Modesty is a virtue… but is too much of it a bad thing? In our country and many others, I believe society has inbred within us the heinous quality of over-humility, which can have detrimental impacts for people who practice it. Albert Einstein once told society that: ‘I have no special talent. I am just passionately curious’. Is he – one of the world’s most accomplished and decorated physicist – really speaking truthfully when he says this? Or is he just complying with an inherently pointless and old-fashioned etiquette of humbling one’s self to the point of insanity?
Observing my friends further demonstrates this point. When honoured at our school’s award ceremonies or simply complimented by a teacher, they don’t smile, they don’t seem pleased with themselves, but instead they keep their head down and look shyly around, as if to say ‘I don’t really deserve this award do I?’ The stigmatisation of self-aggrandisement means that my friends are perennially concerned that people are judging them for being arrogant.
Now, I will admit that this is not an issue for everyone. Many people have struck the crucial balance between casual modesty and and its extremer version. However, there are many more, in particular schoolchildren, who are overly humble and for whom this is a big problem.
Why do I say this? Well, for starters, I’d argue that the world isn’t kind to overmodest people. There is a phrase ‘blowing your own trumpet’ and it is, at least in moderation, a critical skill for life and one which ameliorates chances at auditions, job interviews and in other application processes. If you’re wanting to convince investors to get behind your new start-up, you can’t appear meek and unassuming. You – and excuse the cliché – really have to blow your own trumpet and have a sizable opinion of your capabilities. Else, they’re not going to think that you’re the best candidate.
When employers consider who to promote, they will be looking for the most suitable, accomplished, clear-headed and confident person for the job. With limited time and budget, they will pick the person who – and I apologise again – blows their own trumpet and makes themselves and their abilities known. It will not be the quiet self-deprecator whose only boast in life is a low estimate of his own importance.
Not just a problem for yourself, over-humility can be really annoying for the people around you. If your friend won the Nobel Peace Prize, the last thing you’d want them to say would be: “well, it was nothing really.” Just how fist-clenchingly, stomach-wrenchingly maddening would that be? Moreover, if they weren’t proud of their great achievement, how would that make you feel about your lesser ones?
Furthermore, humbling yourself to an insane degree in public can easily permeate into your private life. If you are constantly playing yourself down to other people, you are at risk of deceiving your mind that you are in fact an underwhelming person. By not accepting praise for your achievements, you deceive your mind that they are not praiseworthy enough. (You also deny yourself the great joy of celebrating them.)
Over time, such self-deceit can have detrimental impacts on your mental wellbeing. Not thinking much of yourself can cause and worsen depression, and thinking that your achievements mean nothing can make your existence feel less satisfactory. Just how many suicides could have been prevented if people simply thought better of themselves?
To solve this problem, I believe we all need to be a bit prouder of ourselves and others. Imagine the scenario: you have just won a writing competition. Are you keeping your head down? Holding in a smile? Don’t. Let a smile naturally broaden outwards and hold your head high. That’s not boastful. Or arrogant… It is a perfectly normal reaction to a piece of good news. Additionally, the world needs to develop the skill of blowing one’s own trumpet. For, after all, it’s a big world out there… and sometimes you’ve got to shout to be heard.
I’d never really considered this issue but now I’ve read it, I have to agree with the author. I think over-humility is a problem and I think it certainly does disadvantage people in the world of work. Really interesting and well-written – well done.
Thanks for your kind words
Is this really the biggest issue at the moment? We’ve got massive socioeconomic uncertainty and political disillusionment and all you want to prattle on about is an incredibly niche and inane non-existent problem. Come on man.
When compared to the topics you’ve mentioned Alistair, everything seems unimportant. But the fact is that this young lad has made a fabulous essay about an existent problem is nothing to be scorned at. I can do nothing but respect this young person’s essay.
I’m not going to lie, I disagree here.
I looked up over-humility online and there really isn’t anything about it. Your concept is really original so a big well-done! The world certainly won’t be kind to overly humble people. I do find myself agreeing with your first point which was to say that modesty is a virtue, but too much of it is a bad thing. It’s like many things in life! Analytical but well-written essay.
I looked up over-humility online and there really isn’t anything about it. Your concept is really original so a big well-done! I do find myself agreeing with your first point which was to say that modesty is a virtue, but too much of it is a bad thing. It’s like many things in life! Analytical but well-written essay.
Thanks for your kind words
This captivating essay enlightened myself on the detrimental effects of over-humility. After reading this I now think alike with the writer. Captured my attention from the get go- incredible!
Cheers Grace
I do find myself agreeing with your first point which was to say that modesty is a virtue, but too much of it is a bad thing. It’s like many things in life! Analytical but well-written essay.
I looked up over-humility online and there really isn’t anything about it. I do find myself agreeing with your first point which was to say that modesty is a virtue, but too much of it is a bad thing. It’s like many things in life! Analytical but well-written essay.
People at QES seem rather happy obtaining their “awards” – they smile, and receive their clapping from others. However, it should be obvious that they don’t want to go around bragging about their achievements as it could easily upset those who didn’t get the awards they spent all year working for. People also don’t want to be classified as having ‘Hyper-
Inflated Egos’ it as such. It isn’t Over-Humility but instead not being egotistical.
Anonymous Person
I agree with you that there is a fine line between arrogance and celebrating yourself however I think there is a difference. What I am, I suppose, getting at here is the shyness and awkwardness which grips people in situations when they do need to celebrate themselves. Thank for your comment though.
Personally think that this piece of writing is a masterpiece. But I think that the reason that your friends don’t want to brag about their awards is because they are not big headed fools. Otherwise WELL DONE Jed I think this is great.
I do appreciate what you say. Thanks for the kind words.
This piece of writing is extremely thought provoking. I believe that for things like your CV, it’s good to be a bit boastful, and if you receive an award, you should be proud of it, however I wouldn’t then tell everybody I meet for the next 2 weeks about it. Overall, stunning essay, would definitely read more from Jed.
I agree. People should blow there own trumpet in a CV.
Some very interesting points that I had never considered before were brought up in this article. I agree with the writer that people should be more proud of there own personal achievements and talk about them more.
Cheers for this
Wow Jed you are really insightful for a 15 year old. I can’t believe that such a young mind produced such an incredible masterpiece. Jed, you should definitely consider publishing your work in the future because I think that the world could really benefit from such wisdom. I can only imagine the kind of thing that you will produce in the future. Absolutely fantastic! Well done!
I could not agree more, well done jed, you really made me think while reading this article.
Why do I think one of my friends is masquerading his identity?
I completely agree Bill, I think Jed has brought up some fascinating issues in his article such as over humility while recieving awards. Can I ask Jed, do you yourself try to encourage others to be proud of their achievements, or do you think that would come off as a bit strange and un-British? Well done Jed. I would quite like to read some more of your work.
Thanks. Your comment means an awful lot to me.
Thanks for the kind words
Really enjoyed this article.
Interestingly sports people being awarded prizes rarely show any of this self depreciation. Imagine if England won the World Cup and didn’t show any outward signs of celebration!
I guess you’re saying that humble people aren’t going to do as well in life?
Why do I think one of my friends is masquerading this name?
Sorry, I meant that reply for somebody else’s comment
Profound. Never considered this before
Many thanks
Because if you are, I agree
Exactly yes
A refreshing piece of writing on a subject not often written about much.
Well done Jed, I hope you do very well with it.
Cheers for this
Thanks G1JYB
I have just sent this off to my local newspaper the Westmorland gazette. So unreported.
Do you actually think that it’s bad for people’s mental health? And Do what percentage of the population does this cause an issue for?
A very well thought out & interesting article Jed. Your writing skills are very well developed for someone so young & I hope you will continue to use these skills in later life.
You’ve given this topic a lot of thought. Well done.
Could do with some more research to back up points?
Our political class seems unaffected by over-humility.
Well I am really impressed with your writing and how you discuss the concept of over humility.
A very mature and thoughtful piece indeed.
Well done.
Interesting and insightful.
A valuable lesson learned here already by Jed!
Thought-provoking. Congratulations.
I was just wondering, do you think over-humility affects a certain demographic of people more (e.g. an ethnic minority)? And do you believe that it gets worse or better with age?
Hi John,
I think that people’s confidence grows over age and thus, they become less over-humble. I believe a private school education leads to much more confidence as well, so if I was to name one group least affected, it’d be the wealthy demographic. Groups who are regular prejudiced and discriminated are more likely to be less confident so I believe ethnic minorities might suffer more from over-humility. Hope this answers your question?