A modest view of your own importance; the quality of not thinking you are better than others.
From Old French “umilité,” from Latin “humilitas,” meaning “lowness” or “modesty,” from “humilis” (low). It was often praised as a religious and moral virtue.
Humility doesn’t mean pretending you’re worthless; it means seeing your strengths and weaknesses clearly without bragging. People with real humility often learn faster, because they’re not busy protecting their ego.
Humility has been promoted as a feminine virtue more strongly than as a masculine one, especially in religious and domestic contexts, sometimes to justify women’s subordination or silence. This has created a gendered tension between humility and self-advocacy for many women.
Apply ‘humility’ as a virtue for all genders; avoid using it to suggest that certain groups should accept lesser status or refrain from claiming credit.
["modesty","openness to learning","lack of arrogance"]
Women leaders often have their assertiveness reframed as a lack of humility, yet many have modeled forms of humility grounded in accountability and shared leadership rather than submission.
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