Is it wrong to secretly manipulate someone for his/her own benefit?

People manipulate other people all the time. Arguing with someone is a form of manipulation. That said, why do you think you know what is better for someone than they know themselves? Doesn't the "intended beneficiary" have the right to make personal choices for themselves?

How can you be sure that the beneficiary will take advantage of this "gift (act) " or use it wisely?
How can you be sure this will benefit this person?

Best to lay out what exactly this is i.e. "There is a large sum is available to you to use for your education. Are you ready to take advantage of this gift"?

Unearned wealth is one of Ghandi's Seven "Sins.'

There is a dilemma here:
- One the dilemma's bad choices is to manipulate someone into doing something which we believe s/he will probably refuse to do - if given the option -.
- The alternative bad choice is let a person to run into some sort of trouble which we believe is real danger, but which s/he dismisses as of little concern.

The dilemma may frequently appear in the family sphere, for example: in the relations between spouses, or between parents and adult/teenage/infant children. But may often also appear in the professional sphere, for example, between doctor and patient, lawyer and client, ...

People need to be controlled. Unfortunately, as most oppose being knowingly controlled or influenced, the only way it happens is secretly.

If the human race continues as-is, we'll go extinct. I like to think intelligent people are working hard behind the scenes guiding and steering us away from the cliff.