It has been said that nice guys finish last, and while there can indeed be some truth in that statement, such must also come with some important caveats. For instance, in general, being civil one to another, is beneficial for societies, as well as in personal relations, for life has enough troubles of its own, that we need not add to it, unless there be some good justification, so of. Further to the point, when we are considerate one to another, this signifies that our word really is our bond, which thereby makes for interactions that are more conducive to being on-going, because of the implicit trust so created. Finally, when we are nice to one another, it’s easier to live with ourselves, knowing that we are not the one to have created unnecessary drama and dissension.
It does hurt when someone takes advantage of us, isn’t nice to us, betrays us, cheats us, and all similar things of that ilk; and while it might so appear, at least initially, as if those not so nice people have gotten away with something to our dismay and disadvantage, it is important to note that the full story is not over until it has been completely written. Those that aren’t nice and are deceptive, may indeed find profit from that mindset, but alas, a cheat has to continually find other credulous people to cheat in order to continue to benefit, and when the well for them runs dry, they are therefore forced to deal with people of which their reputation precedes them, and because these people, though nice, are properly wary, they are then far less likely to fall for that which has worked successfully, previously. So too, when a cheating person, is left trying to “get over” on those that are cheaters as well, the game becomes a lot more problematic to win at.
Those that are nice, and give the benefit of the doubt to all people, at least initially, are treating people in the manner that they so desire to be treated. On the other hand, those that are underhanded and devious, mask who they really are, in order to have success through their deceit, but often find it well-nigh impossible to not be unmasked, themselves, at some point, and once so exposed, life gets a lot harsher for them, for when people have to be constantly on-guard it is exhausting; in addition to the uncomfortable truth that most people resist being with someone of bad or questionable character, so then, for these not so nice people, good friends are few and far between.
To be nice is not to be a pushover, it is rather a characteristic of those that prefer to live in an environment of mutual respect and mutual aid. Many people have little or no issue with helping someone down on their luck, that they respect, and many more are quite willing to help and to aid those that are taking their first important steps into the real world, for often those that are perceived as being nice, are also likeable, and those that people like, produce a strong inclination for other people to want to encourage and to do their part to help them, so that these nice people therefore finish the race where they are meant to finish it.