Humility one Sign of Greatness.
By 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 own opinion ; but a right understanding of the relations between what he can do and say, and the rest of the world's sayings and doings. All great men not only know their business, but know usually that they know it ; and are not only right in their main opinions ; but they usually know that they are right in them ; only they do not think much of themselves on that account. They have a curious under-sense 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 every other man they meet, and are endlessly, foolishly, incredibly merciful. The slightest manifestation of jealousy or self-complacency is enough to mark a second-rate character in intellect.—Ruskin.