When you are as great as I am it is hard to be humble.
—Muhammad Ali (1942–2016) American Sportsperson
There is something in humility which strangely exalts the heart.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
Too much humility is pride.
—German Proverb
Those who honor themselves will be humbled, but people who are humble themselves will be honored.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
The street is full of humiliations to the proud.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Even if you be otherwise perfect, you fail without humility.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
For the most part, I do the thing which my own nature prompts me to do. It is embarrassing to earn so much respect and love for it.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
Do not make yourself so big, you are not so small.
—Yiddish Proverb
Humbleness is always grace; always dignity.
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
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
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
A modest man is usually admired, if people ever hear of him.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
He that places himself neither higher nor lower than he ought to do exercises the truest humility.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
It wasn’t until quite late in life that I discovered how easy it is to say “I don’t know!”
—W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) British Novelist, Short-Story Writer, Playwright
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
Lord, where we are wrong, make us willing to change; where we are right, make us easy to live with.
—Peter Marshall
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
Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in the blood of his followers and the sacrifices of his friends.
—Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969) American Head of State, Military Leader
A vain man finds it wise to speak good or ill of himself; a modest man does not talk of himself.
—Jean de La Bruyere (1645–96) French Satiric Moralist, Author
The more humble a man is before God, the more he will be exalted; the more humble he is before man, the more he will get rode roughshod.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
Something in human nature causes us to start slacking off at our moment of greatest accomplishment. As you become successful, you will need a great deal of self-discipline not to lose your sense of balance, humility, and commitment.
—Ross Perot (1930–2019) American Businessman
Only those who feel little in the eyes of God, can hope to be mighty in the eyes of men.
—Ernst Moritz Arndt (1769–1860) German Poet, Patriot
He that humbleth himself wishes to be exalted.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
Be wise; soar not too high to fall, but stoop to rise.
—Philip Massinger (1583–1640) English Playwright
There is no true holiness without humility.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Modesty is the lowest of the virtues, and is a real confession of the deficiency it indicates. He who undervalues himself is justly undervalued by others.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Lord Bacon told Sir Edward Coke when he was boasting, The less you speak of your greatness, the more shall I think of it.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Nothing can be further apart than true humility and servility.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Humility is indeed beatness, a compulsory virtue that no one exhibits unless he has to.
—William S. Burroughs (1914–97) American Novelist, Poet, Short Story Writer, Painter
Truly, this world can get on without us, if we would but think so.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic