Quotes for Kids About Comparison and Comparing to Others

We all compare ourselves to each other. It’s human nature. And this is especially true of kids and teenagers.

Our goal at InspireMyKids is to help you become the best version our yourself. Some degree of comparison can actually be helpful for this goal. It can help you clarify your beliefs, preferences, and attitudes. And in some cases, it can help motivate you to improve yourself.

But comparison is something that most often works against you.  So we’d like you to understand more about it so that you can keep it its rightful place and develop good habits that will help you become the best you can be.

The Downside of Comparison

Comparing to others often creates feelings of envy and jealousy. It can lead to a poor self-image and even poor health. And it most often does not take into account all of the amazing things that make you uniquely you!

Social media creates massive opportunities for comparison. On social media, often time people post of ‘highlight reel’ of their life.  They are often not showing you their daily struggles, challenges, and problems.

And many kids are constantly evaluating themselves versus others, including their friends and even celebrities. They may compare achievements, relationships, abilities, attractiveness, popularity, success, and intelligence. More often than not, this can lead to a host of bad outcomes like envy, guilt, and defensiveness.

The great thing is that there are habits you can develop to reduce how much you compare yourself to others!  Check out these great quotes and then get to work on developing healthy habits that will help you become the best version of yourself!

Quotes for Kids about Comparison and Comparing to Others

Here are some quotes for kids about comparison and comparing to others that reveal reasons why it is often not such a good thing. And a few quotes that show the value of NOT comparing oneself to others.

• “Don’t compare your life with others. There’s no comparison between the sun and the moon. They shine when it’s their time.” ― Anonymous
• “Whatever your passion is, keep doing it. Don’t waste time chasing after success or comparing yourself to others. Every flower blooms at a different pace.” – Suzy Kassem
• “Don’t compare yourself to ANYONE. Your uniqueness is what makes you incomparable! Don’t underestimate the beauty of just being YOU.” – Stephanie Lahart
• “Comparison can turn friends into adversaries.” ― Frank Sonnenberg
• “Comparison is the thief of joy.” – Theodore Roosevelt
• “Hike your own hike” – Anonymous
• “Look in the mirror rather than at your neighbor.” – Frank Sonnenberg
• “I cannot say this too strongly: Do not compare yourselves to others. Be true to who you are, and continue to learn with all your might.”
  ― Daisaku Ikeda
• “Since you are like no other being ever created since the beginning of Time, you are incomparable. ” ― Brenda Ueland
• “Comparison is the root cause of all evil. Why compare when no two people are alike?” ― Haresh Sippy
• “To cultivate gratitude, we must first uproot the weeds of pride, entitlement, and comparison that choke out our blessings.” ― Toyin Omofoye
• “The reason why we struggle with insecurity is because we compare ourselves to everyone else’s highlight reel.” – Steven Furtick
• “A flower does not think of competing to the flower next to it. It just blooms.” – Zen Shin
• “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
• “Always be a first-rate version of yourself and not a second rate version of someone else.” ― Judy Garland
• “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” ― Robert Frost
• “Why are trying so hard to fit in, when you’re born to stand out” ― Oliver James
• “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” – Philippians 4:8

Additional Resources:

• See all of our other great quotes for kids including our quotes about being different and being yourself
• Learn ways to stop comparing yourself to others and develop healthier habits

Topics for Discussion:

• How often do you compare yourself to others?  When and how do you so?  How does it make you feel?
• What is good about comparison?  What is bad about it?
• What at your top 3 quotes from the list above?   Why?
• What are your special gifts, talents, likes, and dislikes?  How do you think you are different than other people?
• What does it take to be yourself?

Take Action:

• Write down 5 of your biggest strengths and unique qualities.  Keep this list by your bed and look at it every week to remind yourself what makes you you!
• Write down 3 habits that will help your compare less. Use this list for inspiration.  Go out and do it! Today.
• Teacher and Parent Features:

• Here is a link to a Critical Reading Skills worksheet that you can use for elementary school students.
• Here is a link to a Critical Reading Skills worksheet that you can use for middle school students.
• Check out our growing list of Lesson Plans that can be used alongside our quotes and articles