Once upon a time, there lived a man named Thomas Hobbes.
Centuries ago, he said: “Man is a wolf to man.”
Meaning in some ways, we’re all hunting each other, unless something stops us.
Sounds rather gloomy, doesn’t it? But take a moment to think:
Most of those we call attackers are simply trying to protect themselves.
When someone doesn’t help, maybe they’re just drawing their boundary.
If someone seems distant, maybe they’ve been hurt too many times.
The one you call selfish might actually be a mind trying to survive.
Egoism is it really that terrible?
The first thing that comes to mind when you hear egoism is selfishness.
But sometimes, being egoistic simply means being with yourself.
It’s learning to listen to your own needs, to set limits, to say “no.”
It doesn’t harm others on the contrary, it makes you clearer, freer, and stronger.
The real problem begins right here:
When the ego completely takes over, you lose compassion.
You stop connecting.
And then, it’s no longer protection it’s disconnection.
How to recognize a healthy ego
* You can say “no,” but with respect.
* You protect your happiness without belittling others.
* You love yourself without making anyone feel less.
That balance defines a mature self.
As Hobbes said, “the rule” arises right here:
Not so that we won’t eat each other but so that we can live together.
Are you really an egoist?
Ask yourself:
* Do you expect everyone to give as much as you do?
* Do you feel uneasy when you have to share?
* Does someone’s success quietly bother you?
If you said “yes” to these, your ego might be in the driver’s seat.
But the very moment you realize it that’s when balance begins.
It’s not about silencing your ego.
It’s about learning to live in peace with it.
Because your ego keeps you alive but your heart must lead the way.