our associates, but those whom we recognize
as our peers are the ones who stimulate
us more to the instinctive acts of imitation and
competition.

_Our actual equals stimulate us less than those
whom we recognize as the peers of our ideal
selves--of ourselves as we strive and intend to
become. The man on the ladder just above me
stirs me irresistibly_.

The effect of one individual upon others,
then, is not confined to imitation. There is
a constant tendency to vary from and to excel
the model. My devotion to golf is mainly due
to he example of some of my friends. My
ambition is to outplay these same friends.
Imitation and competition, apparently antagonistic,
are in reality the two expressions
for our social relationships. We first imitate
and then attempt to differentiate ourselves
from our companions.

The manufacturer or merchant imitates his
competitor, but tries also to surpass him.
Indeed it is a truism that competition is the

life of trade. In the shop and in the office,
on the road and behind the counter, in all
buying and selling, competition is essential