By Tupuola Terry Tavita

They say corruption is driven by two powerful forces.

Incentive and fear.

It is the same two forces that motivates and compel us to make important decisions every day.

Incentive, in terms of ‘what’s in it for me’, and, the fear of possible negative repercussions of that decision on one’s livelihood.

Whether it is within government, the church, the private sector or non-profit organization, leaders who operate on the principle of self interest and personal gain thrive on corrupt practices while their officers, driven by self-preservation and the fear to their livelihoods, gladly turn a blind eye. This allows corruption to fester.

Is not the love of glory, the fear of disgrace, the desire to live in excessive comfort and the instinct to humiliate others often the cause of corruption, the French writer Francois La Rochefoucauld lamented?

But there is another more powerful force that is above personal gain, self aggrandizement and fear.

Great leaders like Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther-King, Gandhi and the Mau leader Tupua Tamesese Lealofi III had it. More recently, Pope Benedict XVI, as we have seen, has it. Tuilaepa also has it.

It is conscience.

It is a character borne of hope, strong faith and principle.

It is about putting the livelihood and betterment of others above and beyond one’s petty self-interests and fears. It is about being fair, being accountable and to truly love your country and your people.

Crooks have many friends, the righteous man will forever be loathed by his enemies. But he will always be respected. While a crook’s friends feed off his ambitions and move on, the righteous man will be followed to the grave by those of similar ilk. His legacy will live forever.

Bring forth the righteous man in this wicked city and we will all be saved.

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