You can always be a worse version of "him", or better version of yourself.

My comments:

This is an advice warning “you” against trying to do what “he” does all the time. In other words, you’ve got to learn to be yourself and be comfortable in your own skin, as they say.

Version is a copy of an original. It’s changed slightly but essentially it’s the same thing. Apple, for example, is said to be contemplating selling cheaper versions of its iPhones in China. Those gadgets will be lacking in features and overall quality but essentially are the same – they’re still iPhones.

However, cheaper versions are cheaper – worse versions.

In the same way, if a person copies the words, manners and behavior of another, he can best be a worse version of that person. A lot of people try to sing Teresa Teng’s songs, for instance, but none are going to be as good as she was.

Perhaps there’s something really admirable in another person. No matter, you can do what other people do if you put your mind to it – in your own way.

You, therefore, are supposed to improve yourself and be a better you every day.

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Go to Zhang Xin's column

本文僅代表作者本人觀點，與本網立場無關。歡迎大家討論學術問題，尊重他人，禁止人身攻擊和發布一切違反國家現行法律法規的內容。

About the author:

Zhang Xin（張欣） has been with China Daily since 1988, when he graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University. Write him at: zhangxin@chinadaily.com.cn, or raise a question for potential use in a future column.