one's peers

Are we to be judged in comparison with our peers ~ or rather by some absolute measure? But if the latter, do we not need some second measure, by which to judge how we should judge? How else to tell if our criteria match with those which are absolute? Better not to judge, but rather stay silent. If God, Posterity, or even Evolutionary "Fitness" is the only arbiter of greatness, then only after death can greatness be determined. Rather, I live by my own measure, and calculate success accordingly.