The true secret of giving advice is, after you have honestly given it, to be perfectly indifferent whether it is taken or not, and never persist in trying to set people right.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
Nothing can be further apart than true humility and servility.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True humility involves self-awareness and dignity, while servility denotes a lack of self-respect and submission.
In this quote, Henry Ward Beecher emphasizes the significant distinction between true humility and servility. True humility is characterized by an authentic understanding of oneβs value and position, presenting oneself with dignity and respect, whereas servility reflects a subservient mentality and an inability to maintain oneβs self-respect. This highlights the importance of finding a balance between humility and self-worth.
Themes
HumilityServilitySelf-RespectDignitySelf-Awareness
In practice
Example use cases
During a leadership workshop, I used this quote to illustrate the difference between being humble and being submissive.
More from Henry Ward Beecher
All quotes βA man who cannot get angry is like a stream that cannot overflow, that is always turbid. Sometimes indignation is as good as a thunderstorm in summer, clearing and cooling the air.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
No one can deal with the hearts of men unless he has the sympathy which is given by love.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
We are always on the anvil; by trials God is shaping us for higher things.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
No man can tell if he is rich or poor by turning to his ledger. It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
There are joys which long to be ours. God sends ten thousands truths, which come about us like birds seeking inlet; but we are shut up to them, and so they bring us nothing, but sit and sing awhile upon the roof, and then fly away.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
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In times like these, it helps to recall that there have always been times like these.
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What people in the world think of you is really none of your business.
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As much as we can, let's defend the truth by pointing to what the apostles taught, and let's call out sin by pointing to the inconsistencies between what we say we believe and what we do.
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