The "ego" is described as an inflated version of your "identify or self". This self identity can sometimes become a burden rather than a booster. This doesn't mean our self identity should in any way be in contradiction with our self respect.
Ego is related to Bread. What is bread? Bread is simply wheat and water. The chemical reaction that occurs is that yeast naturally grows and makes the bread "rise" more than what it is. Flat bread (or matzah) is related to the ego.
Humility and self respect do not have to be contradictory. You could look "plain" or flat on the outside while still retaining the foundation of what you are made up as. How is EGO and self respect different? Ego is what can give you insecurity and fear, while self respect is not having to be "right", but knowing you are right. If you know you are right about something, you can forge ahead with your own ideas without having to be the one right, great, or amazing in other people's eyes.
There is no better explanation of this when even the BIGGEST billionaires on the planet see this:
The real question we should be asking:
If atoms are 99.999999999999% empty space then why don't things pass right through them?
The simplest answer: Electrons act as force-fields. Take them away, and most of all matter we see is really looking like "nothing"
BB613
