Question: It is said that ‘comparison is the thief of joy‘. As it is difficult to not compare at all, how should we do it?
Answer: Comparison ‘steals’ joy from oneself only when jealousy from greed, hatred and delusion arise. From delusion, there is greed for that others have, and hatred that they have it instead of oneself, thus forming jealousy together. This is delusional because others must karmically deserve what they have attained, while oneself does not.
However, ‘comparison can be the bringer of joy’ instead, with rejoice for others’ well-being and achievements. If the gains are ill-gotten, there need not be rejoice. But there need not be any of the defilements above either. That said, the fact that the gains are still gotten is due to some other past good karmas, not from the evil karmas created.
As worldly gains are fleeting in nature, and cannot be brought over to the next life, unless there are the relevant karmas, there is no need to compare such gains endlessly. What best to compare are spiritual virtues that benefit one and all from practice. There should be rejoice for others’ advancement, which should inspire us as good examples, to improve personally too.
Related Articles:
So, How Are You Doing?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2025/03/so-how-are-you-doing
How Can We Handle Our Jealousy?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2018/09/how-can-we-handle-our-jealousy
远离邪见与嫉妒
Far Depart From Wrong Views And Jealousy
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2023/04/far-depart-from-wrong-views-and-jealousy
