"The Greek word for humility, Tapeinótis, is related to Tapis (carpet), and means slight elevation, modesty. The word for pride yperifanía, which also means disdain, is related to yperímos, which signifies nearly deserted. By transposing these definitions to our field of work, we observe the following: the first type, the modest person, places himself in the position of servant to what exists; that is, he places himself in contact with reality. The second type, the disdainful person, adopts a position of withdrawal, of hauteur; he rejects truth. Being humble means being genuine for the word “humble” describes the person who is “down to earth”, the person who lives within the limits of what exists. Alienation is the act of raising oneself to a position of superiority (thus, far from what is real), which we call arrogance." Dr. Norberto Keppe
In today's world, people think that to be humble is to be a person who is weak, incapable, submissive, inferior and innocent. In fact, to be humble is to be a strong, just and realistic person in the environment in which you live.
The arrogant individual can´t see his reality, doesn´t value his own qualities. In not valuing himself, in rejecting and hiding his limitations and weaknesses, he lives in a delirium, which causes him a lot of emotional, mental and even physical suffering due to anger, fear, dissatisfaction, guilt and loneliness. In addition, he wastes many opportunities for personal and professional development.
In looking at the state of the world today, we can see how arrogance generates conflicts, violence, injustice, wars, corruption, among other terrible consequences for humanity.
The humble individual, on the other hand, sees reality as it is because he recognizes and values his qualities and knows how to deal with, correct and learn from difficulties. As a result, he knows how to take advantage of opportunities and develops in every way.
Humility is a virtue that we all possess because it is part of our good, beautiful and true essence. It is synonymous with faith, receptivity, openness to new ideas and improvement, dialogue, respect and the recognition that we are created by God, the only truly powerful Being. Humility, therefore, brings us peace, gratitude, satisfaction, well-being, health, happiness and growth.
Mahatma Gandhi: example of a leader who showed the importance of humility and truth to the world
The leader, pacifist and revolutionary Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869 - 1948) received the honorary title of Mahatma (from Sanskrit: "great soul") for taking on the cause of the poor, oppressed and wronged of his country, at that time a highly exploited British colony. Faced with this suffering, he created, organized, and led a movement that aimed, at first, to prevent the government from taking away the basic rights of the population through the principle of peaceful, provocative and active resistance: the Satyagraha (in Sanskrit: force of truth), which abominated any kind of violence.
In addition to a political strategy, Gandhi developed the Satyagraha to be a universal solution to injustice, something applicable in interpersonal and political conflict, and he considered it essential to be taught to all. Among its principles, the following stand out: non-violence, truth, work, courage, respect and altruism.
He led large peaceful protests, strikes, boycotts and fasts, was arrested several times from the 1920s to the 1940s and yet maintained his example of humility, discipline and authenticity, returning dignity, courage, hope to the Indian people and promoting a peaceful union between them, both Hindus and Muslims, to fight together for the same cause: the independence of India, which was finally achieved in 1947.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi (1869 – 1948), lawyer, pacifist, nationalist, anticolonialist and called The Father of the Nation by the Indian people.
From: KEPPE, Norberto da Rocha. Liberation. São Paulo: Proton Publishing House, 2016.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Reflection:
How do you see and practice humility in your day-to-day life?
Comment below.
My reflection, humility, the person has to be what he is, and not to be what he is not, that is, in other words, the Being has to live in reality is the most important and not the fantasy that, however, destroys the Being.