In business, greatness and the jerk habit often go side by side. Mark Zuckerberg now travels on the path set up by Bill Gates (he stole and lied with impunity) and Steve Jobs (a bully at workplace). The CEO/Superstar culture is fertile ground for all-around, two-faced jerks.

In politics, people will rub familiy, friends and colleagues the wrong way, at least once in their life. Even the great Gandhi pissed off his son.

In sports, Tiger Woods and Michale Vick are but latest entries in Sportstar Hall of Jerks. But then, you also have decent, down-to-earth types such as Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid or VVS Laxman (all Indian cricketers). But, these instances are rare. Quick money reveals our true characters. The conditions in other entertainment industries, where chances of making quick money are similar to the sports business, are similar.

In science, for every Fred Hoyle, you have the likes of the genial Einstein and the funny Feynman. In science, it seems, you can be great without being a jerk.

That is also true for normal life. Decent, great people around us make us hopeful about life on a daily basis - starting with our parents who will take the crowded subway so that we could attend pricey colleges.

Also read this: Can you be a great man?

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