Admitting Quote by Nancy Gibbs
“Modesty means admitting the possibility of error, subsuming the self for the good of the whole, remaining open to surprise and the gifts that only failure can bring. There are many ways to practice it. Try taking up golf. Or making your own bagels. Or raising a teenager.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander, 2000
Modesty involves recognizing one's fallibility, prioritizing collective benefit, and staying receptive to unexpected lessons, especially from failure.
In simple terms: Admitting mistakes and valuing the group over self.
Key Takeaway
Embrace humility and learn from setbacks.
Themes
humility
learning
collective good
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- team projects
- parenting
- skill acquisition
- creative pursuits
Key Concepts
self‑awareness
growth mindset
vulnerability
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance confidence with humility?
- When does humility hinder decisive action?
A Different Perspective
Humility can be mistaken for weakness, leading others to overlook competence.
![“[Former chief executives] come away thinking that America needs a strong, functioning presidency to succeed, and they become very protective of that office. Democrats and Republicans alike are willing to put aside their own party's self-interest to preserve the presidency. That's been true over…” quote by Nancy Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/898/nancy-gibbs-2206_america_former-chief-executives-come-away-thinki_104173.jpg)
