When you reflect on your personal growth, what measuring stick do you use?

Marcus suggests that the quality of your character can be determined by the standards you aspire to reach. A noble person sets their sights on lofty ideals, ideals that are often beyond their current grasp.

This isn't about undermining oneself or courting failure; instead, it's about reaching higher, stretching beyond comfort zones, and fostering a sense of aspiration grounded in virtue. When faced with challenges today, ask yourself: Are my goals pushing me to be the best version of myself, or am I simply racing against others?

In contrast, someone with less noble intentions may only look to surpass those they deem beneath them. This is a trap of comparison that breeds ambition for its own sake—the kind of drive that's more about one-upmanship and less about self-improvement. It's a base urge to outdo others just to feel superior rather than a thoughtful pursuit to genuinely excel.

Observe your motivations in your day-to-day life: are they rooted in selflessness and self-improvement or are they about chasing status and outdoing someone else?

Remember, true growth is inward and upward, not downward. Aim to aspire, not to compete.