Q: Sir, we have to find out where comparison has its place, where it is necessary and where it isn't.
K: No, forgive me again. We must start by saying, 'Can one live without comparison?' Not 'It helps sometimes and doesn't help at other times', 'Comparison is necessary', or 'Comparison is not necessary'. When the right question is asked, and answered rightly, then that will bring about the right response when comparison is necessary. But I must ask the right question, the fundamental question first. Can I live without comparison? Not 'on some says' or 'sometimes'; if I have answered that question, not verbally or intellectually, but deeply, totally, then I will know when it is necessary and when it is necessary.
It is like knowing what co-operation is completely, deeply. Then only will you know when not to co-operate. But to say, 'Mustn't I co-operate with this and not co-operate with that, isn't it necessary sometimes?' leads to greater and greater confusion. When you know how to co-operate fundamentally - not around an idea, around a feeling, around an emotion, but to co-operate without any resistance - then you will also know very deeply, when not to co-operate. So one must ask the right question first.
Krishnamurti, Brockwood, September 11th 1969
