A great man is always willing to be little. A saying like this might just compel us to question some of our most deeply-held beliefs in a world where no one is truly satisfied with their status or monetary possessions. The quote comes from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Essay called “Compensation” which was published among a collection of other essays in 1841.
What is the meaning of the Quote?
In his essay, Emerson talks about a concept of success that at first glance may seem counterintuitive. In every generation, success or greatness is often gauged by how much recognition, praise, possession, or knowledge one has accumulated. Emerson offers a different perspective:
As long as all that is said is said against me, I feel a certain assurance of success. But as soon as honeyed words of praise are spoken for me, I feel as one that lies unprotected before his enemies… As the Sandwich Islander believes that the strength and valor of the enemy he kills passes into himself, so we gain the strength of the temptation we resist.
Essays, first series by Ralph Waldo Emerson
While many may argue that society’s measures of success are based on fairly logical assumptions – and these assumptions may even be appropriate, they pay little attention to one critical value that can lead to a happy and successful life: Humility.
Emerson`s Views on Humility
Different cultures, religions, and beliefs may have their own slight variations of what it means to be humble, but often there is one thing that everyone can agree on: humility is a combination of an individual`s thoughts and actions which are in direct opposition to pride and arrogance. For many, it may take courage to be humble, especially when humility is something that is far below one’s personal hierarchy of values.
Emerson knew that while it is important to understand one’s own values and act based on them, nothing is ever black and white or set in stone. People don’t always get what they want, neither are they able to get the praise from everyone else. The acceptance of this reality takes humility. Emerson viewed humility as strength rather than weakness. Strength that may show itself when one is weak, lacking, humiliated, or has little control over the things that happen in life.
Our strength grows out of our weakness. The indignation which arms itself with secret forces does not awaken until we are pricked and stung and sorely assailed. A great man is always willing to be little.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Examples of Humility in History
Throughout history, many individuals have possessed certain qualities and advantages that allowed them to position themselves above the rest. Some of these qualities and advantages have been achieved through hard work and determination while others are the result of luck or prosperous upbringing such as being born wealthy or possessing innate talents reserved only to a lucky few. In any case, when greatness becomes part of one’s identity, the practice of humility may not be very appealing. As Muhammad Ali once said, “It’s hard to be humble when you’re as great as I am.” Struggling to stay humble in such circumstances can be deemed natural. However, not everything is as cut-and-dried as it seems. History gives us a good example that humility is a virtue that can lead to a better and more fulfilling life.
Ever since he was a young man, George Washington – the man who would become the First President of the United States, always believed that he was destined for greatness. This fueled a desire and ambition that eventually led to a distinguished military career. He was charismatic, popular, and irresistible to women. He was also fearless in battle. When death and defeat loomed over many, he repeatedly found ways to turn the tides of soldier`s morale among the ranks.
But as soon as honeyed words of praise are spoken for me, I feel as one that lies unprotected before his enemies Ralph Waldo Emerson
While often being portrayed as someone who exudes a calm demeanor, Washington was an ardent, passionate man with a fiery temper. Due to his many deeds and accomplishments that began to accumulate at an early age, he became prone to arrogance and vanity. He was so consumed by his ambitions that he often allowed it to get the best of him. As he grew older, he gradually realized that more modest approaches are always better than ones fueled by ambition. He began to understand that true greatness and success are not achieved when deeds are done merely for praise or recognition. He realized that the more he served for the cause of justice and freedom, the more valuable, honorable, and worthy his accomplishments become. This mindset allowed him to refrain from abusing power despite having many opportunities to do so. Washington’s leadership is considered to be a great example of how humility and doing things for the right reasons are what make a man truly great.
The Dangers of False Modesty
Many individuals pursue greatness for the right reasons. Some want to provide security for their families. Some are passionate about making other people’s lives better. But as we achieve success in our endeavors, we must be careful not to let our ambitions get the best of us lest we risk falling into the dangers of pride and false humility when we start thinking that we are somehow above other people who achieved less.
False modesty is the very opposite of true humility. It is when one puts on an appearance that emanates humility but in fact does this out of self-serving reasons. Its only goal is to further increase the accumulation of praise and recognition for their virtuous public display. The one distinction that separates false humility from true virtue is intent . One must keep in mind that true humility is selfless. It values the needs of others more than one’s own.
How to Humble Yourself
Throughout history we have already seen what arrogance and ego-driven ambition is capable of. We’ve seen how it can affect families, communities, and even entire countries. In a world where there is a plethora of different perspectives, humility is a virtue that can allow us to better communicate and discuss our points of view with others. It allows us to be honest and open-minded rather than be absorbed in our own beliefs. Instead of worrying too much about the inevitable challenges of life, practicing humility liberates us from excessive fear of failure, defeat, and humiliation.
Focusing on serving and being more understanding towards others helps us cultivate humility and break the cycle of self-focus. It allows us to better accept different perspectives and opinions and avoid defensiveness that is often counterproductive. Empathy is also one of the key traits of a good leadership. It allows one to see past own interests and place a higher value on the welfare of others. Only through humility can we understand that true greatness can come in the service of others.