Modesty and humility

Two very important traits which people’s representatives and public servants should possess for getting acceptability among whom they represent or serve are modesty and humility. The simple reason for this is that they are all ‘public servants’. But how far today’s public servants possess these traits is a moot question.

Humility is sometimes confused with modesty. Modesty describes the personality trait or behaviour of not flaunting oneself or not talking oneself up. In contrast, humility refers specifically to a person's inner state and feelings. A humble person is willing to accept or respect another's authority, intellect and wisdom, or superiority without trying to challenge it or trying to assert oneself. Practising humility helps us stay down-to-earth and keeps false pride at bay. True humility is inward-looking and concerned only with the self. It is an acknowledgement to the self of our limitations and hence a private matter. Modesty, on the other hand, is outward-looking, and is concerned with others. What’s more, modesty is pretentious. Acting modest is pretending to be less than what we believe we really are.

Modesty and humility are indeed two powerful weapons using which a leader can tackle or win over any problematic or tumultuous or tricky situation. These two traits together also bring in two other refreshing traits, of calmness and equanimity. Many would love to have a few leaders and public figures with these qualities. True, they are rather rare traits.

These thoughts are in the context of the strange behaviour and irrational outbursts of some of our leaders.