We explain what humility is and what is the origin of this human quality. Also, how is the virtue of humility.
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What is humility?
Humility is a quality that implies detachment from the material and helping others . For that reason, it is one of the most valuable qualities a person can have , and a very important virtue when living in society.
A humble person is able to demonstrate modesty and set aside the self to care for others. A humble person is not selfish or self-centered , does not focus on his or her own person and achievements or seek to stand out from others. In this way their actions are objective and do not get carried away by the subjective.
Humility is difficult to find today , when we live in a society that exceeds selfishness, where people live concerned about the material, success, money and power .
Many religions consider humility as one of the most important virtues that human beings must follow . In Christianity, Jesus is a model of humility and is in fact considered the king of the humble , so those who follow his doctrine must also be faithful to this conception. Both the dedication to the other and the love of neighbor are pillars within Catholicism.
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Where does the word humility come from?
The word humility comes from the Latin word humilitas , which in turn has the root humus which means land in Latin. With regard to this consideration, the word humility has to do with our ability to accept our limitations and weaknesses. It also relates to submission and performance.
Humilitas derives from the word humilis , which means humble, and at the same time from the verb humiliare , which is related to prostrating on the earth with another’s dominion over the person in question. In this sense it is related to the earth, since in the past it was considered that emotions, depressions and desires were generated by irregularities in the bodies of water .
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The virtue of humility
Whoever is humble knows his own limitations and weaknesses. It is able to downplay personal achievements and recognize their defects and errors.
The famous Spanish writer of the Golden Age has said that humility is the basis and foundation of virtues, since without it there is no one that is. By this it means that humility is the basis of all virtues, who is humble is virtuous and capable of generating other virtues.
Humility is opposed to arrogance , since whoever is humble is not pretentious, interested or selfish as if he is a renter who practices arrogance. A superb man does things for convenience, a humble does them for the love of the other.
A humble being is able to relate to others in a more peaceful and noble way. It is unlikely that he will become a leader and his task may be difficult within a social environment such as being a company . But their links will be more stable and durable.
A person who is rather dominant and has a selfish or self-centered character will not achieve such a close bond with another person as someone who is interested in the welfare of others over his own. The humble person is able to put aside his own good to seek that of others and that generates in others a feeling of attachment and gratitude.
