“Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call “humble” nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all”. (Quote from CS Lewis’, Mere Christianity).
The Origin of the word ‘humble’ comes from the Latin word humus meaning ground, this over time changed to humulis, meaning low or lowly, and ultimately becoming humble (middle english).
Dictionary.com describes the word humble as the quality of being modest. While humbleness can also mean the state of being or feeling, low in rank as in “the humbleness of his upbringing accustomed him to living simply”. Humility only refers to having a modest opinion of oneself. Other dictionary definitions accentuate humility as low self regard and sense of unworthiness. Even there we see a change in meaning. So the question arises where do we measure from, or in other words how do we measure up and to whom? In religious and philosophical traditions humility is regarded as a virtue that prioritises social harmony, not pride, nor low self esteem but equality. When we focus on the last sentence we come to the conclusion that humility goes two ways; how we perceive humility in ourselves and humility toward others (how we see others).
Romans 12:3 (HCSB), “For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one”. Don’t think more of yourself than you ought. See yourself and others as God sees you. Do we see ourselves as undeserving, unworthy, pond scum in other words, grovelling in the dirt. Or do we see ourselves as God sees us: the result of his artistic skill and craftsmanship, created in his likeness and image. This is not a reason to become haughty and prideful towards others because then we might have to eat humble pie… But recognise giftings and talents that others possess, particularly those that surpass one’s own, and give due honour and where required; obedience. At the same time to recognise the limits of one’s own talents, ability and authority as recognised as spiritual giftings in the Bible for the building up of one another.
Is being humble good or bad? As we see above in religious and philosophical traditions humility is regarded as a virtue that prioritises social harmony, not pride, nor low self esteem but equality. But where pride sticks up its nose we see disharmony and no equality, even to the point of discrimination, think of WWII where Nazi Germany promoted themselves so much that they called themselves the “Ubermensch”, the blond Arian race, above and beyond everyone else. This brought with it humiliation (which is an imposition often external of shame upon a person) for the Jews, Gypsies etc. On the other hand we see false humility, to make one self lower than you are. This might only serve to pamper the other person’s pride, unworthy flattery.
Phil 2:3,4 (Mirror), “No hidden agenda with a compromised mixture of leaven or empty philosophical flattery can match that genuinely values others above oneself. To discover your own completeness in Christ frees you to turn your attention away from yourself to others”. 2 Cor 5:16a, “Therefore from now on, I no longer know anyone according to the flesh. I no longer see people from a human point of view”. Romans 12:16 also from the Mirror, “Esteem everyone with the same respect; no one is more important than the other. Associate yourself rather with the lowly than with the lofty. Do not distance yourself from others in your own mind”.
What do some other religions say about being humble and humility? Islam advocates a life of humility. In Hinduism, humility is a lack of arrogance and pride while in other streams within Hinduism it is recognised as a feeling of oneness with everyone and everything else in the universe, without inferiority or superiority or other bias, is the mark of humility. Buddhism cultivates humility by the wisdom acquired by the experience of ultimate emptiness and non-self. Compassion and wisdom are intrinsic parts of the state of enlightenment. Mahatma Gandhi saw humility as an essential virtue that must exist in a person for other virtues to emerge, it’s a starting point of all other things like love, truth etc. Meher Baba says the power of humility is to overcome hostility. It is a strength not a weakness. It disarms antagonisms and ultimately conquers it. The importance of being humble is to serve others. One of the most difficult things to learn is to render service without bossing, without making a fuss, and without any consciousness of high and low. We can bring this all together in a couple of sentences: Love God above all and your neighbour as you do yourself. Then we would look to one another as part of the Oneness. Valuing and treating each other without partiality. Not thinking more or less of ourselves or others, and this all for the good of all of creation.