I've fought my way up into the middle class, and I've noticed a few things along the way. One thing I've noticed is that nearly everyone is looking out for himself, and perfectly willing to screw over the other guy in order to get ahead. The rich are just better at it.
A few manage to get ahead with integrity, few only because there are few that have integrity to begin with. But no one manages to get ahead with illusions. Bitterness doesn't help either. Just accept the fact that life is unfair, as a stipulation of the problem. Then solve the problem as it is posed to you. Evil always has blind spots. Seek to outsmart the system. And always watch your back.