a properly executed crime

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Generally, if uncertainly, attributed to Honoré de Balzac (1799 – 1850), the line is still interesting in its force: "Behind every great fortune, there is a great crime."

Whether or not Balzac wrote those exact and more pithy words, he did write in "Le Père Goriot" "The secret of a great success for which you are at a loss to account is a crime that has never been found out, because it was properly executed."

A properly executed crime -- one whose particulars remain hidden -- wreathes the success in unassailable light. I think that is probably true, but I don't think it's a good idea for individuals to fall prey such much-accepted activity.

I don't mean that anyone would want to run around raining on every available parade, playing the cynic and pessimist. I do mean that good things carry less-glorifiable elements and that those elements deserve attention and care.

Yin and yang are not just some symbol on a Chinese restaurant. They are the way of the world and failure to accord with the way of the world is bound to encourage uncertainty and sadness.

Success -- yes. Examine it.
Failure -- yes. Examine it.

Where is the resting place of all the pros and cons?
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