According to M. Navratilova
"The difference between involvement and commitment is like ham and eggs. The chicken is involved; the pig is committed."
Alas, I was not able to understand the above quote, then I consulted the ODE, which says:
Involvement: The fact or condition of being involved with or participating in something.
Commitment: The state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.
But, after reading those definitions, I still don't understand.
So, what do they mean 'chicken is involved' and 'pig is committed'?
Best Answer
The metaphor here is that since the chicken gives up its eggs to make ham and eggs, it is not sacrificing itself for the meal, but still contributes to the meal and so is involved. By contrast, the pig must sacrifice its flesh (the ham) and hence must be committed to producing the meal.
The point of the metaphor, as I take it, is to emphasize the different levels of emphasis implied by saying you're "involved" in something as opposed to "committed" to it. Presumably sacrificing your own flesh would take much more than simple involvement!