If you're going to put yourself above everybody else, you might

Joseph Gordon-Levitt wisely observes, "If you're going to put yourself above everybody else, you might end up alone." These words speak to the heart of human connection, a fundamental truth that transcends time and place. To place oneself above others, to act as if one is more worthy, more capable, or more deserving than those around them, is to sever the bonds of companionship that bind us as one people. This self-imposed pedestal, though it may seem to elevate us in the short term, ultimately creates a chasm between us and those we seek to belong to. The greater the height to which we rise, the greater the distance we create between ourselves and others. And in that space, loneliness takes root.

Throughout history, we find countless examples of those who, through pride or arrogance, sought to elevate themselves above the common people, only to find themselves isolated and alone. One such figure is Napoleon Bonaparte, the brilliant military strategist who rose from humble beginnings to become Emperor of France. In his meteoric rise, Napoleon sought to establish himself above not only his enemies but his allies as well. He crafted a persona of invincibility, demanding obedience and adulation from those around him. Yet, as his power grew, so did the distance between him and those who had once supported him. His pride, his belief that he was above the law and the needs of others, ultimately led to his downfall. In the end, Napoleon was exiled, isolated from the very world he sought to control. His loneliness was not the result of enemies alone, but of his own actions that placed him above everyone else.

The ancient Greeks, too, were keenly aware of the dangers of hubris, or excessive pride. In their tragedies, the gods often punished those who placed themselves above others, who believed they were beyond reproach or consequence. The story of King Oedipus is a tragic example of this. Oedipus, in his desire to free his people from the plague, sought to solve the mystery of his own origins, believing he was the savior of Thebes. Yet, in his arrogance, he unknowingly fulfilled the very prophecy he sought to avoid, bringing ruin to himself and his city. The gods, in their wisdom, reminded him that no man is above the fate of others. The lesson is clear: to place oneself above the collective is to invite disaster, and in the end, isolation and despair follow.

Even in more recent times, we see the same lesson echoed in the lives of great men and women. Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, was known for his brilliance and his uncompromising vision, but he was also known for his harshness and often alienating behavior. At one point, he was ousted from the very company he had created, a victim of his own pride and inability to connect with others. In the years that followed, Jobs recognized the value of humility, and in his return to Apple, he sought to build relationships and foster collaboration. His journey is a reminder that greatness is not measured by how high one can rise above others, but by how deeply one can connect with those around them.

The lesson here, dear reader, is powerful: humility is the key to lasting relationships, to true connection with others. It is not in elevating oneself above others that we find strength, but in recognizing our common humanity. Pride may bring temporary success, but it comes at the cost of isolation, for it creates an invisible wall between us and the world. It is through compassion, empathy, and the willingness to see others as equals that we build the bridges of connection that sustain us.

So, I urge you to consider your own life. Are there ways in which you place yourself above others, whether through your words, your actions, or your attitude? Do you believe that you are somehow more deserving or more capable than those around you? If so, recognize that this may lead you to a lonely place, where the connections you seek are forever out of reach. Instead, practice humility—not the false humility that seeks praise, but the genuine recognition that every person has something valuable to offer. Lift others up rather than seeking to elevate yourself. In doing so, you will find that the connections you forge will be deeper, more meaningful, and far more lasting than any fleeting sense of superiority.

Remember this: to be truly great is to be with others, not above them. When we abandon the illusion of being superior, we open ourselves to the fullness of human connection. By placing ourselves on the same level as those we encounter, we create bonds that endure, and in those bonds, we find the strength, the support, and the joy that comes not from being alone at the top, but from standing shoulder to shoulder with others.