Embracing Humility
Humility is the virtue that we should possess but not lay claim to or boast about. As soon as you boast about it, you lose it.
“Be mindful of humility: the gale that breaks the pine does not bruise the violet.” Austin O’Malley
Humility has been described by some scholars as the bedrock of all the other virtues. It is Augustine of Hippo who said “Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues: hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance.” For us to live an inspired harmonious life, we should embrace humility, which will enable us to assess our capabilities rightly without conceit, so that we can utilize the gifts or talents we have and mitigate the weaknesses we have. Humility also enables us to perceive others correctly and understand them thus fostering harmony.
According to the Greater Good Magazine article How Humility Will Make You the Greatest Person Ever, humble people “see life as a school, recognizing that while none of us is perfect, we can, without negatively impacting our self-esteem, work on our limitations by being open to new ideas, advice, and criticism.” The article adds that “Nascent research suggests that this lovely quality is good for us individually and for our relationships. For example, humble people handle stress more effectively and report higher levels of physical and mental well-being. They also show greater generosity, helpfulness, and gratitude—all things that can only serve to draw us closer to others.”
Humility means we are aware of our strengths and weaknesses. It enables us to also realize that others have their own strengths and weaknesses, therefore we should not look down on them. This is the ability to make a good judgment about our abilities and those of others without being conceited. As Charles Spurgeon said, “humility is to make a right estimate of one’s self.” A fable is told of a boastful oak tree that looked down on reeds. On the bank of a river, there stood a tall and strong oak tree near to some reeds. The oak tree was very proud of its strength and size. He often used to make fun of the weak and slender reeds.
One day, as a wind started blowing, the oak tree, as usual, said mockingly “Oh! Reeds you move to and fro even with the slightest breeze.” The reeds kept quiet and continued to sway back and forth. “Look at me. I am so strong and mighty. Nothing can uproot me or bend me” boasted the oak tree.
The wind got furious and turned into a hurricane. The little reeds prevented themselves from getting uprooted by bowing their heads and swaying with the rhythm of the wind. But the oak tree which stood straight and tried fighting the hurricane wind was soon uprooted and thrown into the river.
Humility is one of the virtues that has a double edged promise tied to it. The promise is that he who humbles himself or herself will be exalted but whoever exalts himself or herself, will be humbled. This was said by Jesus when he told the story of guests choosing seats of honour and he advised them otherwise.
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