Respecting Individuality

In the world there are many people who live putting on a bold front, or who speak down to others from on high.

There may be circumstances or positions in which, to get by in society, they have to carry themselves that way in their work.

But that attitude can, depending on the time and case, come across as a lack of confidence; for me, the truly formidable ones—those who possess outstanding talent yet can conduct themselves humbly—strike me as all the more fearsome and appealing.

Among my father’s teachings is the phrase, “Make no one above yourself, and make no one below yourself.”

When I heard it from my father at the time, I was still young and didn’t understand what he meant, but thinking about it now, I interpret it as: don’t judge people by their occupation or trade; if you sense a shining, outstanding quality in someone and find them appealing, respect them and keep company with them; and if they’re not worth associating with, don’t go approaching them yourself.

I’ve strung together some presumptuous words—but just what sort of character do I appear to be in others’ eyes, I wonder?