Humility – a 14th century word from the Latin humilitas
Humility – a state of being humble
Humility – a modest opinion of one’s self-importance
Humility – demureness, down-to-earthness, humbleness, lowliness, meekness, modesty, submissiveness
Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less. (C. S. Lewis, novelist)
I claim to be a simple individual liable to err like any other fellow mortal. I own, however, that I have humility enough to confess my errors and to retrace my steps. (Mahatma Gandhi, leader)
Humility and knowledge in poor clothes excel pride and ignorance in costly attire. (William Penn, statesman)
I don’t have a set of tenets, but I live an ethical life. I practice a humility that presupposes there’s a power greater than myself. And I always believe, don’t inflict harm where it’s not necessary. (Michael J. Fox, actor)
If I could I would always work in silence and obscurity, and let my efforts be known by their results. (Emily Brontë, author)
Personally, I rather look forward to a computer program winning the world chess championship. Humanity needs a lesson in humility. (Richard Dawkins, scientist)
I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize. The first is gentleness; the second is 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, philosopher)
What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself. (Abraham Lincoln, U.S. President)
Consider the rights of others before your own feelings, and the feelings of others before your own rights. (John R. Wooden, college basketball coach)
Who is more humble? The scientist who looks at the universe with an open mind and accepts whatever the universe has to teach us, or somebody who says everything in this book must be considered the literal truth and never mind the fallibility of all the human beings involved? (Carl Sagan, scientist)
Enjoy this video with more wisdom from Carl Sagan about humility.
Great words, tonight, Frank. Thanks.
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Elyse,
Many thanks.
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“I practice a humility that presupposes there’s a power greater than myself.” Sounds kinda like Step 2. ;o)
Joe
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Joe,
That’s good guidance. 🙂
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Thanks. Great review of humility. . . and Carl Sagan too. He is one of my favorites. Reason for humility, to be sure–he is a smart guy.
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Patti,
Sagan’s words continue to amaze me … and when I saw this video, I knew I had to use … but then had to determine how.
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I loved these quotes. I kept trying to pick a favorite, but I couldn’t. This world could use a little more humility.
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Carrie,
I know what you mean … thus maybe the reason I didn’t ask to pick a favorite. Given human behavior, I imagine that the world needing more humility is probably a given for much of human time.
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Thank you for these tonight Frank.
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Val,
You are very welcome.
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Frank, oh you know I’m loving this post. This was one of my words even. I love your choice of quotes. Like Carrie, it’s hard to pick a favorite. They’re all superb shining a light on humility, which can’t be done enough! I enjoyed the Carl Sagan video. It’s quite amazing.
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Amy,
Glad you enjoy this post. .. and the world just can’t have enough humility!
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An excellent collection, Frank.
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Guapo,
Many thanks.
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This is a good post… a bit of an eye opener… thank you…
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Bulldog,
Sagan’s words usually are eye opening to many!
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Great post, Frank. Love the Lao Tzu quote especially. And the Sagan video = marvelous. I dreamt of the Milky Way the other night – both inspiring and humbling 🙂
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Lynn,
Dreaming about the Milky Way must have been interesting. Thanks for sharing your favorite post.
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Great subject, Frank! [loved the C.S. video, Cosmos was my favorite show!!!]
If I may humbly[!] add one more I found that made me laugh:
“If anyone tells you that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make excuses about what is said of you but answer, “He was ignorant of my other faults, else he would not have mentioned these alone.” ― Epictetus
🙂
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Marina,
That is a fabulous quote … and one that offers wisdom and humor. Thanks for sharing!
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Your posts “On Humility” and “On A Nonruling Farro” have improved my life.
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Tim,
This may be the first sentence I’ve ever seen relating farro and humility.
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One of my all-time favorite posts of yours Frank. A really great one. Thought provoking.
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Mobius,
This post must be tapping into your philosophical side. Thanks for the kind words.
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Good thoughts………thanks.
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Bella,
Glad you enjoyed these.
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I love the quote from CS Lewis. I think our generation has somewhat lost of art of practising humility. It’s a refreshing trait to see in anyone xx
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Spiced,
Good quote pick … I wonder if the human world (as a whole) ever had the art of humility.
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What a great post, Frank. I liked the one by Abraham Lincoln. Right now I’m steeped in his wisdom and personality while reading “Team of Rivals.” I think he had healthy form of humility that made it possible for him to accomplish all that he did.
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Cathy,
I know my wife loved the book … and I appreciate your point about Lincoln’s humility.
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Wonderful…..I love so many of these…Lincoln..So many people I would like to have met…I would have liked to just sit quietly and listen and watch….all of these…such great minds…
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Suzanne,
Tough to pick a favorite … but agree, would it be great to listen to great minds … let alone conversing with them.
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Wonderful quotes on humility, Frank, and definitely food for thought.
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Paradise,
Creating thinking was my goal in this post.
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Beautiful post, Frank … enjoyed listing to the video and his voice.
I will give my favorite quite about …. humility.
“If only I may grow: firmer, simpler, quieter, warmer.”
Dag Hammarskjold
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Viveka,
Glad you enjoyed this one … and MANY thanks for the wonderful quote!
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You know I’m all inf favor of us being kind to easy other … and be humble .. even I have have difficult with the last bit. Not easy to be humble when being close to perfect *laughing – right so, Frank, it’s a beautiful quote. Has always stayed with me.
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Kindness is a something that doesn’t cost anything!
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Totally agree with you, Frank …
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I like the Abraham Lincoln quote about how the skunk is its own undoing! My husband has one of John Wooden’s books he reads over and over. It’s on leadership, and Jay quotes Wooden quite often. He was a remarkably humble man with great leadership strength. You’ve given a good list of thoughts worth contemplating, Frank. 🙂
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Debra,
The variety of people is one of the things I like about this list … and I simply wanted to stimulate thinking while showcasing the video.
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Leave it to Sagan to firmly, and unflinchingly, put things in proper perspective.
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Alex,
As you well know, Sagan has a wonderful gift of saying/writing the right things.
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You’ve collected a bunch of prize winners here.
Too bad so many schools don’t do those “thoughts for the day” or ask kids to memorize sayings anymore – so much to be gained from inspirational words – and exposure to great thinkers
thanks
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Mouse,
I used to have a saying of the day on the board. Interestingly, students would comment on them, especially when they really like it. …. and I imagine there still are teachers who do that.
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Frank you always have something posted that inspire my day. And these humility quotes and the video was just what I needed this morning
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Kay,
This was a fun post to put together. I first found the video … like it … then had to find a way to showcase it … and this works!
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I suppose that the words “Leader” and “humility”, together, would be too much to expect. If only those who control us, or try so hard to, could have a large dose of Sagan’s magnificent humility. Got a post coming up which touches on this. 😕
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Archon,
I don’t think too many people would argue that point!
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Fantastic quotes, Frank.
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Cuttlefish,
Glad you enjoyed them … but there were many choices.
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love that video – Carl Sagan is awesome!
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Charlie,
When I saw that video, I knew I had to use it!
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Well, that’s the first bit of Voltaire I have ever heard/read. Loved the “you are here” – omg…
Awesome post. Like the other: brilliant.
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Noeleen,
The video sparked the post. I tagged it, then had to figure out the text. Glad you enjoyed it.
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