People, however, are very much prone to compare but when they do so, more often than not, they do so for the purpose of showing off. People get a peculiar pleasure, if you admire them for something that they have – and which you do not have. This is human nature – and perhaps, you may call it more appropriately, a human failing. People welcome any opportunity for getting this admiration from their fellow beings. This is how ego manifests itself. Haven’t you seen the 'nouveau riche' driving their big shiny Mercedes slowly in front of your house? We accept it with a smile, because we do not mind, if people feel good when they attain success. A little social recognition is in order – especially, when a person does so well in life. It is a legitimate yearning, which is understood. In the Maslow model, social recognition figures as a good motivator of behavior, after their physical and security needs are satisfied.
What is not acceptable, however, is the vulgar display of wealth - especially in poor neighborhoods, as it frequently happens in any country. You may get a kick out of showing off, but to those deprived of even the basic necessities of life, this is like twisting the knife in the wound. This makes those not so fortunate, boil - especially, if they suspect that, this is an ill-gotten wealth, obtained by shameless exploitation of the weaker sections of the society. These are the seemingly trivial episodes that spark revolutions.
There is, of course, the flip side of the coin also. You find a colleague or a neighbor, having something, which you do not have. You feel that you must have even something better, "to teach them a sharp lesson". This is jealousy in its pristine form. You have to have it, no matter what it takes to get it. That you cannot afford it - is no consideration. Have you not seen families getting into debt just to satisfy extravagant whims of this nature?
People given to extravagant habits think that they are going to be happy when their whims and fancies are gratified. The truth is that they can never be happy; no pursuit based on such negative thinking can ever lead to happiness.
When you exhibit your wealth in this manner, your main aim is not happiness. You wish to make someone else unhappy and want to feel pleased over that. You can never be peaceful and happy on that foundation. The situation becomes even worse when you do these comparisons with the very rich or the very highly talented persons. You have no earthly chance of ever matching them in anything, because the differential involved is really huge and can never be bridged. There is no possibility at all of ever coming up to their level. You also know that. And yet, you are unable to keep those thoughts away. You are, of course, distancing yourself from your happiness by these comparisons.
The next thought is about “Aim at Perfection but settle for what is practicable”
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