Humility...

What's Your Definition?

Published on August 19, 2005 By HC1240 In Misc

I've heard several different definitions of humility recently. Maybe not technical definitions, but examples...

Some see humility as a weakness... yet don't we respect the humble and avoid those who are arrogant?

What defines humility for you? Is there someone in your life who has modeled this characteristic in a way that made you understand it in a different way? Or who was a prime example of humility? Is there a catchphrase you associate with humility?

How about these:

True humility is standing back and while someone else gets the applause for what you've done.

"Do you wish people to think well of you? Don't speak well of yourself."
~Blaise Pascal

"The sufficiency of my merit is to know that my merit is not sufficient."
~Augustine

"Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less."
~Unknown

"[Humility is:] Greatness in plain clothes"
~Spencer W. Kimball

"When we become aware of our humility, we've lost it."
~Unknown

"Humility leads to strength and not to weakness. It is the highest form of self-respect to admit mistakes and to make amends for them."
~John J. McCloy

"I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize. The first is gentleness; the second frugality; the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others. Be gentle and you can be bold; be frugal and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others and you can become a leader among men."
~Lao-Tzu

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I'd like to be humble... but what if noone notices?

Comments (Page 2)

Dr Guy

on Aug 20, 2005

Aah... just found further proof, doc. Link

Proof? Yea, I can be a jerk. But thanks for the link. Now I have to find the message (I get about 250 a day, 95% spam! I have been on the internet for 15 years now).

HC1240

on Aug 20, 2005

Nah... this is what I was talking about...

"Doc... you just earned your wings...PowerSaint(new nik for you)

Naw! Just a green! The eco warriors say there is too many toxins in old computers. I am jsut recycling!"

(I can't seem to quote to save my life here. Works sometimes, and sometimes I just see the text with the quote tags.

Gideon MacLeish

on Aug 20, 2005

The best definition of humility I ever heard is one a pastor friend of mine gave his then 9 year old daughter:

"humility is when you see yourself as God sees you".

To me, that has always included strengths as well as weaknesses (pretending you aren't gifted in an area where you are is false humility and just as annoying as egotism, in my book).

That being said, I'm not a very humble person. I've got a long way to go in that department.

Gideon MacLeish

on Aug 20, 2005

humility is like knowledge: true possession of either comes only when you realize how LITTLE you have of each.

Dr Guy

on Aug 20, 2005

I can't seem to quote to save my life here. Works sometimes, and sometimes I just see the text with the quote tags.

That is what it did to me using Netscape. SO I switched back to IE (blecch!)

Dr Guy

on Aug 20, 2005

humility is like knowledge: true possession of either comes only when you realize how LITTLE you have of each.

Damn! You just made me use up my last insightful of the day!

HC1240

on Aug 20, 2005

"humility is when you see yourself as God sees you".

Ah... found this one too. Possibly he was paraphrasing? "True humility is not an abject, groveling, self-despising spirit; it is but a right estimate of ourselves as God sees us." (Tryon Edwards)

To me, that has always included strengths as well as weaknesses (pretending you aren't gifted in an area where you are is false humility and just as annoying as egotism, in my book).

Exactly!

humility is like knowledge: true possession of either comes only when you realize how LITTLE you have of each.

The more I know, the more I realize I don't know.

That is what it did to me using Netscape. SO I switched back to IE (blecch!)

But.. but... I'm using IE.

Thanks anyway.

Gideon MacLeish

on Aug 20, 2005

Ah... found this one too. Possibly he was paraphrasing? "True humility is not an abject, groveling, self-despising spirit; it is but a right estimate of ourselves as God sees us." (Tryon Edwards)

He was quite likely paraphrasing with the best definition HE had found. Thanks for the quote.

Dr Guy

on Aug 20, 2005

But.. but... I'm using IE. Thanks anyway.

Dump your cookies and all files. Patch it (use Microsoft Update site). Reboot. It will come back.

HC1240

on Aug 20, 2005

Oh Lord, its hard to be humble...when yer perfect in every wayyyyyyyyyyyI can't wait to look in the mirror, cus I get better looking each dayyyyyyyyTo know me is to love me...I must be one hell of a (wo)man...Oh Lord, it's hard to be humbleBut I'm doin' the best that I cannnnnnnnn.

ROFL!! Memories! My dad directed a camp in the summers when I was little. One of the counselors (still remember him - his name was Guy and he reminded me of Tom Selleck) used to sing this all the time... so forgive me if I'm picturing you with your head back, hand over your heart, belting away!

Oh, and how many egotists does it take to change a lightbulb?Only one. He holds it still while the world revolves around him.

Clever...

How about these?

What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself. ~Abraham Lincoln

A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle. ~Benjamin Franklin

If I only had a little humility, I would be perfect. ~Ted Turner

Don't talk about yourself; it will be done when you leave. ~Wilson Mizner

HC1240

on Aug 20, 2005

ROFLMBO........... thank you! Craaaaaaaaaaackin' up!

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