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Avoid outshining the master

by andrew_writes
9 replies
Authority: Avoid outshining the master. All superiority is odious, but the superiority of a subject over his prince is not only stupid, it is fatal. This is a lesson that the stars in the sky teach us-they may be related to the sun, and just as brilliant, but they never appear in her company.

Balstar Gracian, 1601-1658
#avoid #master #outshining
  • Profile picture of the author Gubaru
    Good quote Andrew. Sounds like one of the quotes from the book. "The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene " Thanks Again.
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    • Profile picture of the author try_hard_samurai
      If I remember correctly. The story that Greene uses to illustrate that was a French noble who through a huge party for the new King. Little did he know that the King felt as if the noble was trying to embarrass him.

      So, he took all of his money and palaces away and locked him up for life.
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      • Profile picture of the author Cataclysm1987
        Originally Posted by Van Bretto View Post

        If I remember correctly. The story that Greene uses to illustrate that was a French noble who through a huge party for the new King. Little did he know that the King felt as if the noble was trying to embarrass him.

        So, he took all of his money and palaces away and locked him up for life.
        I think that's exactly why we don't have kings any more.
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  • Profile picture of the author Amrutg
    May be true in respect of nature, sun , moon and stars. But in respect of human being, it is never wrong to outshine or overshadow Master. A real Master never objects it, or rather he needs to be happy that his disciple has gone some steps ahead of him. But it requires big heart, open mind , and love for our associate or disciple. Only real Masters have it and not the so called Gurus or Masters of present day world.
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    • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
      Originally Posted by Amrutg View Post

      May be true in respect of nature, sun , moon and stars. But in respect of human being, it is never wrong to outshine or overshadow Master. A real Master never objects it, or rather he needs to be happy that his disciple has gone some steps ahead of him. But it requires big heart, open mind , and love for our associate or disciple. Only real Masters have it and not the so called Gurus or Masters of present day world.
      I understand what you're saying but in the real world the bold phrase above is silly. Here are a few examples: Outshine the boss, get fired. Outshine the teacher in class, flunk the class. Outshine the sargent, get KP.

      I'd like to know what you mean by a real master. Maybe you could point one out. Someone in the public eye for an example.

      There are few if any. Jesus was one and there was no one at that time who came close to him. Moses was a distant second. Buddha was another and the same applied. Virtually no one close.

      In the real world it could be fatal to outshine any master who holds your fate in his or her hands.
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      • Profile picture of the author art72
        Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post


        There are few if any. Jesus was one and there was no one at that time who came close to him. Moses was a distant second. Buddha was another and the same applied. Virtually no one close.

        In the real world it could be fatal to outshine any master who holds your fate in his or her hands.
        I fully agree, and sadly few are willing to overcome their fear to benefit the masses. Such may be true that if you outshine the authority, you will likely suffer consequences. And I personally have

        Naturally, if you believe in a higher authority, you would never attempt or profess to be holier than thou, but we see it all the time. In this regard, it is a foolish notion.

        My above example refers to educating our children, today's youth, whereby they can prosper from our knowledge and expand upon it.

        What do I know; all my heroes were martyrs
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        Atop a tree with Buddha ain't a bad place to take rest!
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  • Profile picture of the author ConquistadorO
    Originally Posted by andrew_writes View Post

    All superiority is odious
    Yup. And pointless.
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  • Profile picture of the author smilika
    A prince would only be wise to employ people that are superior to him in a certain field. If I was a prince, I would take it in no other way - why on earth would I have morons working for me.
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    I make my own luck. That means I am fully responsible for everything that happened or is going to happened in my life.

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  • Profile picture of the author art72
    To know ones place and limitations is generally respectful to those who educate and equip us with understanding, knowledge, and wisdom.

    After all, the beginnings of knowledge is to "under" - "stand"; which in essence is to admit; being lesser than to some degree.

    However, what better way to express respect than to take the knowledge you've acquired from the so called master and expand beyond their knowledge!

    This is where true wisdom resides.

    Hence, if you have a 'mentor' truly concerned for your success (over that of their own) -I believe; your excellence would be viewed as a compliment to the foundation they afforded you, and would encourage you to go beyond their knowledge.

    While this is uncharacteristic to today's workplace especially, in marketing it is the "key" to early retirement. Who doesn't want a hungry down-line to scale up their marketing efforts?

    I think it was Buddha who said; "If in the pursuit of knowledge I am ever to block your path, push me aside or kill me...but never limit yourself to the abundance of knowledge made available to you!" (*Mind you I paraphrased it from memory, but you get the point)

    I find the only people offended by the student outgrowing the teacher, are egotistical morons bent on limitations, control, and power...like governing authorities, kings, and megalomaniacs!

    Hence, it would be wise to expect one of your students will someday surpass your knowledge, rightly so!
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    Atop a tree with Buddha ain't a bad place to take rest!
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