se worthy. But, at the highest, _emulation_ is
inferior as a motive to _aspiration_, which seeks the high quality or
character for its own sake, not with reference to another. _Competition_
is the striving for something that is sought by another at the same
time. _Emulation_ regards the abstract, _competition_ the concrete;
_rivalry_ is the same in essential meaning with _competition_, but
differs in the nature of the objects contested for, which, in the case
of _rivalry_, are usually of the nobler sort and less subject to direct
gaging, measurement, and rule. We speak of _competition_ in business,
_emulation_ in scholarship, _rivalry_ in love, politics, etc.;
_emulation_ of excellence, success, achievement; _competition_ for a
prize; _rivalry_ between persons or nations. _Competition_ may be
friendly, _rivalry_ is commonly hostile. _Opposition_ is becoming a
frequent substitute for _competition_ in business language; it implies
that the competitor is an opponent and hinderer.

Antonyms:

carelessness, contentment, humility, indifference, satisfaction.

* * * * *

AMEND.

Synonyms:

advance, correct, meliorate, rectify,
ameliorate, emend, mend, reform,
better, improve, mitigate, repair.
cleanse, make better, purify,

To _amend_ is to change for the better by removing faults, errors, or
defects, and always refers to that which at some point falls short of a
standard of excellence. _Advance_, _better_, and _improve_ may refer
either to what is quite imperfect or to what has reached a high degree
of excellence; we _advance_ the kingdom of God, _improve_ the minds of
our children, _better_ the morals of the people. But for matters below
the point of ordinary approval we seldom use these words; we do not
speak of _bettering_ a wretched alley, or _improving_ a foul sewer.
There we use _cleanse_, _purify_, or similar words. We _correct_ evils,
_reform_ abuses, _rectify_ incidental conditions of evil or error; we
_ameliorate_ poverty and misery, which we can not wholly remove. We
_mend_ a tool, _repair_ a building, _correct_ proof; we _amend_
character or conduct that is faulty, or a statement or law that is
defective. A text, writing, or statement is _amended_ by the author or
by some adequate authority; it is often _emended_ by conjecture. A
motion is _amended_ by the mover or by the assembly; a constitution is
_amended_ by the peop