Meaning of humility (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Humility:

Humility is a human virtue attributed to someone who has developed an awareness of their own limitations and weaknesses, and works accordingly. Humility is an opposite value to pride.

The meaning of humility is related to its etymological origin. As such, the word comes from the Latin humilĭtas , which in turn comes from the root humus , which means 'land'. Therefore, three senses emerge:

• humility as a value, humility as a socioeconomic origin, humility as submission.

Humility as a value

Humility as a value refers to a quality of the person who "lowers" himself in front of others, because he recognizes the equal dignity of each human being as they all come "from the earth". This last sense makes humility an attitude related to the virtue of modesty.

Humility can be a human quality independent of economic or social position: a humble person does not claim to be above or below anyone, but knows that everyone is equal, and every existence has the same degree of dignity.

Hence, being humble does not imply letting yourself be humiliated, since humility does not imply a renunciation of your own dignity as persons. How is the value of humility applied in daily life?

For example, Acknowledging mistakes to others is an act of humility. A person who acts humbly does not have superiority complexes nor does he need to constantly remind others of his successes and achievements; much less does he use them to trample on the people around him.

Whoever works with humility does not boast of his actions. On the contrary, he rejects ostentation, arrogance and pride, and prefers to exercise values ​​such as modesty, sobriety and restraint.

Characteristics of humility

As a virtue, humility has a series of manifest characteristics in behavior. Some of those characteristics are:

• Understanding the equality and dignity of all subjects; Valuing work and effort; Recognizing although relativizing one's own virtues; Recognizing one's limitations; Expressing oneself with affability; Acting with modesty, simplicity and restraint; Perceiving social relationships from a horizontal perspective; Listening to others and take their opinions into account; genuinely respect others.

Humility as an economic source

The economic position of the poor and disadvantaged (land poor) is often associated with the word humility. A humble person, in this sense, is someone who comes from a home with few resources and no greater chance of prospering.

For example, the phrase "Juan has a humble origin" means that the person was born into a family with few economic resources.

Humility as submission

In certain contexts, humility can refer to the attitude of one who submits or surrenders to the authority of a higher instance.

For example, in religions, submission is associated with fear of God and submission to his will.

In this sense, behaving with humility also implies avoiding arrogant attitudes towards a chief or a police authority and, rather, opting for compliance.

Humility in the Bible

According to Christian doctrine, humility is the virtuous attitude that must be observed before God, before his superiority and perfection, and in full awareness that it was He who has granted the grace of existence.

Thus, in Christianity, humility implies recognizing one's own smallness before the mystery of life, accepting the equal dignity of all human beings, and submitting to the will of God, appreciated as good, pleasant and perfect. In this sense, the Bible advises:

"Put on humility towards others, because God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble"
I Peter 5, 5.

Humility, then, calls the conscience to understand that human beings are all equal in the eyes of God. In fact, the greatest example of humility in Christian doctrine is the figure of Jesus Christ. In this regard the Bible says:

"Let there be in you, then, this feeling that was also in Jesus Christ, who, being in the form of God, did not consider being equal to God as a thing to cling to, but instead stripped himself, took the form of a servant and became like men. Furthermore, being in the condition of man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, and death on the cross ”
Philippians 2, 5-8.

See also:

• Pride, modesty.