Pride Overpowers Empathy, Civility


Jan 12 , 2025
By Eden Sahle


Last weekend, my family and I set out for a simple visit to relatives in the Old Airport neighbourhood. What should have been a routine trip quickly turned into a harsh reminder of the decline in civility and respect within the society.

The incident began innocently enough. As we parked near our relative’s home, a man in another car reversed recklessly, nearly hitting a family member who had come to greet us. The close call startled us. My husband and I sat in silence, processing what had happened.



A relative stepped forward to point out the driver’s mistake. Instead of apologising, the man exploded with anger. His reaction was not just defensive but hostile, laced with insults. He accused us of arrogance, assuming the issue was about the car we drove or our youth. We were stunned but decided not to escalate the situation and quietly entered the house.

Minutes later, my husband went back to the car to retrieve our daughter's diaper bag. What he found left us reeling: our new vehicle had been vandalised. Long, deep scratches marred the back of the car, clearly inflicted with a sharp object.

Witnesses confirmed that the culprit was the same man who had nearly caused the earlier incident. This was no accident. It was a deliberate act of spite.

The damage was devastating, both emotionally and financially. Repairs cost us tens of thousands, compounded by the unavailability of materials locally. The actions of a man in his late fifties, an age that should come with wisdom and maturity, revealed something far darker: a complete disregard for others and the principles that uphold a community.

This man’s behaviour was not just disappointing; it reflected a troubling societal decay. The inability to take responsibility for one’s actions, the prioritisation of pride over reason, and the use of malice to settle trivial grievances point to a deeper problem.

A healthy society relies on shared values such as kindness, accountability, and respect. These principles serve as the glue that holds communities together, allowing conflicts to be resolved constructively. Yet, incidents like this show how easily these foundations can crumble when individuals abandon empathy and reason for anger and ego.

At its core, this incident reflected a clash between accountability and pride. A simple apology for the near-accident could have resolved everything. Instead, the man chose to escalate, first with words, then with actions.

Anger and pride are destructive forces. They cloud judgment and lead to behaviour with far-reaching consequences. His irresponsible actions didn’t just damage a car; they damaged trust, respect, and the sense of community that holds people together.

Accountability is a cornerstone of any functioning society. It ties individuals to their actions and ensures that mistakes are addressed constructively.

When people reject accountability, they harm not only themselves but also the trust within the communities. A society without accountability fosters resentment, alienation, and chaos.

Every action, whether good or bad, creates a ripple effect. The driver’s decision to vandalise a car did not just cost us financially, it left us questioning his mindset. It was a reminder of how bitterness can overshadow reason, and how one person’s hostility can impact others profoundly.

What made the incident even more disheartening was the man’s age. In his late fifties, he should have embodied maturity and wisdom. But maturity isn’t about age. It’s about acting responsibly, resolving conflicts with grace, and prioritising the greater good over personal pride.

When older generations fail to set an example, they erode the very values they should pass down. It raises a troubling question: if maturity cannot be expected from those in their later years, where does that leave younger generations seeking role models?



This incident is a reminder that rebuilding societal values starts with individuals. While people cannot control others’ actions, they can control how they respond and what values they choose to uphold.

Accountability is the foundation of a healthy society. When people take responsibility, whether through apologies or making amends, they restore trust and strengthen communities.

In a better society, the initial encounter would have ended differently. A mistake would have been met with an apology, turning a tense moment into an opportunity for connection. Instead, pride and hostility escalated it into something unnecessarily destructive.

A sincere apology for his mistake could have diffused the situation entirely, replacing animosity with understanding.

Open and respectful communication prevents misunderstandings from becoming conflicts. Dialogue fosters understanding and leads to constructive solutions.

At any age, people must model the behaviors they wish to see. Acts of kindness, humility, and accountability inspire others to do the same.

The scratches on our car will eventually disappear, but the lessons remain. While people cannot change others, they can change themselves. By committing to accountability, empathy, and respect, they can be the change they wish to see.

In every action, one is making a choice. Do they let anger, pride, and irresponsibility define them? Or do they rise above them and work to rebuild a culture of respect and decency?

Everyday actions matter. Every act of kindness, every moment of accountability, and every effort to understand someone else brings people closer to a society where stories like this become rare.



PUBLISHED ON Jan 12,2025 [ VOL 25 , NO 1289]



Eden Sahle is founder and CEO of Yada Technology Plc. She has studied law with a focus on international economic law. She can be reached at edensah2000@gmail.com.





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