Character Quote by Russell Kirk
“Humility, which Burke ranked high among the virtues, is the only effectual restraint upon this congenital vanity; yet our world has nearly forgotten the nature of humility. Submission to the dictates of humility formerly was made palatable to man by the doctrine of grace; that elaborate doctrine has been overwhelmed by modern presumption.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Conservative Mind, 1953
Humility restrains vanity, but modern culture has forgotten it, replacing grace with presumption
In simple terms: Humility checks pride, yet society neglects it
Key Takeaway
Cultivate humility to counteract vanity
Themes
virtue
humility
culture
pride
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- leadership training
- ethical education
- personal development
Key Concepts
Moral philosophy
social critique
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- How can humility be taught in modern institutions?
- What balances humility with self‑confidence?
A Different Perspective
Humility alone may not change systemic arrogance
![“Men are put into this world, he [the enlightened conservative] realizes, to struggle, to suffer, to contend against the evil that is in their neighbors and in themselves, and to aspire toward the triumph of Love. They are put into this world to live like men, and to die like men. He seeks to…” quote by Russell Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8f1/russell-kirk-6909_love_men-are-put-into-this-world-he-the-enlig_208424.jpg)
