virgin islands scene

Without a rich heart, wealth is an ugly beggar.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
 

 

Thursday, October 5, 2000

Humility

When you think you know it all, there’s not much that you’ll learn. If you become too impressed with your own importance, you’ve already begun to lose your advantage.

Humility is a sign of true courage and confidence. Those who are unsure of themselves are the ones who must prop up their egos with loud and arrogant boasts. What a waste of effort! Those who are confident enough to act with humility are the ones who get things done.

When you can admit that you don’t know it all, you set yourself up to learn valuable things. When you act with respect and deference toward others, you win their sincere, enthusiastic respect in return. Humility is not backing down. It is moving forward past your own petty ego.

Acknowledging your limitations is a crucial step toward transcending them. Live with humility and you’ll truly live beyond yourself.

— Ralph Marston

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