In many religious traditions, humility is praised as an important virtue, especially because of its interrelatedness with other virtues and prescribed behaviours. Humility makes us more willing to be kind and patient with others and to forgive more easily. It also makes us more open to the possibility of God or something else transcendent that exists beyond our normal awareness.
In the Abrahamic traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, humility is a common theme, as followers are supposed to constantly remind themselves of their humility in comparison to the majesty of God. Humility also promotes social equality, keeping egos in check and preventing people from elevating themselves too highly over others. Islam is mainly known for its emphasis on humility, especially as it is manifested in unique clothing and coverings worn by women, though it also applies to men.
Humility in Hinduism and Buddhism is seen clearly in the lives of monks who wear simple clothing, treat everyone with kindness, and often rely on donations from the community for their meals. In leading by example, these monks help laypeople to remember to practice humility in their lives as well.
Humility is essential because it helps us to be more compassionate and understanding of others. When we are humble, we are more likely to see the world from other people’s perspectives and to be more forgiving of their mistakes. Humility also helps us to be more open to learning and growing. When we are humble, we are more likely to admit that we don’t know everything and allow ourselves to learn from others.
Christianity:
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
–The New Testament (Matthew 23:12), Christian scripture
Hinduism:
“Humbleness; freedom from hypocrisy; non-violence; forgiveness; simplicity; service of the Guru; cleanliness of body and mind; steadfastness; and self-control; dispassion toward the objects of the senses; absence of egotism; keeping in mind the evils of birth, disease, old age, and death; non-attachment; absence of clinging to spouse, children, home, and so on […]—all these I declare to be knowledge, and what is contrary to it, I call ignorance.”
–The Bhagavad Gita (13:8-12), Hindu scripture
Confucianism:
“It is a shameful matter to be poor and humble when the Way prevails in the state. Equally, it is a shameful matter to be rich and noble when the Way falls into disuse in the state.”
—The Analects, Confucian text
Baha’i:
Humility, kindness, resignation, and all these spiritual attributes emanating from great physical strength are acceptable to God.”
—‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Baha’i leader
Islam:
“Your Lord has commanded that you should worship none but Him, and that you be kind to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say no word that shows impatience with them, and do not be harsh with them, but speak to them respectfully and lower your wing in humility towards them in kindness and say, ‘Lord, have mercy on them, just as they cared for me when I was little.’ Your Lord knows best what is in your heart.”
—Qur’an (17:23-25), Islamic text
Sikhism:
“O Nanak, humility and sweetness
Are the essence of virtue and goodness.
It is the lowly that have goodness and true worth.
He that bows before all, before all will bow.”
–Guru Nanak, Sikh founding prophet
Judaism:
“The Lord detests dishonest scales,
but accurate weights find favor with him.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.
The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.”
–The Hebrew Bible (Proverbs 11:1-3), Jewish scripture
Buddhism:
“An analogy for bodhichitta is the rawness of a broken heart. Sometimes this broken heart gives birth to anxiety and panic; sometimes to anger, resentment and blame. But under the hardness of that armor there is the tenderness of genuine sadness. This is our link with all those who have ever loved. This genuine heart of sadness can teach us great compassion. It can humble us when we’re arrogant and soften us when we are unkind.”
– Pema Chödrön, Buddhist nun