Humility

老子

十

~What does Lao Tzu mean by humility? Why is it important in the face of the Tao?

~How is humility expressed? How can it not lead to fatalism or quiet resignation?

*****

Plato’s Apology of Socrates (23b)

“He among you humans is wisest who, like Socrates, knows that he’s really worth nothing when it comes to wisdom.”

Lowering oneself is humility- genuine humility and simplicity has been paralleled to a piece of an uncarved wood that is simple and plain but genuine and it is in man’s simplicity that which makes him stand out.

Genuine humility have become a rarity today where material possessions, established family names, intelligence, and professional titles have become the markers of the person’s whole identity and it carries with it the constant desire to be acknowledged. There is always something to parade around. There is always something to be proud of. And so modesty has become a treasure or a jewel, as it has been considered in the Taoist Philosophy. The Three Jewels (or The Three Treasures) should be behind all the things that you do, no matter great or small. Compassion, moderation, and humility will lead you to the path of courage, generosity, and leadership. 

We want people to know us: who we are and what we have done. When we have achieved something we want the whole world to know about it. We want people to look up to us and treat us with great importance. We want to be the priority in everything. We want people to accommodate us and so meekness has escaped, in hiding, until we can find it again and retain tie it back to our identity, hopefully for good. Man has driven away humility by competing against each other. A modest person does not allow people to fuss over him and so he keeps away and stay on the sidelines. Like nature, one should work in humility. Nature works silently and takes no claim in its products. Nature works and execute its task in silence. The concept of Locke’s property can be attributed to humility: where there is no property, there is no injury. If you do not take claim to an achievement then it will be not be taken away from you. The lack of humility in one’s life invites danger.

Doctrine of the Mean, 33

“Over her brocaded robe, she wore a plain and simple dress, for she disliked the loudness of its colour and patterns. Thus the way of the superior man is hidden but comes more prominent every day…”

And so our need to display will only complicate and delay everything because our desire for recognition arouses another fight amongst us, an in-group fight, contradicts the roles that we are supposed to play in our jobs. A person who constantly boasts about his spoils will soon be deemed arrogant because he lacks the virtue to stay modest and his gloating will only attract trouble. Power is not privilege to stand above others and make decisions based on his own self-interest. In making a speech, he does not stand on the platform but remains on the ground, equal to the people. A humble leader is one who does not throw people under the bus and take credit for everything. And so Lao Tzu wants us, leader or not, to be like water: soft yet strong, flexible yet unbreakable, and because water is weak, it can surpass everything. 

Tao Te Ching, 22

He does not show himself; therefore he is luminous.

He does not justify himself; therefore he is given credit.

He does not brag; therefore he can endure for long.

A person with a lesser position should not design his goal towards the elevation of his position. He should direct his efforts straightly and aim to complete his own specified job. He should focus and do his own work and keep his nose away from the work of others. Credit will be given when it is due. A humble man is one who takes great care not only of his cup but of the water lest it overflows. 

*****