The Sage Does Not Measure Self by Others
One does not say of oneself "equal," "inferior," or "superior." Touched by events, one does not conceit, neither delighting nor pushing away.
How many times a day do I measure myself against others — swelling or shrinking by the comparison?
📝Reflection
Comparison is the hand that stirs our minds most often. Feel better than someone and we swell; feel worse and we shrink. But swelling and shrinking are two faces of one coin — both come from measuring ourselves against the ruler called "others." This verse asks us to set down the ruler itself. The place beyond all three judgments — equal, inferior, superior — has no wavering. Without comparison, there is nothing to swell about and nothing to shrink from. The only ruler that measures me is yesterday's self, not the person beside me. The moment we set down the ruler of comparison, the mind finally stands at its own weight.
🌱Apply It Today
When the urge to compare yourself with someone arises today, switch the ruler: "Is today's me better than yesterday's?"
This verse is read as universal humanistic wisdom, not religion — no faith is promoted, and the reflection is 100% original ONGO content.
