THE SECRET OF GREATNESS

Mighty mountains stand upon the earth. The peak of Mount Everest rises five and a half miles above sea level. Why are such enormous mountains on the earth? Not to showcase their greatness. In fact, the mountain, by casting its shadow on the ground, shows it is not interested in being great. It prefers humility, not pride or vanity.

The mountain serves the earth, not for show. It spreads across the land to help keep the earth’s balance. Since about two-thirds of the Earth’s surface is covered by deep oceans, there was a risk that the planet could lose its stability and become unlivable for humans. Therefore, mountains were raised on land to help preserve this balance through the natural process of elevations and depressions.

This is one of nature’s fundamental principles for the world. Many things exist here, and each has been given a unique quality by nature. However, these qualities are not meant for one thing to see itself as greater than another or to boast over others. Their purpose is for each to contribute as much as possible in its own area of service.

This same temperament must be cultivated by human beings. Humanity has also been endowed with various distinctive traits. However, these unique qualities are intended solely for individual performance—not so that someone, upon acquiring them, may become arrogant and claim superiority over others. For well-rounded human development, it is essential that a person not only knows himself but also understands others and acknowledges them.