--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Either you soften your ego, or the world…" description: "\"“Either you soften your ego, or the world will do it for you. Choose!”\" — Bert McCoy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2f/bert-mccoy-14090_choose_either-you-soften-your-ego-or-the-world_2953.jpg" --- # Either you soften your ego, or the world will do it for… ![“Either you soften your ego, or the world will do it for you. Choose!” quote by Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2f/bert-mccoy-14090_choose_either-you-soften-your-ego-or-the-world_2953.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2f/bert-mccoy-14090_choose_either-you-soften-your-ego-or-the-world_2953.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2f/bert-mccoy-14090_choose_either-you-soften-your-ego-or-the-world_2953.jpg) > ““Either you soften your ego, or the world will do it for you. Choose!”” [Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A warning that unchecked ego will be humbled by external forces unless one voluntarily moderates it. **In simple terms:** Ego must be softened voluntarily. Key Takeaway Self‑control prevents external correction. Themes ego humility choice self‑discipline consequence personal growth Mood cautionary motivational assertive Type advice motivational philosophical When to use this quote - career decisions - interpersonal conflicts - leadership challenges - self‑reflection sessions Key Concepts ego management self‑awareness personal agency Practical Applications - encourage humility in teams - guide personal development Questions to Reflect On - What strategies help soften ego? - When does external pressure become constructive? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choose/) [Ego World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ego-world-269528/) [Ego-mind-quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ego-mind-quotes/) [Meditation-quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation-quotes/) [Soften](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soften/) [Soften Ego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soften-ego-269526/) [Wisdom quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom-quotes/) [Wise-quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise-quotes/) [World Choose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-choose/) ## Related quotes > [“Stop feeding the ego food, then it will stop asking for more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-mccoy/stop-feeding-the-ego-food-then-it-will-stop-asking-for-more/) [Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/) > [“Excessive talk leads to miscommunication.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-mccoy/excessive-talk-leads-to-miscommunication/) [Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/) > [“The way to let go of the past is the way to take care of a wound - 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listen to what they have to say.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-mccoy/the-wise-ones-have-been-tortured-by-their-minds-for-lifetimes-listen/) [Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/) > [“The ego can trap the best of us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-mccoy/the-ego-can-trap-the-best-of-us/) [Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/) > [“The ego is an expert at camouflage.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-mccoy/the-ego-is-an-expert-at-camouflage/) [Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/) ## More by Bert McCoy > [“Stop feeding the ego food, then it will stop asking for more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-mccoy/stop-feeding-the-ego-food-then-it-will-stop-asking-for-more/) [Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/) > [“Awareness is eternity... and dances in the present moment.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-mccoy/awareness-is-eternity-and-dances-in-the-present-moment/) [Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/) > [“The ego is the ultimate conspirator.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-mccoy/the-ego-is-the-ultimate-conspirator/) [Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/) > [“Be simple or be sorry.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-mccoy/be-simple-or-be-sorry/) [Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/) > [“Our immortal self is beyond all of this.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-mccoy/our-immortal-self-is-beyond-all-of-this/) [Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/) > [“Take care of your business, so others will stay out of yours.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-mccoy/take-care-of-your-business-so-others-will-stay-out-of-yours/) [Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/) > [“The mind is a red rose with thorns... don't get too close.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-mccoy/the-mind-is-a-red-rose-with-thorns-don-t-get-too-close/) [Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/) > [“Trouble will continue to come until we stop being an individual.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-mccoy/trouble-will-continue-to-come-until-we-stop-being-an-individual/) [Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/) > [“Without a sound the flower's speak.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-mccoy/without-a-sound-the-flower-s-speak/) [Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/) > [“Catch negative thoughts quickly... so they don't multiply.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-mccoy/catch-negative-thoughts-quickly-so-they-don-t-multiply/) [Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/) > [“One flower can transform your entire day.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-mccoy/one-flower-can-transform-your-entire-day/) [Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/) > [“Don't think yourself out of being happy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-mccoy/don-t-think-yourself-out-of-being-happy/) [Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/) > [“The wise ones have been tortured by their minds for lifetimes - 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