THE VIRTUE OF HUMILITY By JOHN FAITH ONYINYECHI M.

According to the Oxford dictionary, humility is defined as the quality of having a modest or low view of one's importance. Religiously, humility is an appreciation of oneself, one's talents, skills, and virtues. It is not meekness or self-deprecating thought, but the effacing of oneself to something higher. It is not to think lowly of oneself but to appreciate the self one has received A quote reads thus: “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” Explaining further, this means that humility should not be taken for low self-esteem, feelings of inferiority, self-degradation or timidity as they are worlds apart. Low self-esteem makes you feel less of your self while humility makes you think of yourself less.

There's something about humility. It has a way of lifting you up and setting you aside from other people. It's not because you don't have but it's because what you carry doesn't need to be announced. People say every good thing has its bad sides. However, this saying doesn't go in line with humility. Humility takes you to the good sides of the bad things of life. Humility is widely seen as a virtue by various people which centers on low self-preoccupation, or unwillingness to put oneself forward. The concept of humility exists in many religious and philosophical traditions. It contrasts with narcissism, hubris and other forms of pride and is an idealistic and rare intrinsic construct that has an extrinsic side.

Remember the saying that pride goes before a fall? Yes, it's no exaggeration. Starting a conversation by saying "in my humble opinion" is nothing but pride in disguise. Even the Holy book says " God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble". People who are truly humble and true to their humility rejoice with other people and in the progress, they make in life. The moment you begin to have second thoughts about a person's progress and think ill of them, then you know that you do not practise the real humility. Being humble regardless of your status does not come without benefits. As a matter of fact, there are lots of gifts wrapped up in brown paper packages and tied up with strings. You'll unconsciously get elevated by people who see the humility in you. There's this peace that comes with being humble as opposed to pride. So why not choose to be humble and let others uplift you today?

Remember, Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist, there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance. —St. Augustine

ABOUT THE WRITER 

John Faith Onyinyechi M.

 OS/ 19B/1667