which, considering the transitoriness of human affairs, will keep their equilibrium never for more than a short time, but, in most cases, cither sink or rise,—consequently it is difficult to "be fair” and requires much practice, the best intentions and a great deal of rare common sense.
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Our striving after distinction.—Our striving after distinction urges us to keep a constant watch on the neighbour and his feelings : but the sympathy and secrecy which are essentials for the gratification of this craving are far from being harmless, compassionate or kind. On the contrary, we want to notice or to divine how we can make our neighbour suffer either externally or internally, how he loses his self-control and gives way to the impression which our land or even our sight make on him; and even if the one who is striving after distinction makes, and wishes to make, a joyful, elevating or cheering impression, he yet enjoys this success not inasmuch as he thereby gives pleasure to, elevates or cheer's his neighbour, but inasmuch as he impresses himself on the stranger's soul, transforming its shape and ruling over it at his own free will. The striving after distinction is the striving after ascendancy over one's neighbour, be it only a very indirect one, or one only felt or dreamt of. There are many stages in this secretly-desired ascendancy, and a complete record of the same
