On Humility

Humility has often been called the “Mother of all virtues.” So how do we attain it?

For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Mt 16:25 

Humility “consists in keeping oneself within one’s own bounds, not reaching out to things above one, but submitting to one’s superior” (Summa Contra Gent., bk. IV, ch. lv, tr. Rickaby).

I often think of it as not seeing yourself as less, but seeing yourself less.

In this way, one recognizes who one is. Nothing. Well, that is a bit dramatic, but in light of God, in a way it is beautiful. Man, so small and imperfect, yet so blessed and full of potential. We deserve nothing, yet receive much. So frail that a disease or a glass of milk can affect us severely. So brilliant and skilled to build skyscrapers and invent technology. 

What is the purpose of striving for greatness when it is devoid of a true goal? What are riches worth when one has no friends? Acclaimed by all, but loved by none.

There’s much more to life. It can all be so simple. What truly brings us happiness sometimes is a good meal, a laugh, friends, sunsets, the stars. What draws people to us and us to them is their kindness and virtue. None of it matters anymore, only productivity and vanity. 

I remember when I was younger, I thought I would prefer being poor and happy than rich and miserable. Still rings true in some regards. The idea is to not reach for things too lofty, so far that they make you forget who you are. We’ve lost humility and think too much of ourselves. We are but frail beings who only wish to love and be loved. Do not forget to love. Do not set your eyes on goals of vanity. If you do, you’ll soon realize it is lonely at the top. Think of how you will be remembered. Not by riches, but by your virtue. 

If humility is truly such a great virtue, practice it. Rather, permit God to give you grace to acknowledge yourself rightly before Him. Not as meaningless, but with meaning rightly ordered to Him. 

See yourself less.