To say that comparisons are often careless is to say that they are then equally unhappy and erroneous. To say that they are generally unnecessary and should never be used unless from the standpoint of Principle would probably question the desirability of a large per cent of the conversation in which the world now indulges with great avidity. Cervantes' statement that "comparisons are odious," has become a proverb, and Paul calls our attention to the same thing when he tells us of those who, "measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
Who has yet learned completely the unwisdom of such practice, or who has discovered how much valuable time is wasted therein? The human mind is often found exploiting itself along this line. Is this not one of the ways in which it holds mortals in contemplation of the human, material sense of things? How frequently we hear this pernicious habit indulged. One often finds the sense of the rare beauty of landscape or flower subjected to this dwarfing process. Some one says, "Of course this scene is grand, but how much more glorious is such and such a one," or, "Violets are certainly lovely, but do you not think the rose the most perfect of flowers?" When one compares persons is not one betrayed thereby into the most baneful of such indulgence? For whether the effort is to magnify or to minimize the good expressed by one through contrasting such good with what may appear in another, such effort holds thought in contemplation of a human sense of good instead of lifting it to perceive every least unfolding of that which is true and right as the successful endeavor to express what comes from God, divine Mind.
Then can any benefit be derived from the practice of careless comparison? Is one ever lifted into a greater appreciation of any least good thereby? Does not such comparison of persons or thiňgs tend to obscure and blight the recognition of good which might otherwise unfold to one's consciousness with a blessing? Suppose one stands in awe before the wonderful beauty of some mountain peak, lifting its head of pure white ever higher and higher into the blue sky above, does it increase the sense of awe and reverence thus inspired to think, or remark, how insignificant the surrounding hills appear? May not these same lower hills express a sense of beauty all their own and, if left uncontrasted in thought, awaken one to see yet more of good? If thought is left untrammeled by a sense of obscuring comparison, think of some of the lessons in humility and patience which can be learned through thoughtful contemplation of the modest violet and what glimpses can be gleaned of strength and confidence and hope from a lovely rose. When one attempts to compare one fellow man with another, how futile and needless is the process, leading only to the consideration of the concepts of the human, mortal mind, which at best are but limited, unsubstantial judgment. To start in one's contemplation of anything from the standpoint of material, erroneous comparison is to immediately begin to rob and destroy to thought the usefulness and beauty which might otherwise speak in tones of instruction and helpfulness. In other words, is it not to wander in the bypaths of the carnal mind with all its destructive tendencies, clinging to that which is personal and material, instead of allowing every thought to lead constantly upward to the creator of all, who made all perfect in Mind and ever holds it thus?
