Life really is two spectrums, there is the ego which desires to feed itself and of course not to be diminished, and as we assume when we actually feed ourselves any sort of pleasure that this enhances our ability, or at least proves it, hence there is what we can call the positive spectrum of ego in which we feel great, then there is a negative spectrum of ego which is the side of fear, protecting oneself from harm, which is the exact corrolary of not diminishing the ego / avoiding shame, and hence people create narcissistic personalities which is really defense mechanisms; but then there is the truth, that our entire ego is constructed out of our desire for self, and if we wish to do good we will humbly submit