My rule of writing is that no one can do what you can do, so

Hallie Ephron, born into a family of storytellers, once gave this radiant truth: “My rule of writing is that no one can do what you can do, so jealousy or competitiveness are pointless. I am always happy when one of my sisters has a book published that I get to read.” Her words are not merely about the art of writing, but about the nature of individuality, the futility of jealousy, and the strength found in celebrating the gifts of others. She teaches us that each soul has its own music, and to envy another’s song is to forget that our own voice cannot be sung by anyone else.

The first wisdom in her words is this: no one can do what you can do. Every human being is a vessel of unique experience, perception, and imagination. Just as no two stars shine with the same light, no two stories can be told in the same way. To compare your work with another’s is as pointless as comparing a river to a mountain—both are magnificent, but in different forms. When one understands this, competitiveness becomes unnecessary, for the true measure of worth is not victory over another, but faithfulness to one’s own gift.

The ancients knew this lesson well. Consider the fable of Aesop, who, though a slave, told stories unlike any other. Kings had poets, cities had playwrights, but no one could spin wisdom into fables as he could. His power lay not in surpassing others, but in bringing forth what only he possessed. Similarly, Hallie Ephron speaks of writing not as rivalry but as revelation, where each author’s voice is its own unrepeatable treasure.

Her words also carry a deeper truth about sisterhood and community. When she says she rejoices in her sisters’ books, she demonstrates the antidote to envy: gratitude for the gifts of others. True love does not diminish when another shines; it grows brighter. In families, friendships, and communities, jealousy corrodes bonds, while joy in one another’s success strengthens them. The same principle guides nations and societies: those who celebrate each other’s triumphs rise together, while those who tear each other down fall divided.

History offers us proof. Think of the painters of the Renaissance: Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci. Though rivals at times, their brilliance collectively gave birth to an age of art unmatched in history. When rivalry turned bitter, it consumed energy in strife. But when competition transformed into admiration and inspiration, it elevated all. Likewise, Ephron reminds us that the truest path to greatness is not through the defeat of others but through the full flowering of one’s own unique vision.

The lesson here is luminous: jealousy is pointless because it blinds us to the singular power of our own gift. To waste energy in rivalry is to forget that no one else can live your life, tell your story, or create your art. Instead, cultivate joy in the successes of others, for their light does not dim yours—it illuminates the shared human sky. Let admiration replace envy, and let gratitude silence competitiveness.

Practical action is clear. When you feel envy stir, pause and remind yourself: No one can do what I can do. Reflect on your own path, your own strengths, your own vision. Celebrate the achievements of those around you as though they were your own, for their success enriches the world you also inhabit. Support, encourage, and learn from others, but never forget that your truest rival is not your neighbor—it is your own potential, waiting to be fulfilled.

So let this teaching endure: each person is irreplaceable, each gift unique, each voice necessary. Jealousy and competitiveness are illusions, for no soul can ever truly steal from another what was theirs alone to give. Rejoice in others, create from your heart, and know that your work, your life, your legacy can never be duplicated. This is the path to peace, to freedom, and to the fulfillment of your calling.