First Deserve, Then Desire
I. Introduction
II. Significance of deserving before desiring
a. Promotion and recognition requires proven ability
b. Consistent efforts needed for academic excellence
c. Leadership demands competence, not mere popularity
d. Trust and respect in society calls for character building and discipline
III. Consequences/repercussions of reversing the principle
a. Entitlement culture and nepotism
b. Decline of institutions
c. Frustration and failures
IV. Real-life examples from the lives of people who first deserved, then desired
a. Malala Yousafzai fought for girls’ education – earned global fame
b. Abdul Sattar Edhi dedicated his life for the service of mankind
c. Mother Teresa and her compassionate services to the poor
d. Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan – ensured strategic balance in South Asia
e. Dr. Ruth Pfau – dedicated over 50 years fighting leprosy in Pakistan
V. Strategies to deserve before desire
a. Self-assessment and skill-building
b. Patience, perseverance, and planning
c. Need for systematic reforms and merit-based appointments
VI. Conclusion
“Do not wish for success, work for it.”
This short and striking statement captures the heart of a principle that has echoed through centuries of human wisdom: one must earn before they yearn. In a world driven by competition, accountability, and excellence, the idea of “First Deserve, Then Desire” stands as an unshakable truth. It teaches us that aspirations without effort are hollow, and ambitions without ability are delusions. Just as a seed cannot demand fruit before taking root and surviving the seasons, a person cannot rightfully expect reward, recognition, or success without first proving their worth through dedication, merit, and integrity.
In every sphere of life — whether personal, academic, professional, or social — deserving something precedes desiring it. The notion may sound simple on the surface, but it penetrates deeply into the moral fabric of society and the psychology of human progress. The emphasis here is not merely on wishing or dreaming, but on building the capabilities and credentials that justify such dreams. As the old saying goes, “God helps those who help themselves.” This timeless idiom reinforces that success is not granted to the idle dreamer, but to the relentless doer.
Take, for instance, the workplace. Promotions and recognition are not (or should not be) handed out based on personal charm or favoritism, but on the ability to perform, deliver, and lead. A person who lacks the experience or work ethic, yet demands leadership, will likely drive any institution into chaos. It is only fair — and professionally sustainable — that acknowledgment is tied to proven competence. In the academic realm as well, students often desire high grades, scholarships, or prestigious universities. Yet, without consistent effort, discipline, and sleepless nights spent in pursuit of excellence, those desires evaporate into disappointment. You reap what you sow — a golden rule of life that applies without exception.
Similarly, in leadership, the consequences of reversing this principle are both glaring and grievous. Throughout history and even today, societies have suffered when individuals unqualified for positions of power have seized them through connections, wealth, or manipulation. Leadership demands more than mere popularity or slogans; it requires vision, wisdom, and a deep-rooted understanding of responsibility. When unworthy individuals climb the ladder of power, the end result is often disarray, disillusionment, and societal regression.
Character, too, must be earned. Respect in society is not given freely to anyone who simply craves it. It is earned through years of honest dealing, personal integrity, and a commitment to higher values. Trust, once lost, is like shattered glass; difficult to piece back together. Therefore, desiring a good name or admiration from others must be preceded by sincere efforts at character building and ethical discipline.
When people forget or ignore this principle, the repercussions ripple across every layer of life. One major consequence is the rise of an entitlement culture — where people believe they deserve rewards, positions, or praise simply for existing, not for working. Nepotism is another byproduct, especially in developing societies, where merit is frequently overlooked in favor of personal connections. The result? Talented individuals are overlooked, mediocrity rises, and the public loses faith in systems and institutions. Moreover, when desires remain unfulfilled due to a lack of real deservingness, frustration, resentment, and psychological burnout are common outcomes. People begin blaming external forces while ignoring their own lack of preparation or discipline.
Real life offers ample examples of individuals who followed the golden rule of “First Deserve, Then Desire” and in turn, transformed not only their own lives but also made lasting contributions to the world. Malala Yousafzai, for instance, is not globally respected simply because she desired fame or attention. She earned it. As a young girl who dared to stand up for education under the threat of terrorism, she displayed remarkable courage and purpose. Her determination to fight for girls’ education — even after being shot — made her deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize and international admiration. She paid the price in courage, sacrifice, and persistence.
Another towering figure is Abdul Sattar Edhi — Pakistan’s greatest humanitarian. He never chased after fame or fortune. Instead, he quietly dedicated his entire life to the service of the poor, the sick, and the abandoned. Starting with a small van and a big heart, he built one of the largest volunteer ambulance services in the world. He didn’t desire recognition — he deserved it through lifelong selflessness. He is remembered not because he wished to be, but because he earned a place in the hearts of millions.
Similarly, Mother Teresa spent decades serving the dying, the diseased, and the abandoned in the slums of Calcutta. She never claimed greatness — her greatness lay in her silent service and empathy. Her compassion was not a desire, but a reality she built brick by brick through hard work and sacrifice. The world respected her because her work touched lives in the most profound ways. Her example proves that when one dedicates oneself entirely to a noble cause, rewards follow naturally — not because they are demanded, but because they are deserved.
Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan’s work in Pakistan’s nuclear program is another telling example. Through tireless scientific effort, secrecy, and courage, he ensured strategic balance in South Asia. He did not campaign for status or wealth — instead, he worked in silence for the national interest. When the time came, the nation saluted him because he had earned that respect through intellectual might and patriotic zeal. The same can be said for Dr. Ruth Pfau, a German-born nun and physician, who spent over fifty years fighting leprosy in Pakistan. She chose a life of hardship, far from her homeland, to serve those whom society had rejected. Her reward was not money or title, but the love and prayers of a healed nation.
All of these lives remind us that recognition without effort is short-lived, while effort without expectation often leads to lasting legacy. Success without sweat is often superficial, while success rooted in service and sacrifice is permanent. This aligns beautifully with the Qur’anic truth: “And that man shall have nothing but what he strives for” (Surah An-Najm, 53:39). No one is entitled to reward unless they earn it. Desires mean little in the divine balance unless backed by genuine struggle.
However, desiring something the right way is not wrong — the problem arises when desire outpaces effort. That’s where the gap between aspiration and achievement begins to widen. In order to bridge that gap, one must adopt certain strategies. First among them is self-assessment. One must look inward to identify strengths and weaknesses. Without knowing where you stand, how can you move forward? Skill-building is the next logical step — in an age where knowledge and technology evolve daily, those who fail to update themselves will be left behind. As the idiom goes, “Sharpen your axe before you cut the tree.”
Patience and perseverance are other necessary ingredients. The road to deservingness is not paved with ease. There will be failures, delays, and doubts. But as the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Staying the course, even when things look dim, is what separates the winners from the wishers. Moreover, smart planning turns dreams into blueprints. Without a clear roadmap, even the most passionate effort can get lost in confusion.
Beyond personal responsibility, there is also a collective need for systemic reforms. Merit-based systems should replace outdated patronage models in public service, education, and corporate leadership. If we expect society to reward deserving people, we must first ensure that systems exist which can recognize and promote them. Otherwise, we risk losing our brightest minds to discouragement and injustice.
In conclusion, the principle of “First Deserve, Then Desire” is not just a proverb — it is a philosophy of life. It promotes fairness, excellence, and personal responsibility. It demands that we build the foundation before expecting the roof. It encourages action over complaint, preparation over wishful thinking. Whether in the classroom or the courtroom, the office or the parliament, the heart of progress lies in this truth: before you desire success, become worthy of it. Let our ambitions be guided by effort, our dreams fueled by discipline, and our destinations earned through real devotion. For only those who sow with sincerity will one day harvest greatness.
📍 English Language Educator | Blogger & Content Strategist | 7+ Years in Educational Blogging
Nosheen Bashir is a dedicated English teacher and experienced blogger with over seven years of expertise in content creation and educational writing. Passionate about language, literature, and effective communication, she combines her teaching experience with blogging skills to create insightful, research-backed content that helps learners and educators alike.
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