So why do the right thing when the majority are delinquent?

Only a few hold the truth when the majority is justifying the unjust.

We live with principles. Principles evolve, but sets of principles differ from person to person, even in the same settings. Finally, principles are not uniform. 
However, principles are an inseparable part of a person’s life. Here, principles are meant to be good principles, as reflected in traditions, social norms, and belief systems. 
We design programs to sustain life and succeed in our endeavors. 
Programs compels us to go onwards, but our principles come in the way. Progress remains halted.
I have experienced this dilemma while competing with situations and attempting to be a winner, when people around me were more serious about ends than means. 
When practices clash with principles, life programs suffer. I have opted to lose rather than gain in such clashes. I have been ridiculed for such decisions often. However, there was no long-term halt to my programs going forward, although there were temporary setbacks. 
The question arises.
1. What compels someone to choose to do right? 
Surely they are duty-bound. They are responsible. They have cultivated goodness instead of boasting about being great. They believe in striving. They contribute, and they give. It is their choice. Priority is a means or process. 
2. Why do people get attracted to the wrong means, often knowingly? 
They are solidly desire-oriented. They have to be great through deceit. They accumulate stuff to show. They find pleasure in multiplying wealth. It is their choice. Priority is end results. 
It is also a fact that when we are all delinquent, nothing in this world will move forward.
It strengthens the fact that there are people who are firm in their principles of doing the right thing again and again. So, the world is moving forward in totality and exhibiting progress centuries after centuries. 
When there is a commitment, I have to fulfill it. It is my principle. But the roads to execution are not smooth. There are many who are cunning and adhere to their vested interests. My weapon to handle such awkwardness is my firmness to be on the right course and less concerned about consequences. 
We all have our own ways of behaving in life: loyal, disloyal, honest, dishonest, peaceful, chaotic, polite, arrogant, transparent, opaque, and so on. 
People are free to choose what seems acceptable or likeable to them. 
The big picture suggests that people obsessed with short-term returns have often bypassed the rules of fairness, openness, and truthfulness. 
"In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." George Orwell
Of course. It is not easy to be truthful. We have to be ready to pay the price when circumstances are dominated by selfishness and exploitation is rampant. 
I always refer to the saying of Suzy Kassen when at a crossroads of decisions. 
"Always be truthful, and you will have fewer visits from regret, guilt, and fear." 
The great humbugs of life are fame, power, curtness, and egotism. Wongdoers feel mighty, doing something just to manipulate situations. 
 
Conclusions
It takes a lot of determination to be truthful. It is firmness from inside that makes a person stand by principles. It pays. Ultimately, truth prevails. 
Manipulators gain, but never in long terms. They get exposed; it may be a little late, but no wrongdoer is ever shining. 
In all cases, righteous people create ripple effects on the waves of systems. 
Choose to be a man of integrity.