1016 THE PRINCIPLES OF PERSONAL INTEGRITY
ego is made through the expressions of one's hopes, desires, aims,
ambitions, and plans, and not by boastfulness or self-love. The motto
of the person who has their ego under control is "Deeds, not words:'
One of the major differences between those who make valuable con-
tributions to mankind and those who merely take up space in the
world is mainly a difference in egos.
The desire to be great, to be recognized, and to have personal
power, is a healthy desire. But an open expression of one's belief in
their own greatness is an indication that he or she has not taken pos-
session of their ego, that they have allowed it to take possession of
them. You can be sure that their proclamations of greatness are only
to shield some fear or inferiority complex.
Understand the real nature of your ego and you will understand the
real significance of the Master Mind principle. Moreover, you will
recognize that to be of the greatest service to you, the members of
your Master Mind alliance must be in complete sympathy with your
hopes, aims, and purposes. They must not be in competition with you
in any manner whatsoever.
They must have confidence in you and your integrity, and they
must respect you. They must be willing to accentuate your virtues
and make allowances for your faults. They must be willing to permit
you to be yourself and live your own life in your own way at all times.
Lastly, they must receive from you some form of benefit that will
make you as beneficial to them as they are to you.
Failure to observe this last requirement will bring an end to the
power of your Master Mind alliance.
People relate themselves to one another in whatever capacities
they may be associated because of a motive or motives. There can be
no permanent human relationship based upon an indefinite or vague
motive, or upon no motive at all. Failure to recognize this truth has
cost many the difference between poverty and wealth.