The greatest friend of Truth is time, her greatest enemy is Prejudice, and her constant companion Humility.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Should you ask me, What is the first thing in religion?. I should reply, The first, second, and third thing therein—nay, all—is humility.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
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
Modesty is a quality in a lover more praised by the women than liked.
—Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751–1816) Irish-born British Playwright, Poet, Elected Rep
We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility.
—Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) Bengali Poet, Polymath
If I was not a remarkably modest man, I should probably brag a little, and say that I had done what no American ever before accomplished by visiting the queen at her palace twice within eight days.
—P. T. Barnum (1810–91) American Businessperson, Entertainer
With people with only modest ability, modesty is mere honesty; but with those who possess great talent, it is hypocrisy.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
A just and reasonable modesty does not only recommend eloquence, but sets off every great talent which a man can be possessed of; it heightens all the virtues which it accompanies; like the shades in paintings, it raises and rounds every figure and makes the colors more beautiful, though not so glaring as they would be without.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Humanity cannot be degraded by humiliation. It is its very character to submit to such things. There is a con sanguinity between benevolence and humility. They are virtues of the same stock.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
We are approved by God, we don’t have to win the approval of others and look good in their eyes. We are not perfect people. Too many of us take ourselves too seriously and God not seriously enough.
—John C. Maxwell (b.1947) American Christian Professional Speaker, Author, Clergyman
True humility—the basis of the Christian system—is the low but deep and firm foundation of all virtues.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
Do you wish to rise?. Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds?. Lay first the foundation of humility.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
Although modesty is natural to man, it is not natural to children. Modesty only begins with the knowledge of evil.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–78) Swiss-born French Philosopher
Humility is often a false front we employ to gain power over others.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
A sarcastic person has a superiority complex that can be cured only by the honesty of humility.
—Lawrence G. Lovasik
Nothing can be further apart than true humility and servility.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
So rare is the union of beauty with modesty.
—Juvenal (c.60–c.136 CE) Roman Poet
Without humility there can be no humanity.
—John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir (1875–1940) Scottish Novelist, Politician, Diplomat
The humble are in danger when those in power disagree.
—Plato (428 BCE–347 BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Mathematician, Educator
Knowledge, a rude unprofitable mass, the mere materials with which wisdom builds, till smoothed and squared and fitted to its place, does but encumber whom it seems to enrich. Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much; wisdom is humble that he knows no more.
—William Cowper (1731–1800) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
After crosses and losses, men grow humbler and wiser.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Modesty is the conscience of the body.
—Honore de Balzac (1799–1850) French Novelist
Epaminondas, finding himself lifted up in the day of his public triumph, the next day went drooping and hanging down his head; and being asked what was the reason of his so great dejection, made answer: “Yesterday I felt myself transported with vainglory, therefore I chastise myself for it today.”
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
The true way to be humble is not to stoop until you are smaller than yourself, but to stand at your real height against some higher nature that will show you what the real smallness of your greatness is.
—Phillips Brooks (1835–93) American Episcopal Clergyman, Author
The sufficiency of my merit is to know that my merit is not sufficient.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
I saw that we’re all doing the best we can. This is how a lifetime of humility begins.
—Byron Katie (b.1942) American Speaker, Author
Ornaments were invented by modesty.
—Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French Writer, Moralist
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
Talking much about oneself can also be a means to conceal oneself.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer