Choose Wisely – Self-Respect Vs. Ego

“EGO is inversely proportional to knowledge. The greater the knowledge, the lesser the ego and vice – verse”

~ Albert Einstein

A famous zoo in Japan holds a cage, above which the following words are written “The Most Dangerous Animal of the World”. However, the irony is the cage has no animals or plants but a simple huge mirror that reflects the image of the person standing in front of it, inferring that man is that most dangerous animal.

Self-esteem Vs. Ego

In this 21^st century, where mankind has forgotten the invaluable values of love, benevolence, respect, gratitude, etc… and has been manacled by the evils of selfishness, greed, and lure, the transformation of self-respect to ego has also increased manifold.

What is Self-Respect or Self – Esteem?

According to me, it refers to 3 facets:

1. To have confidence in yourself (not overconfidence) and trusting your conscience to be right
2. The transient or temporary respect earned due to/attributed to position, power, name and wealth
3. The respect earned due to the invaluable virtues of love, honesty, gratitude, etc…

Loving Yourself!

Moreover, self-respect always propels a human being to work for self-satisfaction in a goal-oriented way. It also teaches man to be aware of his duties and helps him to face the trials and tribulations of life. In this context, a beautiful example which can be drawn is from the epic Mahabharata where, when out of fear to kill his brothers Arjuna refuses to fight and loses confidence in himself, Lord Krishna, his charioteer, inspires him and reminds him of his duties, thus helping him to regain his self-respect and hence fight without any feeling of guilt and sorrow.

What is EGO?

In the words of great preacher Shri. Gaur Gopal Das, “EGO is the most poisonous 3 lettered word.” It refers to having a blotted head/ an air around oneself where only “I, ME and MY SELF” exists. It is so much so dangerous that not only does it create crevices in the society by threatening mutual and social cooperation but also leads to most of the prevalent problems in personal, social, and spiritual life. It so happens because EGO never allows a person to be satisfied. It demands more and more and more till infinity.

Fighting Ego To Unleash The Real Power In You!

A person caged by EGO always thinks that only he is the best, only his work is the best and all conditions and situations only be like he thinks of. And so EGO upsets the self often as in the words of Shakespeare “Life Seldom Turns The Way We Expect It To.” In this context, an example that can be drawn is from the great Ramayana, where even though Ravana was the most knowledgeable and wise person, but it was his EGO which led to his fall.

Live Simple, Stay Better!

So in the end, wisdom is to know the difference between ego and self-respect and to become more aware of these as if not, one may even not have the time of rectification when self-respect turns to ego and thus leads to a great fall. So choose wisely!

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