Trading Hustle for Holiness: Seeking True Success in New York’s Hustle Culture

Machiavelli’s principles and philosophy of prioritizing cunning, manipulation, and power over ethics had an enormous influence on New York’s culture beginning with the rise of the Mafia and industrialization in the early 20th century. This way of thinking not only solidified the mafia’s power within the criminal underworld but also introduced a philosophy that would permeate New York’s broader culture for generations to come. As New York continued to grow as a melting pot, welcoming people from every corner of the world, this ethos of strategic manipulation and ruthless pragmatism quietly wove itself into the city’s social fabric, influencing not just a certain group but people of all races and cultures. Many soon found themselves having to adapt to the city’s cutthroat, high-stakes environment to survive. Ambition was often fueled by a need to “make it” against steep odds, leading many to adopt a cautious, sometimes guarded approach in their interactions — one that valued practicality and resilience over openness or communal loyalty. As these mindsets were passed down through generations, they became cultural habits, shaping how people of different backgrounds interacted within their communities and beyond. For example, many families began to prioritize success in ways that aligned with New York’s competitive culture, often teaching their children to “do what it takes” to secure a good future. In this environment, it wasn’t uncommon for people to feel that cultivating a strong, strategic facade was essential to get ahead, even if it meant sacrificing authentic relationships or personal integrity. 

   Over the decades, as the Mafia’s influence in New York diminished, this Machiavellian mindset found new hosts in other high-stakes arenas, especially on Wall Street and within powerful social circles. In the corporate world, leaders and executives often felt compelled to use the same tactics to survive the intense competition. For many, success in New York required ruthlessly “playing the game” — manipulating appearances, making strategic alliances, and prioritizing personal advancement over ethical considerations. As in the Mafia, the path to power and prestige in the corporate world rewarded those who could set aside traditional values and operate with a kind of moral flexibility. Whether in law, media, or finance, the Machiavellian mindset that had taken hold in New York’s elite circles trickled down and adapted to various industries. People from diverse cultures and communities found themselves adopting similar tactics, not out of malice, but out of a perceived necessity to succeed in a city that seemed to reward calculated ambition over idealism. The underlying distrust, the sense that others might have hidden motives, and the need to protect oneself by projecting strength became a shared cultural feature. This perspective, once associated with New York’s elite and criminal underworld, had by now become a defense mechanism across communities, regardless of background. 

   This compromise is sometimes subtle, a gradual accommodation to survive in a fast-paced, demanding environment where self-promotion and individual achievement are paramount. Over time, however, these small adjustments can amount to a passive erosion of personal beliefs and values. Outwardly, people may project confidence and self-assurance, but inside, they may feel they’re betraying what truly matters to them. individuals outwardly appear tough and self-assured — projecting the “traditional New Yorker” image of resilience and bluntness. However, this toughness is often a defensive front, a way to avoid being taken advantage of in a high-stakes city that can feel both exhilarating and unforgiving. This gradual bending can become disorienting; what starts as a means to survive in a competitive environment can become an identity that distances individuals from their original values. People may not abandon their beliefs outright, but instead, they passively allow them to erode in the face of intense competition or the allure of visibility. In this environment, passivity doesn’t mean inaction — it means an unspoken, ongoing surrender to the pressure to conform, leaving people with a sense of alienation from both themselves and others. This paradox — being surrounded by others yet feeling profoundly lonely — is a direct result of the culture that prioritizes external toughness over internal integrity. Values like family, community, and faith, which traditionally helped anchor people to one another, have slowly been eroded by the unspoken pressures to conform to the city’s relentless demands. In a place where competition is king, many have learned to wear a mask of strength and assertiveness, concealing the vulnerability that comes with genuine connection. 

  The consequences of this mindset are far-reaching, leading to strained friendships, fractured family ties, and a profound sense of disconnection from others who don’t share the same worldview. The first, and perhaps most subtle, effect is that people raised with this mindset often find it difficult to trust others. Trust becomes something to be earned, not a given. In a world where self-interest reigns supreme, where emotional openness and vulnerability can be perceived as weaknesses, it’s hard to open up to others. Every interaction becomes a chess game, and even small gestures of kindness or camaraderie are viewed through a lens of suspicion. One might ask, What’s in it for them? A Machiavellian upbringing teaches you to question others’ motivations, and this skepticism often leads to a deep sense of isolation. If you’re constantly sizing up people for what they might be able to give you or take from you, you will never truly see them for who they are, and in turn, you are never seen for who you truly are.  

  Family dynamics can lose their warmth and security, transforming into a business-like environment. This business-like mentality creates an environment where emotional security is replaced by competition and fear of failure. The home, which should be a refuge from the world, becomes a high-pressure zone where a child is expected to “perform” just like any employee in the workplace. The warmth and nurturing typically associated with family life are replaced with a transactional approach — children begin to see themselves not as recipients of love but as agents in a deal. They may feel as though their worth is measured by how much they can contribute, and that when they fall short, they risk losing the emotional support they desperately need. Children, instead of seeing their parents as nurturing figures, begin to view them as taskmasters or overseers. Parents may become more like supervisors. This change perpetuates a cycle of unhealthy expectations. This not only stunts personal development but also breeds a culture of constant competition and comparison, where emotional well-being takes a backseat to achievement.  

   This disconnect is further exacerbated when it comes to building new relationships, especially with those who were not raised with the same mindset. A person raised with this passive-Machiavellian perspective may see others who are more open, trusting, or emotionally expressive as naïve or even vulnerable. This creates an emotional divide that makes bonding with others difficult, if not impossible. When someone raised with this attitude meets a new person who seems open, trusting, and emotionally expressive, they may feel uncomfortable, suspicious, or even contemptuous. Their internal narrative may be filled with doubts and judgment. How can they trust so easily? What are they hiding? Are they trying to manipulate me? Or even What are they selling? These questions echo in their mind, making it hard to connect authentically with others. The idea of being emotionally open feels not only foreign but dangerous. The stubborn refusal to engage in genuine emotional exchange becomes a failed act of self-preservation, because it cuts them off from the possibility of forming meaningful relationships. This internal struggle often leads to feelings of isolation and loneliness, even when surrounded by others. The individual may find themselves caught between wanting to connect with people but feeling too guarded or distrustful to allow real relationships to form. As the person retreats further into their shell, the stubborn attitude only intensifies, creating a barrier between themselves and the world around them. It’s a vicious cycle: the more they protect themselves, the more they distance themselves from authentic connections, and the more isolated they feel, and the more they feel like they need to protect themselves. 

  Children raised in Christian households often experience a powerful sense of moral grounding, familial support, and a deep sense of belonging in the church community. At home, they are taught to value love, sacrifice, humility, and service — all ideals rooted in the teachings of Christ. These are the values that their religious relatives emphasize. However, when these children step outside the doors of their homes and into the streets of New York — or the halls of their schools and workplaces — they enter a world where the principles they have been taught may seem at odds with the competitive Machiavelli passive philosophy in the city. The city’s relentless focus on individual achievement can clash with the Christian values of humility and community, leaving young people torn between two worlds: the values they were raised with and the pressures they face outside their homes. In school, where grades, performance, and reputation become paramount, students begin to learn that success often requires compromising on values. The pressures to “play the game” and outpace others can be overwhelming. Social media has also transformed how people present themselves to the world. Unlike previous generations, where personal interactions and relationships were largely face-to-face, today’s interactions are curated, polished, and often highly strategic. Social media platforms incentivize individuals to broadcast their best selves — to showcase achievements, experiences, and status in a way that signals success, popularity, and social power. This creates a kind of virtual hierarchy, where likes, comments, followers, and shares become the new measures of worth. Success and validation on these platforms are tied not to internal qualities but to external, quantifiable metrics. This obsession with external validation on social media mirrors the pressures found in school and work environments. In both realms, reputation and visibility are key, and the drive to outpace others often supersedes the desire for genuine connection or personal integrity. In school, for instance, students are not just competing for grades; they are competing for social status, clout, and peer recognition. The “top” students — the ones who are seen as the most successful — often employ similar tactics to those seen in the workplace: they charm teachers, play up their strengths, and hide weaknesses to maintain their position. This school hierarchy is a direct reflection of the competitive, survival-of-the-fittest mentality that characterizes the broader societal culture. Students learn early on that achieving success requires more than just doing well in class; it involves positioning themselves socially, currying favor with authority figures, and sometimes even undermining others to get ahead. It is not just about what you know but who knows you and how you are perceived. Those at the top of the school hierarchy often employ Machiavellian tactics. Young people begin to view their peers not as companions to grow with but as potential assets or steppingstones in their climb to the top. People may feel they are constantly performing or acting in order to remain accepted, which leads to a sense of emotional exhaustion and isolation, even if they are surrounded by people even when they are like minded. The constant need to “keep up” — both on social media and in real life — creates a society where everyone is playing a game, one that demands constant effort, vigilance, and sacrifice of true selfhood. It becomes exhausting to live up to the standards set by social media or the school hierarchy, and this is where the dangers of the Machiavellian approach begin to rear their head. 

   Later in life at work, this internal conflict only intensifies. As a young adult, the New York mindset begins to take a firmer hold. In the fast-paced, high-stakes environments of Wall Street, fashion, or the media industries, individuals quickly realize that compromising is even more required for success. In this environment, the Christian ideals of honesty, humility, and service can feel like liabilities rather than assets. This creates a deep sense of alienation. They may feel like they are living a double life: one where they strive to uphold their Christian values in their personal life and another where they feel compelled to embrace a more ruthless, self-serving approach to survive in the competitive New York environment. 

    For many, this internal tug-of-war leads to feelings of guilt, confusion, and isolation. They might feel they are betraying the values of their faith by participating in a system that demands personal sacrifice for the sake of ambition. This can lead to a lack of peace, as they struggle to reconcile their personal beliefs with the external pressures they face. This conflict between faith and the New York mindset often leads individuals to either compartmentalize their lives, creating a sharp divide between their religious beliefs and their professional or social lives, or to suppress their Christian values in favor of self-preservation. In either case, the result is the same: they become disconnected from the true purpose and peace that Christ offers. Instead of living authentically and integrating their beliefs into all areas of their life, they find themselves straddling two worlds.  

   While the New York mindset offers false protection and a temporary illusion of success, it is inherently flawed. It looks impressive at first and the reward may appear shiny, but when the storms of life inevitably come, it collapses under the weight of its own instability. It’s a fragile foundation, one that demands constant effort, manipulation, and deceit to maintain. Yet no matter how high someone climbs or how polished their persona becomes, the pressures, betrayals, and compromises inherent in this way of life will eventually catch up with them. This is where the mindset of Christ stands in stark contrast. Christ offers not a fragile house, but a sanctuary built on rock, steadfast and unmoving in the face of life’s challenges. Unlike the hustle-driven mentality that treats people as steppingstones or tools for personal success, Christ’s teachings invite us to embrace peace, humility, and selfless love. His call is not to manipulate, to scheme, or to compete, but to rest in the sufficiency of His grace, which offers a peace that the world cannot give. In this peace, there is no need for a tough, defensive front, no need to live a double life or compromise one’s core beliefs. In Christ, one finds true stability. 

   Christ doesn’t ask us to climb higher or prove our worth; He invites us to rest in His completed work on the cross where our identity is secure. When we live according to the world’s standards, we’re like travelers in a desert, constantly searching for water, parched and weary, chasing mirages that promise relief but only lead to more emptiness. But in Christ, we find the living water that quenches our thirst, offering us rest from the striving and the noise. His peace, like still waters, calms our hearts and minds. It does not require manipulation or self-promotion. It doesn’t demand we bend or compromise our values for the sake of success. It simply asks that we trust Him, that we believe in the sufficiency of His love, and that we live out His truth in every and all aspects of our lives. The constant pressure to compete and perform chips away at one’s inner peace, leaving nothing but a hollow shell. But the peace that Christ offers is the opposite. It is a peace that does not require us to constantly fight or strive. It is a peace that grows from within, a fruit of knowing that we are loved and secure in God’s plan for us, regardless of external circumstances. Instead of being victims of our past or the pressures of the world around us, Christ offers us the opportunity to walk forward, unburdened by the need to prove ourselves. His grace liberates us from the shackles of comparison and competition. We do not have to play the game of life by the world’s rules anymore. We are invited to live in the freedom that comes from knowing we are loved by God — not because of what we achieve, but because of who we are in Him. When we choose to embrace this truth, we no longer must live divided lives. We can walk with authenticity, with a sense of peace that transcends the chaotic, competitive world around us. This peace is the only true anchor in a world full of shifting sand. It is a lighthouse in the storm, guiding us toward a future that is not determined by our success or failures, but by the unshakable love of God.  

   As we share this with others, it becomes a gift that echoes beyond our lives and touches those around us. In guiding others toward true peace, we’re helping them discover a freedom they may not even realize they need. Instead of living by the standards of the world, they can experience the joy and relief of being grounded in God’s truth. Encouraging others toward this path is one of the most loving acts we can offer. In a world of temporary solutions and fleeting success, showing someone the way to a lasting, unshakable peace can transform not only their lives but also the lives of those they touch. Walking this path of peace ourselves serves as an example that others can see and feel, making our lives a quiet yet powerful testimony to a truth that the world desperately needs. Walking the path of true peace means accepting that we will not always find favor with the world. The values that bring true stability and peace — humility, love, integrity, and faithfulness to God’s truth — often stand in direct opposition to the values celebrated by society. With less emphasis on manipulation, deceit, and ruthless pragmatism, the culture could shift towards more transparency, trust, and collaboration. This could create a more supportive environment for both individuals and businesses. As a result, people would feel more empowered to work together, share resources, and build communities, leading to greater social stability and cohesion. This cultural shift would make the city not only more inviting but also a model for balanced success in the modern world. On a global scale, if New York were less driven by a Machiavellian mindset, the ripple effect would likely be profound. As one of the world’s most influential cities, New York’s culture has long set trends in finance, media, and business. A shift away from manipulative tactics and cutthroat competition could inspire other major cities and corporations to prioritize ethical practices and social responsibility. This change could lead to more sustainable economic practices, improved mental health across industries, and a greater focus on social equity. A less Machiavellian NYC could also demonstrate that success does not have to come at the expense of human dignity or environmental health, encouraging global leaders and businesses to adopt more responsible, cooperative models. The world would become a more compassionate and forward-thinking place, as the ripple effect of these values spread beyond the boundaries of the city itself. 

   In walking a path of true peace, we must accept that this journey will set us apart from the world. God never intended His people to be loved by a world that is fallen, broken, and often opposed to His ways. From the beginning, God’s nature has stood firmly against sin. He is holy, righteous, and just, and He calls His followers to reflect that holiness — to resist the sinful patterns and mindsets that permeate the world around us. This may make us feel like strangers or outsiders, but it is also a testament to the work of God within us, and even feelings are not as solid of a foundation as Christ offers. The prophets of the Old Testament were often ridiculed and rejected for calling people back to truth and righteousness. Even Jesus who is God, was despised and ultimately crucified. Why should we be surprised, then, that the Holy Spirit who lives within us is also hated by the world? The Spirit empowers us to walk in humility, love, and truth, even when these qualities are not valued by the society around us. This tension, this sense of not quite belonging, is a beautiful and kind reminder that our true citizenship is in heaven, not here. Yes, the world may dismiss, misunderstand, or even hate us, but we are not alone. We are deeply loved and understood by our Christian brothers and sisters who walk this path with us. And above all, we are loved by God — the Creator of the world, who knows us intimately and values us beyond measure. If the world’s love comes and goes, it does not matter, because we have the unchanging, steadfast love of the One who made the world. 

Differing weights are detestable to the Lord, and dishonest scales are unfair. – Proverbs 20:23 

A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways- James 1:8

No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. – Matthew 6:24

 If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you- John 15:18-19

Thank you,

Ben Simon