Humility...

What's Your Definition?

from JoeUser Forums
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? ;)
misc
10,765 views 26 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top

Humility to me is described in the LaoTzu and Blaise Pascal quotes (which I'm terribly impressed you came up with, btw....the more I get to know you, the more I'm impressed by you!).

I've been told I'm humble...but I feel like I'm bragging when I say that, so how humble can I really be if I go around telling people that I'm humble? Hmm...

 

Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
the more I get to know you, the more I'm impressed by you!.

Quit that! I'm trying to cultivate humility here! ... I like you too, btw

I love the Blaise Pascal one. So simple, yet true.


how humble can I really be if I go around telling people that I'm humble?

I won't hold it against ya. *s* From what I've seen of your posting, you are humble. You get your point across without putting others down... you try to see the best in them and you treat all with respect. I admire that.
Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top

I've been told I'm humble...but I feel like I'm bragging when I say that, so how humble can I really be if I go around telling people that I'm humble? Hmm...

Gee!  That is exactly how I feel at times.  If you take pride in your humility, are you then not being arrogant?  This one can keep the dog chasing his tail for a very long time.

Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Gee! That is exactly how I feel at times. If you take pride in your humility, are you then not being arrogant?


That's exactly what I mean!!!

For the record, I think that both HC and yourself are pretty humble folks. If you weren't, I wouldn't like you half as much as I do....
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
For the record, I think that both HC and yourself are pretty humble folks. If you weren't, I wouldn't like you half as much as I do....


Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw... thanks, dharma!
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw... thanks, dharma!

Now I feel bad for calling her a Ga'ould.

Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
it's difficult to be humble when your never wrong.

hahahahahahahahaha
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
Now I feel bad for calling her a Ga'ould.


A what? I've seen that term several times now... still don't get it. Enlighten me?
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top

A what? I've seen that term several times now... still don't get it. Enlighten me?

It is from Stargate.  It is a parasitic host that inhabits human bodies.  The larvas incubate in the abdomens of Jaffa.  I called her that after she posted a picture of her surgery. 

It was under humor and she did get a laugh out of it.

Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
It is from Stargate. It is a parasitic host that inhabits human bodies. The larvas incubate in the abdomens of Jaffa. I called her that after she posted a picture of her surgery.


Aaaaaaaah. I remember now... and EEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWW.
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
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?


I think humility is one of the most endearing and wonderful traits to have. A lot of my ideas about humility are biblical (although I am no longer Christian). I think Jesus Christ was an excellent example of humility in speech and in actions.

And not to "church up" your thread, but I want to share some biblical quotes that I think are useful for understanding true humility:

Matthew 6:3 - 4

1"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret.

Of course, I don't believe in heavenly reward, but I do believe that this describes humility quite well. It's doing what is kind and helpful and loving without seeking attention or reward.

Matthew 23: 12

12For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Even without the religious connotations, this verse seems very true in life. When you are proud and arrogant, people will seek to bring you down.

Proverbs 11: 12

2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.

I take this as a simple way of noting that the prideful will be brought down by others, but humility allows us learn and grow because we are not so arrogant to think that we have no room to learn and grow.

Apologies if the scriptures were inappropriate for this thread.

I think humility is a fascinating topic and a trait worth admiring. It's difficult because we feel that if we don't let people know how great we are, or the wonderful thing that we did, then they won't notice and we receive no reward.

However, in addition to being lifted up by those who DO notice and admire our quiet works instead of being trashed by those who abhor our arrogance, doing something kind or helpful for someone else without drawing attention to it turns it into a delicious secret that you can keep for yourself.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
Apologies if the scriptures were inappropriate for this thread.

Scriptures will never be inappropriate in my threads. Thanks!


...I am no longer Christian.

Do you mind my asking what changed your thinking? You can answer in e-mail if you don't want to post it here (if you care to share at all, that is). [email protected]



I think Jesus Christ was an excellent example of humility in speech and in actions.

I absolutely agree. Hands down, He was THE example of humility... "...the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matt. 20:28)

doing something kind or helpful for someone else without drawing attention to it turns it into a delicious secret that you can keep for yourself.

It sure does. It's wonderful to see the joy someone else receives even when... no, especially when they don't know who to thank for the blessing. Renews faith in mankind, and in God (for many).
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
I called her that after she posted a picture of her surgery.
It was under humor and she did get a laugh out of it.


This is what caused him to do it:


It's looking a lot better than that now....
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
It's looking a lot better than that now....


I'm glad... you're feeling well too? I remember you talking about how great the scar is doing... and about the tat.
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
Aah... just found further proof, doc. Link
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top

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).

Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
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.
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
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.
Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top
humility is like knowledge: true possession of either comes only when you realize how LITTLE you have of each.
Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top

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!)

Reply #21 from JoeUser Forums Top

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!

Reply #22 from JoeUser Forums Top
"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.
Reply #23 from JoeUser Forums Top
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.
Reply #24 from JoeUser Forums Top

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.

Reply #25 from JoeUser Forums Top
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