[Nfbk] The Virtue of Humility

[Joey Couch]

"The Virtue of Humility"

In his autobiography, Benjamin Franklin tells of his strong desire to
develop a worthy character. To do this, he made a list of the 12
virtues he most wanted to achieve and then came up with a systematic
plan to practice each one. After learning of the plan, a friend
suggested that he add one more virtue to his list, one that many felt
he needed. He agreed and added—humility.1 Later on in life, Benjamin
Franklin wrote that it was the virtue of humility that allowed him to
have such great influence for good.

As St. Augustine said: “Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You
plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of
humility.”2

Humility is not the exclusive possession of any particular class or
type of people. Anyone can be humble. We can start by carefully
listening to what others have to say. A humble person knows that we
all have a lot to learn and that we can learn something meaningful
from almost anyone. A person with humility sets aside personal
interests in favor of careful attention to the needs and wants of
others. A humble person doesn’t care who gets the credit, as long as
the right thing is done.
As Ben Franklin tried to be humble, he found that he was less inclined
to judge others before hearing them out. He was less likely to argue
that his opinion was the only one that could be right. He was more
gentle in his efforts to persuade others and more open to new ideas.

It’s hard to know if you’re humble—it’s a lifelong quest, but if you
truly look upon others as equals, if you try to think of those around
you before yourself, and if the feelings of other people really matter
to you, then you are likely well on your way to developing the virtue
of humility.



1. See The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (1895), 162–64.
2. In Everett L. Worthington Jr., Humility: The Quiet Virtue (2007), 48.


-- 
Joey Couch
phone 606-216-8033.
email ki4vjd at gmail.com
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