Humble and modest are two words that often go together and thus, most of us fail to appreciate the difference between them and confuse the two words, humble and modest, as interchangeable. In fact, humble and modest are two different words with different meanings. Humility, or else being humble, is considered as one of the greatest virtues. It is a quality that makes an individual maintain a down to earth personality. Even though the individual is extremely talented and has many exceptional qualities, a humble person is aware of both his strengths and weaknesses. This allows him to accept the authority of others. Such a person would not challenge others because he has no need to feel superior in front of others. Being modest, on the other hand, is when an individual is unassuming of his abilities. Such a person would not brag about his capabilities. Through this article let us examine the differences between the two words.
What is Humble?
Being humble is acknowledging one’s strengths and weakness that will allow the individual to be willingness to accept the authority of others. This is considered as one of the greatest virtues. It is an inner feeling where an individual acknowledges the fact that he too can have limitations. A humble person may be intellectually superior to others, but he does not challenge others. He also does not wish to be praised by others. A humble person is fully aware of his faculties, his capacities, strengths, and weaknesses. In this sense, being humble is being fully aware of one’s self. It has the capacity to appreciate one’s strengths while being open to one’s limitations.
Modest person understands his weaknesses and strengths
What is Modest?
Being modest is being unassuming in the estimation of one’s abilities. This can be a response to praises or achievements. If a person does not brag or speak highly of his achievements, such an individual is modest. Modesty can also be viewed as the quality of not being flaunted. The key difference between humble and modesty is that while being humble is more of an inner state, being modest is not. It is a manner of response to the router world. However, this word can also be used when referring to clothes, for example, modest clothes.
Sometimes, modesty can appear as humility. But this is not a true humility and should only be viewed as false modesty. A person with false modesty would always pretend. He would attempt to show others that he is unaware of things with the intention of gaining appreciation. Belittling one’s achievements is also another quality that falls under false modesty. If a person speaks of his achievements as of little significance for the sole purpose of being praised by others, this is not a positive quality. This highlights that of the two qualities it is better to be humble than to be modest.
Being modest is being unassuming in the estimation of one’s abilities
What is the difference between Humble and Modest?
• Definitions of Humble and Modest:
• Being humble is acknowledging one’s strengths and weakness that will allow the individual to be willingness to accept the authority of others.
• Being modest is being unassuming in the estimation of one’s abilities.
• Modesty can also be viewed as the quality of not being flaunted.
• Internal vs External:
• Being humble is internal.
• Being modest is external.
• Pretentious Nature:
• Being humble is not a pretentious characteristic of an individual.
• Modesty can be pretentious, in which case it is referred to as false modesty.
• Nature:
• A humble person will not belittle his capacities to gain praise.
• A modest person can belittle his capacities to gain praise and appreciation.
Images Courtesy:
- Mirza Azizullah Baig by Shamb12 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
- Happy female via Pixabay (Public Domain)