Lord, where we are wrong, make us willing to change; where we are right, make us easy to live with.
—Peter Marshall
Humility is the ladder to divine understanding.
—Unknown
Modesty forbids what the law does not.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
It’s always well to be the smartest thinker, but is won’t get you very far unless you’re the plainest talker.
—Unknown
Humble men and women do not have a low opinion of themselves; they have no opinion of themselves, because they so rarely think about themselves. The heart of humility lies in undivided attention to God and a de-selfing of our plans, projects, ambitions and soul. Humility is an indifference to our own well-being and a carefree disregard of the image we present. No longer concerned with appearing to be good, we can move freely in the mystery of who we really are, aware of the sovereignty of God and of our absolute insufficiency and yet moved by a spirit of radical self-acceptance without self-concern.
—Brennan Manning (1934–2013) American Theologian, Author
I can’t tell you if genius is hereditary, because heaven has granted me no offspring.
—James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834–1903) American Painter, Etcher
It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
There are two kinds of egotists: Those who admit it, and the rest of us.
—Laurence J. Peter (1919–90) Canadian-born American Educator, Author
If there is anybody in this land who thoroughly believes that the meek shall inherit the earth they have not often let their presence be known.
—W. E. B. Du Bois (1868–1963) American Sociologist, Social Reformer
The man who thinks he can live without others is mistaken; the one who thinks others can’t live without him is even more deluded.
—Hebrew Proverb
Modern science has been a voyage into the unknown, with a lesson in humility waiting at every stop. Many passengers would rather have stayed home.
—Carl Sagan (1934–96) American Astronomer
Humility is to have a right estimate of one’s self—not to think less of himself than he ought.—The higher a man is in grace, the lower will he be in his own esteem.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) English Baptist Preacher
So rare is the union of beauty with modesty.
—Juvenal (c.60–c.136 CE) Roman Poet
There is no vice, of which a man can be guilty, no meanness, no shabbiness, no unkindness, which excited so much indignation among his contemporaries, friends and neighbors, as his success. This is the one unpardonable crime, which reason cannot defend, nor [can] humility mitigate.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
Ornaments were invented by modesty.
—Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French Writer, Moralist
Those who are believed to be most abject and humble are usually most ambitious and envious.
—Baruch Spinoza (1632–77) Dutch Philosopher, Theologian
Mental toughness is many things. It is humility because it behooves all of us to remember that simplicity is the sign of greatness and meekness is the sign of true strength. Mental toughness is spartanism with qualities of sacrifice, self-denial, dedication. It is fearlessness, and it is love.
—Vince Lombardi, Jr. (1913–70) American Football Player, Coach
Humbleness is always grace; always dignity.
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
Modesty seldom resides in a breast that is not enriched with nobler virtues.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
There is something in humility which strangely exalts the heart.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
Humility and love are the essence of true religion; the humble formed to adore; the loving to associate with eternal love.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
The sufficiency of my merit is to know that my merit is not sufficient.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
Be it ever so humble, there’s no opinion like one’s own.
—Unknown
Humility is the genuine proof of Christian virtue.—Without it we keep all our defects; and they are only crusted over by pride, which conceals them from others, and often from ourselves.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast.
—Jane Austen (1775–1817) English Novelist
No sex, age, or condition is above or below the absolute necessity of modesty; but without it one vastly beneath the rank of man.
—Bruce Fairchild Barton (1886–1967) American Author, Advertising Executive, Politician
The superior man is modest in his speech but exceeds in his actions.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
That is the consolation of a little mind; you have the fun of changing it without impeding the progress of mankind.
—Frank Moore Colby (1865–1925) American Encyclopedia Editor, Essayist
No truly great person ever thought themselves so.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Blushing is the color of virtue.
—Diogenes Laertius (f.3rd Century CE) Biographer of the Greek Philosophers
I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was.
—Muhammad Ali (1942–2016) American Sportsperson
If you would have people speak well of you, then do not speak well of yourself.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
I have sounded the very base-string of humility.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
True humility is intelligent self respect which keeps us from thinking too highly or too meanly of ourselves. It makes us modest by reminding us how far we have come short of what we can be.
—Ralph Washington Sockman (1889–1970) American United Methodist Pastor
If you are right, take the humble side—you will help the other fellow. If you are wrong, take the humble side—and you will help yourself.
—Unknown
Modesty: The art of encouraging people to find out for themselves how wonderful you are.
—Unknown
Humility is attentive patience.
—Simone Weil (1909–1943) French Philosopher, Political Activist
When we become aware of our humility, we’ve lost it.
—Unknown
I don’t like to write like God. It is only because you never do it, though, that the critics think you can’t do it.
—Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) American Author, Journalist, Short Story Writer
Elevated levels of confidence are omnipresent among history’s greatest overachievers. Benjamin Franklin, one of the most famous men in the world even before he signed the Declaration of Independence once lamented about humility, “I cannot boast of much success in acquiring the reality of this virtue”.
—John Eliot (b.1971) American Psychologist, Academic
The humbleness of a warrior is not the humbleness of the beggar. The warrior lowers his head to no one, but at the same time, he doesn’t permit anyone to lower his head to him. The beggar, on the other hand, falls to his knees at the drop of a hat and scrapes the floor to anyone he deems to be higher; but at the same time, he demands that someone lower than him scrape the floor for him.
—Carlos Castaneda (1925–98) Peruvian-born American Anthropologist, Author
Most of us retain enough of the theological attitude to think that we are little gods.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841–1935) American Jurist, Author
Without humility there can be no humanity.
—John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir (1875–1940) Scottish Novelist, Politician, Diplomat
If only I had a little humility, I’d be perfect.
—Ted Turner (b.1938) American Businessperson, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist
If thou desire the love of God and man, be humble, for the proud heart, as it loves none but itself, is beloved of none but itself. Humility enforces where neither virtue, nor strength, nor reason can prevail.
—Francis Quarles (1592–1644) English Religious Poet
Never seem wiser, nor more learned, than the people you are with. Wear your learning, like your watch, in a private pocket: and do not merely pull it out and strike it; merely to show that you have one.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
The height of cleverness is being able to conceal it.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
If every fool wore a crown, we should all be kings.
—Welsh Proverb
Talking much about oneself can also be a means to conceal oneself.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
Modesty is the gentle art of enhancing your charm by pretending not to be aware of it.
—Oliver Herford (1863–1935) American Writer, Artist, Illustrator