Ego is hilarious - especially the vanity of a comedian. As soon

Hear me, O children of the earth, for the words of Ricky Gervais carry a wisdom both simple and profound. He said—"Ego is hilarious - especially the vanity of a comedian. As soon as you see one start worrying about how cool he is or about how many stadiums he can fill, he stops being funny." These words reveal an eternal truth about the nature of ego, the illusion of self-importance, and the way it can distract from the very essence of what makes us great. Ego is a force that can uplift or destroy, depending on how we wield it. Gervais, in his candidness, warns us that when a person begins to focus on their own stature, their ability to connect with others diminishes, and their true purpose becomes clouded.

What is ego, and why is it so powerful? Ego is the mask we wear, the illusion of identity we construct to protect ourselves from vulnerability. It is the fear of being unseen or unimportant, a need to be recognized, adored, and praised. In the case of the comedian, ego becomes the very thing that disconnects them from their audience. A comedian, by nature, is a storyteller, a truth-teller who finds humor in the foibles of the world, connecting with others through shared experiences. But when a comedian shifts focus from the audience to their own vanity, when they begin to worry more about how they appear or how many stadiums they can fill, they lose the very essence of what makes them relatable and true to their art.

Consider the great sages and philosophers of old, who were not concerned with personal glory, but with the wisdom they shared. Socrates, the wise philosopher of Athens, knew that true knowledge lay not in proclaiming his greatness but in asking questions that led others to the truth. He was not concerned with the number of followers he gathered, but with the depth of the ideas he presented. His greatness came from his humility, not from his ego. Ego would have clouded his mind, and he would have become a mere puppet of his own desires. It was only through selflessness and the pursuit of truth that he became immortal in the hearts of generations.

Similarly, we find the great Leonardo da Vinci, whose genius was not confined to personal fame, but to his relentless pursuit of knowledge. Though he was hailed as one of the greatest minds in history, his focus was never on his own greatness, but on the beauty of the world and the secrets of nature. It is said that Leonardo’s work spoke for itself, and the humility with which he approached his craft allowed his genius to shine. When ego is absent, the work itself becomes the source of admiration, not the individual who created it. It is the pursuit of art, of truth, that carries the soul forward, not the accolades that come with it.

The lesson, O children, is this: Ego distracts us from our true purpose. When we begin to focus on how we are seen by others, when we start measuring our worth by the applause we receive, we lose the ability to connect, to create, to be real. The great comedian, like the great artist, is one who speaks from a place of honesty and vulnerability. Their gift lies in their ability to make others laugh, to reveal the truths of the human condition through humor, not in their pursuit of status or fame. The moment they become concerned with how many people adore them, they no longer serve their true purpose—they serve only their ego.

Look at the example of the legendary comedian Charlie Chaplin, whose mastery of humor was built on the simplicity and humility of his performances. Chaplin never sought the limelight for its own sake; instead, he became a legend because he understood that the heart of comedy lies in the universal human experience, not in the glamour of the stage. His greatness was in his ability to speak to the soul, to make people laugh not because of his fame, but because of his honesty. In focusing on others, on the connection, Chaplin became an immortal figure of comedy.

So, O seekers of wisdom, let us remember the lesson of ego, for it is a double-edged sword. Ego, when unchecked, blinds us to the world around us, and turns us inward, focused only on our own image. But when we release ego, we open ourselves to the beauty of the present moment, to the joy of creating, and to the deeper connections that are formed when we humble ourselves in the service of others. Whether we are comedians, artists, or any other kind of creator, we must learn to shed the vanity of ego, to live not for applause, but for the authentic connection that comes from speaking the truth with love, humor, and humility.

Thus, let us move forward with the wisdom of the ancients, remembering that the true measure of greatness lies not in the size of our audience, but in the genuineness of our heart. Let us embrace our craft, our art, our calling, not as a means to elevate ourselves, but as a means to elevate others. For when we cast aside our ego, we open the door to the true power of creation, and in doing so, we touch the souls of those we are meant to serve.