Fools Are Proud and the Wise Are Humble

Last Sunday's sermon in church was about the quality that a lot of people lack these days, genuine humility. The minister expounds that real humility is when you do not measure yourself on how you stack against other people. He adds modesty is not enough since it is merely knowing how to act humble when the heart may still feel haughty and proud inside, that we should instead compare ourselves to God so that we know what our true state is. He warns how God is and will go against people who are proud, who think they are better than others, either because of their possessions or what they think their stature is because of their titles. A verse that I continually repeat to myself is Proverbs 16:18 where it warns that, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." (Thesaurus result for haughty: proud, arrogant, conceited, self-important, snooty, stuck-up, puffed-up, overconfident, self-aggrandizing, high and mighty.)

I was always taught that humility is a virtue that we should practice. Old school ways even teach that the higher you are, the more humble you should be. It's because wise people know that whatever they possess comes with great responsibility. One will find a difference in those people who come from old money (whether they still have it or not), and those who are newly rich or as the French refers to them, "nouveau riche". This includes part of the bourgeoisie or the middle class who used to be "have-nots" but have a bit more money now than they were previously used to. The former feel they have nothing to prove and go about their business. They wear their wealth like an old, comfortable shirt. They go about what they do with a sense of duty. The latter may not possess the same sense of accountability because their concern may be to show off their newly acquired "shirt" more than anything else. Insecurity makes them feel the need to shout about what they have, strut in their supposed status in the town square. They devise ways to make everyone feel small so that they can feel good about themselves.

I remember my teenage years when my youthful pride reigned supreme because I needed to prove myself, as most youths are wont to be. I was involved in the local show business back home and the treatment you get there can really get to your head. My wise mother and very close friends (fellow performing artists) would be my check and balance. My mom kept my feet on the ground in gentle and (most of the time, heheh!) loving correction. And with my friends, I realized that the giftings and talents of people are all different but together they balance each other. A truthful assessment of one's abilities is a good thing since one can really tap into their talents and complement another person's strong and weak points. My friends and I really achieved meaningful productions and work when we strove for a common goal. We also learned a lot from each other, through good and bad times, through camaraderie and even fights! I would be dishonest (and proud) if I say that I have totally outgrown feeling smug at times. It is difficult, especially around arrogant and pretentious people whom you want to bring down to earth with a sarcastic remark or two. Although sometimes it is called for. But I get reminded of my Mom and mentor-friends' careful instruction. Long ago, a minister who did a study on the life of Solomon really made an impact on me. Solomon's pursuit of wisdom above all things impressed me so much that I started praying from that day on that God would grant me wisdom. In gaining wisdom though, you need a lot of humility. Humility to learn from everyone, even the ones whom you think have nothing to teach you. It's an everyday struggle, thus I keep in mind another favorite verse:

Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Foolish or Wise?