Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for December 29, 2021

Has Rat figured out a way to get taller?

Rat should build a rocket and then fly to Mars, then boom he’s superior

Sing along with Basil: “Oh lord, it’s hard to be humble . . .”

That should work.

Goat keeps setting up these gags, always suggesting positive things just to have Rat or Pig demonstrate that they will not do them. Goat is not helping.

I tried to improve myself, but stopped when I started turning blue.

Hey, kids. Which two panels are exactly alike?

What rat describes in the last panels is ‘envy’!

I envy him for trying.

Rat got Goat again.

I still would rather work with Rat than the rat I work with here.

But Rat, if you become so superior, you will be the greatest of all time, i.e. the G.O.A.T.! :D

Rat … the icon for all the miserable people in the world.

I mutely enjoy your daily excursion into my Rat mind. Thanks

I use a similar thought pattern to eliminate road rage. As guys, we all think we’re pretty good behind the wheel; so whenever I have to jump on the brakes to avoid some numbskull, I remind myself of “Noblesse Oblige”. That is, those of us with exceptional skill must be forgiving of the rest.

When all your dreams come true, everyone will be jealous. Especially if you get to be with a girl whose way out of your league.

Do you get the same pay when you get four panels out of one drawing?

RAT is delusional in his rationality….

I would never set a goal like that. I’m already superior to everyone else. Some people say I’m conceited, but being conceited is a flaw, and I don’t have any.

Rat is beyond conceited

Hmmmm…condescension or jealousy – tough call!

Whatever happened to “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth”?

Looks like panels 1 & 3 are the same. And panels 2 & 4.

Rat is correct. That IS one way.

Rat-Zen is like no other Zen.

“Becoming so superior” sounds like a lot of work for Rat. He’s more of a “Be so superior” kinda guy.

So basically Rat will forever be jealous of everyone else. He already thinks he’s superior to everyone else, and has for years. But he just admitted he’s trying to become superior to everyone else.

Rat is ever the contrarian, isn’t he?

Rat is secure in his own skin.

And the whole world is not jealous of him!

I think Rat has a lot of company. Or is it competition?