Humility
Humility is having an accurate opinion of oneself, not low self-opinion.
Humility is the quality of being humble and kind. Earlier definitions, like the one in the 1998 Oxford Dictionary, described it as having a "low opinion of oneself" or lacking pride. However, more recent psychological and philosophical views define it as having an "accurate opinion of oneself." This modern understanding includes showing modesty when appropriate, having clear goals, being open-minded, broad-minded, and not imposing one's views on others. Humility also involves a proper sense of self-regard. It can be misunderstood as the ability to endure humiliation through self-deprecation, a mistake that comes from confusing humility with traits like submissiveness and meekness.
The word "humility" comes from the Latin noun *humilitas*, which is related to the adjective *humilis*, meaning "humble," "grounded," or "from the earth," as it derives from *humus* (earth). The word "humble" may also be linked to feudal England, where the least valuable cuts of meat—called "umbles"—were given to the lowest social class after the upper class had taken their portions.
In a religious context, humility can mean recognizing a deity and submitting to that deity as a follower. Outside of religion, humility is defined as being "unselved," or freed from self-consciousness—a form of temperance that avoids both pride (or haughtiness) and self-deprecation. In both religious and philosophical settings, humility is seen as a virtue that prioritizes social harmony, balancing two sets of qualities. This balance involves focusing less on oneself, leading to a proportionate sense of self-importance and reduced arrogance, while still being able to show strength, assertiveness, and courage. This virtue is expressed in efforts to maintain social harmony and in recognizing our dependence on it. It contrasts with maliciousness, hubris, and other negative forms of pride, and is an idealistic, rare intrinsic quality with an extrinsic side.
In Judaism, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks explains that humility is an appreciation of oneself, one’s talents, skills, and virtues. It is not meekness or self-deprecation, but rather setting oneself aside for something higher. Humility does not mean thinking lowly of oneself, but appreciating the self one is. By recognizing life’s mysteries and complexities, one becomes humbled by the vastness of what one is and can achieve. Rabbi Pini Dunner says humili
- Etymology
- From Latin humilitas, related to humilis ('humble', 'grounded', 'from the earth'), deriving from humus (earth).
- Religious Context
- Self-recognition of a deity and submission to that deity; also defined as being 'unselved' or liberated from self-consciousness.
- Virtue Classification
- Regarded as a virtue prioritizing social harmony, balancing reduced self-focus with proportionate self-importance and diminished arrogance, while allowing strength, assertiveness, and courage.
- Opposed Vices
- Pride, maliciousness, hubris, and other negative forms of pride.
- Contrasted Traits
- Submissiveness, meekness, self-deprecation.
Lore & Background
The term 'humility' comes from the Latin noun humilitas, related to humilis, which may be translated as 'humble', 'grounded', or 'from the earth', deriving from humus (earth). The word 'humble' may be related to feudal England, where the least valuable cuts of meat, or 'umbles', were provided to the lowest class. In religious contexts, humility can mean self-recognition of a deity and subsequent submission. Outside of religion, it is defined as being 'unselved' or liberated from self-consciousness, a form of temperance neither having pride nor indulging in self-deprecation.
Reader's Guide
Humility is a virtue that prioritizes social harmony, striking a balance between two sets of qualities: a reduced focus on oneself leading to a proportionate sense of self-importance and diminished arrogance, while also possessing the ability to demonstrate strength, assertiveness, and courage. It contrasts with maliciousness, hubris, and other negative forms of pride. In Judaism, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks states humility is an appreciation of oneself and one's talents, not meekness or self-deprecation, but effacing oneself to something higher. In Christianity, C. S. Lewis writes that pride is the 'anti-God' state, and the opposite of pride is humility. True humility differs from false humility, which consists of deprecating one's own sanctity for praise. Catholic texts view humility as annexed to the cardinal virtue of temperance, restraining inordinate desires. In Islam, the term 'Islam' itself can be interpreted as 'surrender (to God), humility'.
Did You Know?
- The word 'humble' may be related to feudal England, where 'umbles' were the least valuable cuts of meat given to the lowest class.
- Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks states that in Judaism, humility is not meekness but an appreciation of oneself and one's talents.
- C. S. Lewis wrote that pride is the 'anti-God' state, and the opposite of pride is humility.
- The term 'Islam' can be interpreted as 'surrender (to God), humility'.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Humility?
Humility is the emotional quality of holding an accurate, grounded view of oneself while remaining kind and open-minded. Rather than simply lacking pride or holding a low self-opinion, it involves a proper sense of self-regard balanced with modesty and a willingness to listen to others.
What role does Humility play?
Humility functions as a virtue that prioritizes social harmony by tempering arrogance without eliminating strength or assertiveness. It encourages clear personal goals, broad-mindedness, and refraining from imposing one's views on others.
How does Humility's story end?
Humility's arc resolves not through self-erasure but through the recognition that one can be both grounded and courageous simultaneously. The character moves past the misconception that humility means enduring humiliation or constant self-deprecation, landing instead on a balanced, 'unselved' state of self-awareness.
Why is Humility important?
Humility is essential because it bridges the gap between ego-driven pride and destructive self-deprecation, allowing a person to maintain proportionate self-importance while staying open to growth. In religious and philosophical traditions, it is seen as liberation from self-consciousness and a pathway to genuine connection with others.
What is Humility's opposite?
Humility stands in direct contrast to arrogance and excessive pride, where one inflates their own importance and dismisses others. The key distinction is that humility does not require diminishing oneself—it simply removes the distortion of seeing oneself as either infinitely great or infinitely small.
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