p. 226 | HUMILITY by John Ruskin

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 14, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 15.

HUMILITY.

By John Ruskin

I BELIEVE the first test of a truly great man is his humility. I do not mean by humility doubt of his own power, or hesitation in speaking his opinion; but a right understanding of the relation between what he can do and say, and the rest of the world's sayings and doings. All the great men not only know their business, but usually know that they know it; and are not only right in their main opinions, but usually know that they are right in them, only they do not think much of themselves on that account. Arnolfo knows that he can build a good dome at Florence; Albert Durer writes to one who has found fault with his work, "It cannot be better done;" Sir Isaac Newton knows that he has worked out a problem or two that would have puzzled anybody else; only they do not expect their fellow-men, therefore, to fall down and worship them. They have a curious undersense of powerlessness, feeling that the greatness is not in them, but through them; that they could not do or be anything else than God made them, and they see something divine and God-made in any other man they meet, and are endlessly, foolishly, and incredibly merciful.—John Ruskin.