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Humility does not mean thinking less of yourself than of…

“Humility does not mean thinking less of yourself than of other people, nor does it mean having a low opinion of your own gifts. It means freedom from thinking about yourself one way or the other at all. . . . The humility which consists in being a great deal occupied about yourself, and saying you…” quote by William Temple
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““Humility does not mean thinking less of yourself than of other people, nor does it mean having a low opinion of your own gifts. It means freedom from thinking about yourself one way or the other at all. . . . The humility which consists in being a great deal occupied about yourself, and saying you are of little worth, is not Christian humility. It is one form of self-occupation and a very poor and futile one at that.””

William Temple

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Humility is not self‑deprecation but freedom from self‑obsession, focusing on others rather than self‑importance.

In simple terms: Humility means not obsessing about yourself.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate self‑less focus.

Themes

humility self‑awareness spirituality

Mood

reflective calm

Type

philosophical spiritual

When to use this quote

  • leadership
  • counseling
  • personal growth
  • community service

Key Concepts

ego self‑occupation Christianity

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance self‑respect with humility?
  • What habits keep you from self‑obsession?
A Different Perspective

Over‑emphasis on humility can become self‑denial, hindering healthy self‑esteem.

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