myself quietly rooting for the villains, baffled when they inevitably lost.
As we'll see, the line between hero and villain isn't as clear as we might think, and there's much to learn from those society labels as the antagonists.
The truth is, the line between heroes and villains is often determined by which side of history you're on. Everyone can be a hero from the perspective of the winner. Everyone is the hero of their own story.
History is full of examples of this blurred line. Take Genghis Khan, for instance. To the West, he was a brutal conqueror. But to Mongolians, he's a revered national hero who united warring tribes and created one of the world's largest empires.
Or consider Napoleon Bonaparte. To some, he's a tyrant; to others, a liberator. His ambition reshaped Europe, leaving a lasting impact on law, education, and military strategy. When I asked French people who their dream dinner guest would be, half answered Napoleon.
"History is written by the victors." - Winston Churchill
In real life, villains are usually more successful. Life is not a fairytale. The strongest, most hard-working who manage to stick around the longest usually win. Their path is often lonely and fraught with moral compromises, but it's also a path of decisive action, unwavering self-belief, and relentless pursuit of goals. We often paint them in a bad light, ignoring their contributions to society because we want their success without the sacrifices. They are the misunderstood villains.
Growing up, I found myself oddly drawn to the works of Han Fei Tzu and Machiavelli. As a kid, I struggled through "The Prince" and Han Fei's writings, often feeling lost in their complex ideas. Even now, years later, I'm still working to truly grasp their philosophies.
Han Fei's Legalism advocated for strict laws and harsh punishments to maintain order.
Machiavelli's "The Prince" famously argued that rulers should be willing to act immorally for the greater good. At first glance, their ideas seemed cruel and calculating.
"It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both." - Niccolò Machiavelli
Yet, these ancient thoughts have stood the test of time. Modern leaders like Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's founding father, openly admired and applied Machiavellian principles. Under his rule, Singapore transformed from a poor colony to a global financial hub. In China, Deng Xiaoping's pragmatic reforms echo Han Fei's focus on law and institutions over personal rule.
These real-world successes show the enduring power of these philosophies. When applied wisely, they've led to stability, economic growth, and effective governance. It's a reminder that sometimes, the ideas that seem harshest on paper can yield the most practical results in reality.
Villains don't complain, they take action
While heroes often wait for the perfect moment or divine intervention, villains create opportunities. They don't waste time complaining about their circumstances or waiting for things to change. Instead, they go after what they want, right or wrong.
This action-oriented mindset often requires making difficult choices that others might view negatively. Take Macbeth, for instance. His ambition led him to murder, but it also led him to the throne. Shakespeare shows us Macbeth's inner struggle, but also his unstoppable drive to succeed.
Another example is Gordon Gekko in Wall Street. His "greed is good" philosophy, while morally questionable, drove his financial success. Gekko's character, inspired by real-life figures like Ivan Boesky, embodies the cutthroat nature of 1980s Wall Street. His actions, though controversial, sparked important discussions about business ethics.
"The point is, ladies and gentleman, that greed, for lack of a better word, is good." - Gordon Gekko
Villains work extremely hard to make their vision reality
Once they set their sights on a goal, villains pour everything they have into achieving it. They don't shy away from long hours, difficult tasks, or daunting challenges. Their work ethic is often unmatched.
This relentless pursuit of their vision is a quality we could all learn from. Success rarely comes without significant effort, and villains seem to understand this better than most.
Our modern-day villain, Jeff Bezos, is a prime example. Known for his intense work ethic, Bezos would reportedly work 12-hour days, seven days a week in Amazon's early days. He's known for his relentless focus on customer satisfaction, often at the expense of employee comfort.
Villains don't give up until the last second
Persistence is perhaps one of the most admirable traits of any villain. Where heroes might falter in the face of adversity, villains push through, adapting their plans and trying new approaches. They don’t need a fairy god mother to come and save them.
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” - Calvin Coolidge
This never-say-die attitude often separates the successful from the rest. It's not about never failing. It's about never staying down.
Consider historical figures like Galileo or Ignaz Semmelweis.
Galileo, facing the Inquisition, refused to renounce his belief that the Earth revolved around the sun. Even under house arrest, he continued his scientific work, laying the groundwork for modern physics.
Semmelweis, a Hungarian physician, advocated for hand-washing in hospitals to prevent the spread of puerperal fever. His ideas were ridiculed and rejected by the medical community of his time. Despite facing intense opposition and even losing his job, Semmelweis continued to push for his beliefs. Today, he's recognized as a pioneer of antiseptic procedures.
Villains always believe in themselves even when nobody would
Perhaps the most powerful trait of any "villain" is their unwavering belief in themselves. Even when the odds seem insurmountable and everyone has turned against them, they maintain faith in their abilities and vision.
This self-belief isn't just confidence. It's a deep-seated conviction that they are the masters of their own destiny. It's a quality that, when applied to positive goals, can drive incredible achievement and innovation. Look at Elon Musk. Many view him as our modern-day villain, but his extreme self-belief has driven his success with Tesla and SpaceX.
Musk's journey with Tesla shows this perfectly. When he said he'd make electric cars for everyone, most experts laughed. Big car companies and oil firms said it wouldn't work. But Musk believed in his idea so much, he bet his own money on it. Now, Tesla has changed how we think about cars. Every major car maker is rushing to catch up, all because Musk refused to give up on his dream.
Villains are willing to make moral compromises
Often, great success requires making difficult choices that others might view negatively. Villains seem to understand this better than most. They're willing to make the hard calls, to do what others won't, in pursuit of their goals.
In the real world, we see this in figures like Steve Jobs. While he's often hailed as a visionary, many accounts paint him as ruthless and difficult to work with. Yet, this uncompromising nature was key to Apple's groundbreaking success.
Jobs was known for being tough and brutally honest. He often pushed people hard, sometimes too hard. But this same drive led Apple to create products that changed our world. What some saw as being too harsh, Jobs saw as necessary to achieve greatness. He shook up an industry that didn't like change. People criticized his methods until they saw the results. Now, we can't imagine life without the innovations Apple brought us.
"Your time is limited, don't waste it living someone else's life." - Steve Jobs
I strongly believe in the importance of being ethical in life, but I can't help admiring these "villain" traits. Their determination, self-reliance, and unshakeable belief are powerful tools. When used for good, these qualities can help us overcome almost anything. As we've seen, history's "villains" often made significant contributions to society, while some "heroes" have darker sides to their legacies.
Moreover, we must remember that today's heroes might become tomorrow's villains when the truth catches up to “history.” Time has a way of exposing uncomfortable truths. Figures like Christopher Columbus, once celebrated for his explorations, are now scrutinized for their roles in colonization, while Thomas Jefferson's legacy is complicated by his ownership of slaves. Even Gandhi and Mother Teresa, long considered saintly figures, aren't immune to modern scrutiny. This reminds us that the labels of "hero" and "villain" are often more complex than they appear.
Maybe it's time to rethink what makes a hero. Is it better to wait for the perfect moment, or to make that moment happen? Should we aim to please everyone, or follow our vision even when others doubt us?
Remember how I admitted to rooting for the villains at the beginning? Well, there's more to that story….
When I was a child, I didn't just root for villains – I wanted to be one. My dream career? A pirate. I read every book I could find about life at sea. I even reached out to a ship's captain to teach me the ropes.
Looking back, it's clear that I have a passion for villainy. This has shaped who I am today and the voice of my writing. My AI copyeditor constantly nags me about my cynical tone, but I just can't bring myself to soften it. After all, what's a former aspiring pirate without a little bite in their words?
The lesson here isn't to become a villain, but to learn from their strengths. Next time you watch a movie or read a book, pay attention to the villain. You might just pick up some tips for success from the "dark side." After all, every great story needs a compelling antagonist – and sometimes, they just happen to have the best advice.
"You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain." - Harvey Dent
In the end, you're the hero of your own story. But don't be afraid to borrow a page from the villain's playbook now and then. Just remember to use your powers for good or at least, for the greater good. Machiavelli would be proud.
And who knows? Maybe being the villain isn't so bad after all. At least they have more fun, and often, better outfits.
As for me, I may have traded my pirate dreams for a keyboard, but my pirate past lives on in every snarky sentence I write. Arrr, matey!
Until tomorrow, don't create too much trouble.
More to Unlearn - A Villiant Guide To Life
Why I Lie, Cheat, Steal And Kill, And You Should Too
If You Want to Be Successful, Learn How to Steal
Why Just Being Positive Is Bad