reconstruction of an old notion.

             I used to think of a humble man as someone who was stripped of all confidence, strength, backbone, and who donned more of an air of timidity and self-consciousness than that of a man seasoned with wisdom, integrity and courage.  If he had any, he hid it.   But observation, time, experience, books, have contributed to reshaping my thoughts on this.    I've been in groups before where there was that percentage who had an acute eagerness to supply the answer to any question, be the best at the activity, know the most on any given topic.  Now, the answering of the question, the striving to do well, the amount of knowledge one has and the desire to discuss would not be things separating the humble from the proud; rather, i believe it to be the eagerness.  It's that felt drive and energy compelling the person to perform, to prove.  So what about the humble man then?  Does he sit idly by with folded hands and fake diffidence? does he refuse to engage in competitions, debates, races, challenges? does he back down simply to avoid the possibility of appearing proud?  No. All that should be encouraged.  The difference is that the humble man would be confident and satisfied enough in his own knowledge, opinions, standards and achievements that when he does engage in these things he would not do so with the purpose of proving to others the abilities he recognizes in himself.  When he arm wrestles it will not be for the purpose of proving to the surrounding bystanders that he has enough strength to win;  he would do it for the sheer pleasure in the challenge itself and for the reward of satisfying himself if he wins. That when he participates in conversations it will not be for the chance of showing what he knows and even when the opportunity arises to display his knowledge on the matter, he could be content to listen to another expound on the subject instead of feeling compelled to take the floor himself, though he might have expressed it better.  That when he is reproved he will take the reproof and consider it;  that he will be thankful for the person caring enough about him to 'wound' him as a friend; that, instead of bristling in self-defense and attempting to justify himself, he would use it to help shape himself into a man that is better than he is.  'A humble man will learn, but you cannot teach a proud man anything, for he believes he already knows it.'  I look at the men in my life I esteem the most and recognize one thing that sets them apart as Great Men.  Humility.  I tend to think and write on things I myself struggle with and hope to grow in.  This is definitely one of them.

   C.S. Summed it up nicely in his words:  'Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call 'humble' nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody.  Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him.  If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily.  He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.'