Definitions: (1) modest or meek in temperament; free from pride or vanity; (2) respectful
Synonyms: unassuming, unobtrusive, unpretentious
Familial Quality: humor
Too Far: arrogance, conceit, haughtiness, the humble brag
Quotes:
• Lay first the foundation of humility. — Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430) Roman theologian
• Many who are first shall be last, while the last shall often be first. — Jesus of Nazareth (7 bc–30 ad) Jewish preacher
• The sage has no interest of his own, but takes the interests of the people as his own. He is kind to the kind; he is also kind to the unkind: for Virtue is kind. He is faithful to the faithful; he is also faithful to the unfaithful: for Virtue is faithful. — Lao-tse (6th Century bc) Chinese theologian
Prayer: We humbly ask God (as we understand the concept) to remove our shortcomings. — Number seven of the Alcoholics Anonymous twelve-step program. {Founded 1935}
Observation: Adding humility to your character traits will greatly reduce negative pride. But how to acquire humility. A sure-fire way to gain humility is to see yourself in relation to a greater reality. This could be God or nature or even physics. But it has to be someone or something you respect and cannot help but be very impressed with. Once a person sees themselves in a larger context, they will have the ability (and maybe the will) to see themselves as they truly are.
We may feel humility when:
• We are favored with an honorific and express, “I am humbled by this recognition.”
• We see our own limits compared with an accomplished hero we wish to emulate.
• We are unable to do what we once found normal due to age, illness, or accident.
• We have to assume a limited status due to cast, race, gender, etc.
• We feel our smallness in the face of the vastness of the infinite.
• We cast a line into the future to someday glean the reward.
• We accomplish some lofty goal we have been striving for.
• We recognize the limits of our current personal capacity.
• We are faced with a value we have failed to live up to.
• We come face to face with true beauty (nature or art).
• We comprehend a great and profound thought.
• We get a glimpse of the Cosmic Possibilities.
• We experience a deep sense of belonging.
• We realize we are truly loved.
• We are treated unjustly.
Symbol: shoes