Henry Ward Beecher Quotes

He that places himself neither higher nor lower than he ought to do exercises the truest humility.

humility is beyond our reach. if it were a product of reaching, we would instinctively be proud of reaching it. it is a gift.

Only have enough of little virtues and common fidelities, and you need not mourn because you are neither a hero nor a saint.

Humility is the mother of all virtues; purity, charity and obedience. It is in being humble that our love becomes real, devoted and ardent. If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are. If you are blamed you will not be discouraged. If they call you a saint you will not put yourself on a pedestal.

Humility and full consciousness are inseparable.

The ideal state is meekness, or humility, or the semi-invalid state of the old. Year after year I am becoming nobler and nobler. If I can live to be decrepit enough, I shall be a saint.

Virtuous persons and fruit-laden trees bow, but fools and dry sticks break because they do not bend.

My reason for coming out isn't to be some sort of hero.

In essence, you are neither inferior nor superior to anyone. True self-esteem and true humility arise out of that realization. In the eyes of the ego, self-esteem and humility are contradictory. In truth, they are one and the same.

Be like the sun for grace and mercy. Be like the night to cover others' faults. Be like running water for generosity. Be like death for rage and anger. Be like the Earth for modesty. Appear as you are. Be as you appear.

Humility is just as much the opposite of self-abasement as it is of self-exaltation. To be humble is not to make comparisons. Secure in its reality, the self is neither better nor worse, bigger nor smaller, than anything else in the universe. It is ? is nothing, yet at the same time one with everything. It is in this sense that humility is absolute self-effacement.

I thank God, that if I am gifted with little of the spirit which is able to raise mortals to the skies, I have yet none, as I trust, of that other spirit which would drag angels down.

You're better than no one and no one is better than you.

If everyone was satisfied with himself, there would be no heroes.

How can there be pride in a contrite heart? Humility is the earliest fruit of religion.

Therefore, the truly great man, although he does not injure others, does not credit himself with charity and mercy (these are natural to him). He does not seek gain, but does not despise his followers who do. He struggles not for wealth, but does not take credit for leaving it alone... The ranks and emoluments of the world are to him no cause for joy, it's punishments and shame no cause for disgrace.

You've got to be humble really to be yourself or to get a chance to be yourself.

Wish for nothing larger Than your own small heart.

Humility is not an exaggeratedly low opinion of yourself. Humility is self-forgetfulness.

He was a man who understood the virtue of small things.

We must give up the vain idea of trying to please everybody. That is impossible, and the attempt is a mere waste of time. We must be content to walk in Christ's steps, and let the world say what it likes.

Be humble, if thou would'st attain to wisdom. Be humbler still, when wisdom thou hast mastered.

To men and women everywhere Jesus says, "Come unto me, and I will give you rest." The rest He offers is the rest of meekness, the blessed relief which comes when we accept ourselves for what we are and cease to pretend.

... learning humility is a prerequisite for grace.

Get low; grace will meet you there.