Humility facts for kids

Representation of "Humility" in a stained-glass window designed by Edward Burne-Jones

Tadeusz Gorecki, Humility

Humility is the quality of being humble. It means not thinking you are better than everyone else. For many religions, humility means recognizing your place in the world and respecting a higher power. Outside of religion, it is about not being too focused on yourself. It is like being balanced – not too proud, but not putting yourself down either.

Humility is different from humiliation. Humiliation is when someone else makes you feel ashamed. Humility, however, comes from inside you. Across many religions and philosophies, humility is seen as a good quality. It means not being obsessed with yourself or always wanting to be in the spotlight. It is the opposite of being overly proud or arrogant.

What Does Humility Mean?

The word "humility" comes from the Latin word humilitas. This word is related to humilis, which means "humble." It can also mean "grounded" or "from the earth." This is because it comes from humus, which means "earth."

The word "humble" might also be linked to old England. There, the lowest cuts of meat were called 'umbles'. These were given to the lowest class of people after the upper classes had taken their share.

Humility in Ancient Stories

In Greek mythology, there was a goddess named Aidos. She was the daimona (goddess) of shyness, shame, and humility. She was believed to be the quality that stopped people from doing wrong things.

Humility in Religions

Many religions see humility as a very important virtue. It is often about understanding your place in the world. It also means showing respect to others and to a higher power.

Abrahamic Religions

Judaism

Maimonides taught that humans are very small compared to the earth and the universe.

In Judaism, humility is about appreciating yourself, your talents, and your skills. It is not about thinking poorly of yourself. Instead, it is about recognizing your gifts and using them for something greater. Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks said that humility means seeing yourself in relation to something higher.

Rabbi Pini Dunner explains that humility means putting others first. It is about valuing other people's worth. He also points out that when we look at the vast sky and the long history of time, we are very small.

The Torah says that Moses was "exceedingly humble, more than any man on the face of the earth." Moses led the Hebrews out of slavery. This shows that humility is a sign of strength, not weakness.

The Hebrew Bible teaches that humility brings many good things. These include honor, wisdom, prosperity, and peace. It also says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (Proverbs 3:34).

Christianity

In Christianity, humility is taught in many parts of the New Testament. For example, Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek" (Matthew 5). He also said, "He who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Matthew 23:12).

Jesus Christ's life and his willingness to suffer are seen as examples of true humility. The Bible says, "Who, when he was reviled, did not revile: when he suffered, he threatened not: but delivered himself to him that judged him justly."1 Peter 2:23

C.S. Lewis wrote that pride is the opposite of God's way. He said pride leads to every other bad habit. In contrast, humility is the opposite of pride. Lewis explained that a truly humble person is not someone who constantly puts themselves down. Instead, they are cheerful and interested in others. They do not think about themselves much at all.

St. Augustine believed that humility is very important for studying the Bible. Both students and teachers need to be humble. This is because all knowledge ultimately comes from God. He argued that only a humble person can truly understand the Bible's truth.

Humility is seen as a way to receive God's favor. The Bible says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (Proverbs 3:34, 1Peter 5:5,James 4:6).

"True humility" is different from "false humility." False humility is when someone pretends to be humble to get praise from others. True humility involves:

• Submitting to God and rightful authority.
• Recognizing and respecting the good qualities and talents of others.
• Knowing your own limits and abilities.

The opposite of humility are vices like pride. Also, being too humble or overly submissive can be bad. It might make others proud or lead to unfair actions.

Catholicism

This Madonna of humility by Domenico di Bartolo shows a humble earthly woman who is also a heavenly queen.

In Catholicism, humility is linked to the cardinal virtue of temperance. Temperance includes virtues that control our desires.

St. Bernard defined humility as "A virtue by which a man knowing himself as he truly is, abases himself." He said Jesus Christ is the best example of humility.

Saint Francis of Assisi greatly valued humility. This led to a style of art called the Madonna of humility. In these paintings, the Virgin Mary sits on the ground or a low cushion. This is different from the Enthroned Madonna where she sits on a throne. This art style became very popular in Italy and other parts of Europe.

St. Thomas Aquinas, a philosopher from the 1200s, defined humility similarly. He said it means "keeping oneself within one's own bounds." It means not trying to reach for things above you, but submitting to those who are superior.

Islam

In the Qur'an, several Arabic words mean "humility." The word "Islam" itself can mean "surrender (to God)" or "humility." Other words like tawadu and khoshou are also used.

The Qur'an says:

The servants of the Merciful are those who walk the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, "Peace."

Successful indeed are the believers, those who humble themselves in their prayers.

Imam ash-Shafi'i said, "The loftiest in status are those who do not know their own status, and the most virtuous of them are those who do not know their own virtue."

Eastern Religions

Buddhism

Buddhism is about self-examination. The goal of a Buddhist life is enlightenment. This is achieved through meditation and other spiritual practices. Humility is both a key part of this practice and a result of it.

Humility is connected to the Four Abodes (Brahmavihara): love-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity. When a person practices these, they gain wisdom. This wisdom comes from understanding emptiness (Śūnyatā) and non-self (Anatta). Humility, compassion, and wisdom are all part of enlightenment.

Not being humble is seen as a barrier to enlightenment. In the Tipitaka (Buddhist scriptures), criticizing others and praising oneself is wrong. But criticizing oneself and praising others is a virtue. Being attached to oneself is also a vice that causes suffering.

In the "Mangala Sutta", humility (nivato) is listed as one of the thirty-eight blessings in life. Famous examples of humility in Buddhist texts include the monk Sariputta Thera and the lay disciple Hatthaka. Sariputta Thera is shown as someone who forgives easily and accepts criticism. Hatthaka was praised by the Buddha for not wanting others to know his good qualities.

Buddhist monks practice humility in many ways. For example, Japanese Soto Zen monks bow to their robes. This reminds them of the connection between their robes and enlightenment. All Buddhist monks rely on laypeople for their needs. This dependence itself is a practice of humility.

Hindu Dharma / Sanathana Dharma

In Sanskrit writings, humility is explained with words like neti, which means "No 'Me'" or "I am not." Other related words are viniti and samniti. The concept of amanitvam is listed as the first virtue in the Bhagwad Gita. Amanitvam means "pridelessness" and "humility." Another related term is namrata, meaning "modest and humble behavior."

Scholars have different views on amanitvam. Prabhupada says it means not wanting praise from others. Jopson explains it as a lack of arrogance and pride. He says it is one of twenty-six virtues that lead to a divine state. Eknath Easwaran writes that the Gita is about "the war within." This is the struggle to control oneself and let go of the ego. The Sanskrit word Ahamkara means the sense of self or ego.

Mahatma Gandhi saw humility as a very important virtue in Hindu Dharma. He believed it was necessary for other virtues to grow. Gandhi said, "Humility cannot be an observance by itself. For it does not lend itself to being practiced. It is however an indispensable test of ahimsa (non-violence)." He also said that true humility is how one feels inside. A truly humble person is not even aware of their own humility.

Swami Vivekananda, a Hindu scholar, said that humility does not mean "crawling on all fours and calling oneself a sinner." In his view, humility means recognizing that every human being is part of the Universal. It means feeling connected to everyone and everything without feeling superior or inferior. Dr. S Radhakrishnan believed that humility in Hindu Dharma is a non-judgmental state of mind. In this state, we can best learn and understand others.

Sikhism

In Sikhism, all people are equal before God. So, there should be no ranks or differences between people. Guru Nanak taught that the main goal of human life is to reconnect with Akal (The Timeless One). However, egotism (Haumain) is the biggest obstacle. By following the guru's teachings and remembering nām (the divine Word), egotism ends.

Humility brings peace and joy. Humble people continue to meditate on God. The God-conscious person is full of humility. Sikhism sees humility as a way to approach God.

Sikhs also believe in equality for all faiths. They think "all religious traditions are equally valid." Besides sharing with others, Guru Nanak taught people to earn an honest living. He also stressed the need for remembering God's name. Guru Nanak said that living an "active, creative, and practical life" of "truthfulness, self-control and purity" is better than just a life of thinking.

Baba Nand Singh Ji

Baba Nand Singh Ji Maharaj is known as a very humble Sikh Saint. His teacher, Baba Harnam Singh Ji, once said about him:

"Rikhi Nand Singh holds in His hand Infinite Divine Powers. By just opening His fist He can create as many such-like universes as He likes and by closing the same fist can withdraw all those universes unto Himself.

But the whole beauty is that being the supreme Repository of all the Infinite Divine Powers, He claims to be nothing and is so humble."

—Baba Harnam Singh Ji Maharaj

Baba Nand Singh Ji Maharaj was extremely humble. He showed humility even though he had great spiritual power.

Sri Guru Arjan Sahib says in Sukhmani Sahib:

"Brahm Giani Sab Shresht Ka Karta
Brahm Giani Sad Jiwe Nahin Marta
...
Brahm Giani Ka Sagal Akar
Brahm Giani Aap Nirankar."Translated it means: A true Brahm Giani is the creator of the whole universe. Brahm Giani lives through eternity; He never dies.Brahm Giani pervades the whole manifest creation. Brahm Giani is Himself the formless Universal Lord.

—Sri Guru Granth Sahib, 273

Baba Narinder Singh Ji said, "He who is the Highest is the Lowest. Highest in the Lowest is the Real Highest."

Meher Baba

The spiritual teacher Meher Baba believed that humility is a key part of a devoted life. He said, "Upon the altar of humility we must offer our prayers to God." Baba also described how humility can overcome conflict. He stated, "True humility is strength, not weakness. It disarms antagonism and ultimately conquers it." He also emphasized being humble when helping others: "One of the most difficult things to learn is to render service without bossing, without making a fuss about it and without any consciousness of high and low. In the world of spirituality, humility counts at least as much as utility."

Taoism

In Taoism, humility means not trying to be first or in charge of everything. It also means not rushing into situations before you are ready. Humility is one of the three treasures (virtues) for those who follow the Tao. The other two are compassion and frugality.

The treasure of humility in Chinese is a phrase: Chinese: 不敢為天下先; pinyin: Bugan wei tianxia xian. This means "not dare to be first/ahead in the world." Ellen Chen explains that this Taoist way helps avoid an early end. Being first can make you vulnerable. Staying behind and being humble allows you to grow and succeed fully. This fear of losing one's life, out of love for life, is key to Taoist wisdom.

The Tao Te Ching (77.4) also says that a wise person acts without claiming the results. They achieve their goals but do not boast about it. They do not want to show off their superiority.

Wicca

In many Wicca traditions, four balanced qualities are taught as coming from the Wiccan Goddess. These are:

"...let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you."

—Doreen Valiente, The Charge of the Goddess, prose version

This teaching pairs being honorable with being humble. In Wicca, humility is balanced by its partner virtue.

Philosophical Views of Humility

Immanuel Kant

Kant saw humility as a way for a moral person to see themselves correctly. It means understanding that you are dependent and flawed, but also capable and worthy. Kant's idea of humility relies on truth and rational thought.

Mahatma Gandhi suggested that trying to uphold truth without humility would become an "arrogant caricature" of truth.

While many religions and philosophers see humility as a good thing, some have criticized it. They see it as being against individualism.

Arthur Schopenhauer wrote, "No doubt, when modesty was made a virtue, it was a very advantageous thing for the fools, for everybody is expected to speak of himself as if he were one."

Nietzsche thought humility was a trick used by the weak to avoid being crushed by the strong. In Twilight of the Idols he wrote: "When stepped on, a worm doubles up. That is clever. In that way he lessens the probability of being stepped on again. In the language of morality: humility." He believed his ideal person, the Übermensch, would be proud of their strength. They would not pretend to be humble, but they also would not be overly proud or boastful.

Humility and Leadership

Recent studies suggest that humility is a quality found in certain types of leaders. For example, Jim Collins found that "level 5" leaders have both humility and strong determination. Humility is being studied as a trait that can make leaders more effective. Research shows that humility involves self-understanding, openness, and the ability to see things from different perspectives.

See also

• Humiliation
• Intellectual humility
• Cultural humility
• Madonna of humility
• Moral character
• Aidos, Greek goddess of shame, modesty, and humility.