Meekness facts for kids
Meekness is a special quality where someone is gentle, patient, and humble. It means being kind and calm, even when things are difficult or when others are not. It's not about being weak, but about having strength and control over your feelings and actions, especially when dealing with other people.
Meekness is different from just being humble. Humility is about how you see yourself, like not thinking you're better than others. Meekness, though, is about how you treat others. It means being gentle and understanding with them.
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Meekness in Different Beliefs
Christianity
In Christianity, meekness is seen as a very important quality, often linked to Jesus.
- When Jesus was being crucified, he prayed for the people who were hurting him. He said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." This shows great meekness and forgiveness.
- The Apostle Paul taught about meekness. He wrote that a servant of the Lord should be gentle, patient, and able to teach others with meekness, even those who disagree.
- Sir Thomas Browne, a writer, said that "Meekness takes injuries like pills, not chewing, but swallowing them down." This means that a meek person can let go of insults or offenses without getting upset.
- Meekness is mentioned in the Beatitudes, which are blessings taught by Jesus. It says, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." This means that gentle and patient people will be truly blessed.
- John Stott, a famous speaker, explained that meekness is not weakness. He said it's "the gentleness of the strong, whose strength is under control." This means meek people are strong, but they use their strength in a gentle and controlled way.
Other Traditions
Many other traditions and beliefs also value meekness.
- In Buddhism, meekness is highly valued. There's a story about the Buddha in an earlier life, where he was called the "Preacher of Meekness." He patiently allowed a jealous king to cut off his limbs without complaining. This shows extreme patience and non-violence.
- Taoism, an ancient Chinese philosophy, teaches about being flexible and not arguing. It values qualities like giving in and not fighting back, which are similar to meekness.
- In the Book of Numbers from the Bible, it says that Moses was "very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." This highlights his gentle and humble leadership.
- In Islam, there's a concept called faqr, which means "poverty" in a spiritual sense. It's about not wanting wealth or fame, and not relying on other people for things. Instead, a person with faqr relies only on God. This shows a deep form of humility and meekness.
Meekness in Animals
Sometimes, animals are used to explain meekness.
- The classical Greek word for meekness was also used to describe a horse that had been tamed and bridled. This means the horse, though strong, had learned to be gentle and follow commands.
- The buffalo was seen by Buddhists as a lesson in meekness, showing how a powerful animal could be calm and gentle.
Meekness in Stories
Meekness is often a trait of characters in books.
- In the novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles, the main character, Tess, is described as having a meek nature.
- In the book Possession: A Romance, the heroine thinks of the hero as "a gentle and unthreatening being. Meek, she thought drowsily, turning out the light. Meek."
Criticisms of Meekness
Not everyone agrees that meekness is always a good thing.
- The famous composer Beethoven believed in the power of those who are excellent. He thought that "Power is the moral principle of those who excel others," suggesting he didn't value meekness as much as strength and achievement.
- The philosopher Nietzsche also disagreed with meekness. He saw it as a way for weaker people to try and control stronger, more powerful individuals.
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