Above all, you must fight conceit, envy, and every kind of
Abraham Cahan, the voice of immigrants and teacher of the humble, declared with quiet strength: “Above all, you must fight conceit, envy, and every kind of ill-feeling in your heart.” In this counsel he points not to outward enemies, but to the inward ones, the silent assassins of the soul. For kingdoms fall and nations crumble, yet the fiercest battle is waged within the chambers of the human heart.
Conceit blinds a man to truth, making him worship his own shadow as though it were the sun. Envy poisons his sight, turning every blessing of another into a wound for himself. And ill-feeling—resentment, bitterness, malice—consumes the soul from within, leaving ashes where joy once dwelt. Cahan teaches that to rise in dignity, to live in peace, the first duty is to wrestle these enemies down, for they enslave us more surely than chains of iron.
History speaks with thunder. Consider the tale of Cain and Abel, the ancient brothers. Envy and ill-feeling took root in Cain’s heart until he struck down his own blood. In that moment, he was mastered not by God nor by man, but by the demons of his own heart. His story endures as a warning: unchecked envy and bitterness lead only to ruin. By contrast, those who conquer the inner foe gain a peace no tyrant can steal.
In more recent times, Nelson Mandela offers the shining opposite. After twenty-seven years in prison, he emerged not with bitterness but with forgiveness. He fought ill-feeling within himself and laid down envy and pride, choosing reconciliation over vengeance. Because he mastered his heart, he was able to heal a nation. His triumph was not only political but spiritual, showing the power of conquering the inward enemies Cahan warns against.
O children of tomorrow, remember this: your greatest struggle will not be with swords or crowns, but with your own heart. Fight conceit, lest it blind you; fight envy, lest it consume you; fight ill-feeling, lest it enslave you. For the man who masters himself is freer than kings and richer than empires. Cahan’s words stand as an eternal call: above all, guard your heart, for from it flows the destiny of your life.
UUwu
This quote resonates with me, but I also wonder how practical it is to expect people to fight against all these negative emotions on a daily basis. Conceit, envy, and ill-feelings can be so ingrained in our personal and social lives. Can we really expect to eliminate them entirely? Or is the goal more about managing them, acknowledging them when they arise, and working to keep them from controlling our actions? How do we start this process?
KLPham Ngoc Khanh Ly
Abraham Cahan’s words seem to point out a universal truth: that negative emotions can be incredibly destructive if left unchecked. It makes me wonder, though, how much of this inner turmoil is learned versus innate. Are we born with these feelings, or do we develop them through experiences and societal pressures? If they are learned, can we unlearn them by changing the way we approach life and our relationships with others?
MDvu minh duc
I find this quote quite challenging, especially in today’s competitive world. Conceit and envy often arise in situations where we measure ourselves against others. But is it always wrong to feel these emotions? At times, don’t they drive us to improve ourselves or push harder to achieve success? Of course, they can become toxic if unchecked, but is there a balance between acknowledging these feelings and allowing them to guide our growth?
MVngo minh vu
This is such an insightful quote, yet it raises a difficult question: Can we ever fully rid ourselves of negative emotions like envy or conceit? It feels like they’re almost a part of human nature. I believe fighting these feelings is important, but how do we deal with the moments when we fail? Is it enough to simply recognize these emotions and try to correct them, or is there a deeper level of change we need to work towards?
KDNguyen Dao Khanh Duy
I find this quote very powerful because it emphasizes the importance of inner peace. Conceit and envy can really poison our thoughts and actions, but are they always within our control to fight? Sometimes, it feels like these negative emotions creep up without us even realizing it. I wonder—how can we make fighting these feelings a regular part of our lives? Does it require continuous self-monitoring, or can it become second nature over time?