Shakespeare was a man who wrote poetry. I'm a man who writes

In the bold words of Jay-Z, “Shakespeare was a man who wrote poetry. I’m a man who writes poetry. Why not compare yourself to the best?” Here, we hear not only the voice of an artist but the call of ambition itself. This is no idle boast, but a declaration of human dignity: that the poet of the streets may stand beside the poet of kings, that the soul of one generation may speak with equal power as the soul of another. Jay-Z’s words summon us to break the chains of smallness, to measure ourselves not against mediocrity, but against greatness itself.

To call Shakespeare by name is to call upon the mountain of human genius. The bard of Avon has long stood as a titan, his words sung across centuries. Yet Jay-Z, standing in the arena of modern struggle, dares to say: I too am a poet. My ink flows from a different well, but it speaks the same human truths—of love, of betrayal, of ambition, of despair, of triumph. This comparison is not arrogance, but recognition: that poetry, whether clothed in sonnet or hip-hop verse, is the eternal language of the human heart.

In this statement we hear a deeper lesson: that we must not shrink from comparison with the greats. Too often men and women look upward at giants and whisper, “I am not worthy.” But Jay-Z reminds us that greatness is not reserved for the chosen few—it is open to any who dare to labor, to create, to speak with courage. Just as Shakespeare was but a man of flesh and bone, so too are we. Why not aim to stand among the highest? Why not stretch our spirit until it touches the same heavens?

History offers us many who thought in this manner. Consider Alexander the Great, who slept with a copy of Homer’s Iliad beneath his pillow. He did not see himself as unworthy of Achilles’ company; rather, he sought to emulate him, to craft his life as a poem of heroism. Likewise, Renaissance artists compared themselves to the ancients, daring to rival the works of Greece and Rome. This boldness did not diminish them; it elevated them, birthing masterpieces that still shine today. Jay-Z’s words follow this same ancient tradition: measure yourself by the best, so that your striving may reach beyond ordinary bounds.

The meaning, then, is clear. To compare oneself to greatness is not arrogance, but fuel for the fire. By placing your standard among the highest, you elevate your labor, your craft, your soul. Even if you do not equal Shakespeare, you will rise higher than if you had contented yourself with lesser models. To choose greatness as your mirror is to declare your faith in human possibility.

The lesson for us is this: never belittle your own calling. Whatever your field, whether art, work, or life, look not downward but upward. Study the masters, learn from them, and then stand beside them in courage. Do not whisper, “I am small.” Say instead, “They too were human. If they could, why not I?” Such thinking births progress, innovation, and greatness.

In practice, this means surrounding yourself with works of excellence. Read the finest books, listen to the deepest music, learn from the strongest minds. Then, in your own craft, refuse to settle for mediocrity. Hold your standard high, even impossibly high. For in striving toward the mountain peak, you will discover new strength within yourself. And when doubt arises, recall Jay-Z’s wisdom: why not compare yourself to the best?

Thus, the teaching is sealed: greatness belongs not only to the past, but to the present, to all who dare claim it. Shakespeare’s quill and Jay-Z’s microphone are both instruments of the eternal human voice. So take up your instrument—whatever it may be—and write your verse into the story of the world. And when you ask yourself, “Am I worthy of the greats?” let the answer resound: yes, for they too were men, and so am I.