Value Education - Humility

Dear Students,

Greetings and a warm welcome to all of you.


The theme of the day is 'Humility'.


You must have heard the phrase 'Humility wins the race'. The phrase means that a person who is humble and gentle is sure to reap success in life. Humility means humble or modesty while its opposite is arrogance. We all know that arrogance is an undersirable quality that no one likes. Let me ask you, would you be happy to meet an arrogant and a haughty person? Clearly, your answer will be, No. Just imagine, if you are one such arrogant person, what will be your fate? 

Humility is not a defeatist thought or an attitude anymore. It takes a lot of courage to be humble and gentle rather than being arrogant and boisterous. Today when there are so many arrogant and haughty people around us, it is a welcome change to meet a humble person. A humble person is well grounded does not let the air of superiority to adversely affect him and acquire undesirable qualities. Whenever a humble person meets others he puts everyone at ease and makes them comfortable in his presence. It is, however, quite natural to acquire an arrogant attitude when a person feels that he is superior to others in so many ways. This happens when a feeling of high headedness takes over. The superiority of  a person may stem from a high social postion, wealthy background, huge material resources or even vast knowledge. A person may even feel arrogant out of a talent that he may possess. A person becomes arrogant because he thinks others are inferior to him in so many ways.

This feeling of superiority does more harm than any good to the person who is arrogant. This person may not be able to behave, interact and communicate freely with others since he thinks others are not worth as they are inferior. An arrogant person, might lose temper frequently and therefore may not not remain in control of himself.    

There are many reasons why we attach a high premium to this quality. Remaining grounded in spite of possessing vast knowledge or a high social position is the sign of humility. Speaking and dealing others with respect and in a polite manner in turn wins respect and acclaim.    

Some characteristics of a humble person.

• The person uses decent language and does not talk rudely with others
• The person never lets his temper to control him.
• The person is a natural leader
• The person has vast amount of courage. 
• The person does not take offence when others point out his mistakes   
• The person is always decently behaved and gentle towards others.

Exercise Questions.

Q1 Why do we put so much emphasis on the humility?

Q2. Give an example from everday life which you think displays humility.