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Chapter 57 The Theory of Sentiments: Keeping Some Principles 4
For all, humility is safety
The prince must take care to appease the social groups, see them often, and model modesty and generosity, while at the same time maintaining his majesty as a prince, which cannot be allowed to diminish in any way.

——"Chapter 21 What the Monarch Should Do to Be More Respected"

As a high-ranking monarch, humility and courtesy are necessary, which is conducive to making the hearts of the subjects lean towards him.Just like as a leader, if you always dictate to your subordinates, you will lose the hearts of the people and destroy the cooperative atmosphere of the entire team.For ordinary people, humility is one of the virtues, which is conducive to harmonious communication and mutual learning between people.

The character of humility can have a wonderful interpersonal effect, because being humble and courteous often makes it difficult for others to refuse your request, and brings you fame and help.As Aristotle said: "It is duty to be humble to superiors, kind to be humble to peers, noble to be humble to inferiors, and safe to be humble to all."

Humility is like a seesaw, you are on one end and the other side is on the other.As long as you humbly lower your head, the other person will rise up, and this will eventually open the door for you to succeed.

Someone once asked Socrates if he was born superhuman. He replied, "I'm not superhuman. I'm just like everyone else. The difference is that I know I don't know." That's a kind of humility.No wonder the ancient Roman statesman and philosopher Cicero would say: "There is nothing more suitable for a great man than humility and tolerance."

A humble heart is the beginning of conscious growth, that is, we don't learn new things until we admit that we don't know everything.Many young people have this common problem. They often think that they have mastered everything after mastering one point, and then make all kinds of ridiculous and stupid mistakes without knowing it.

Western philosopher Carlyle said: "The biggest shortcoming in life is that you don't know that you still have shortcomings." Because people only know that they are intoxicated with self-righteousness and self-righteousness, but they don't know that this attitude will be rejected by most people and make themselves at a disadvantage.

Laozi, the ancestor of Chinese Taoism, once used "water" to describe his philosophy of life: "The highest kindness is like water, and water is good for all things without fighting." Not good at fighting.Water always flows downwards, where it is most hated by everyone, pours into the most humble place, and stands in the humble place to support everything.It is as beneficial to all things as the way of heaven, so water has no shape. In a round container, it is round; in a square container, it is square.It can be liquid, gas, or solid.This is exactly the "humility" spirit embodied in water, and human beings should also imitate water's squareness, roundness, and capacity.

There is an old lady who is highly educated and nearly eighty years old. She used to be a university professor. She can speak five languages, read a lot, has a rich vocabulary, has an excellent memory, and travels frequently.However, she was never heard to flaunt her knowledge or pretend to know something she didn't know.When encountering difficulties, she never evaded saying "I don't know".She never prevaricates with her own knowledge, but suggests consulting relevant monographs and materials for reference.Seeing all this about the old man, everyone who came into contact with her truly understood how to be respected by others and how to gain the true dignity of being a human being.

Psychologist Benjamin Evitt once pointed out that people who usually say "I know" are slow-minded, easily restrained, and not good at interacting with others.Quick and ready-made answers show a kind of stereotyped thinking; dare to say "I don't know" show an imaginative and creative spirit.Evitt also says that our own way of life can be vastly improved if we admit that we need to think about this or that issue, or honestly admit our ignorance.This is the attitude he is trying to promote and the benefits that people can derive from it.

Everyone has their own areas of ignorance. If you insist on swollen face to pretend to be fat, you will only expose your humbleness.It's better to admit that you "don't know" and let your ignorance keep motivating yourself.

Modesty not only makes people progress, but also earns people respect and admiration.In the Second World War, Churchill had outstanding merits. When he abdicated after the war, the British Parliament planned to pass a proposal to build a bronze statue of him in the park for tourists to admire.

Churchill refused. He said: "Thank you for your kindness. I'm afraid that the birds will poop on my bronze statue. It's such a sight. So I think it's better to avoid it!"

Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the United States. In 3 he served as the American ambassador to France.One day, he visited the apartment of the French foreign minister.

"You replaced Mr. Franklin?" asked the French foreign minister.

"It is to replace him. No one can replace Mr. Franklin." Jefferson replied humbly.

Jefferson's humility impressed the French foreign minister.

Darwin, the founder of the theory of evolution, was a very humble scientist.When Darwin talked with others, he always listened patiently to others. Whether he was an old or a young scientist, he behaved very modestly, as if others were his teachers and he was a studious student. In 1877, when he received birthday congratulations from some scientists in Germany and Holland, he wrote a touching sentence in the letter of thanks: Abundant material, my book could never have been completed, and if it had been written it would have left no impression on the minds of men. So I think the credit should go largely to them."

Every great person who has won a good reputation because of his modesty will leave a deep impression on people, people will remember it for a lifetime, and will serve as a model for educating the next generation.

People often maintain a modest attitude, not for a good name, nor for this virtue deliberately, but as a prerequisite for enriching themselves.There is no doubt that you who have become extremely good because of humility must have gained more than you who have become proud and complacent.

(End of this chapter)