As seekers we are taught to be humble. Have you ever heard arrogance in someone's modesty? At what point does a person refusing to accept credit for an accomplishment become another form of pride?
2007-06-11 07:00:56 · 13 answers · asked by Immortal Cordova 6 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
When you're being modest for the entertainment of others.
2007-06-11 07:05:45 · answer #1 · answered by TD Euwaite? 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Modesty becomes conceit when someone is using it to manipulate someone else - to prove that they are superior to that person or people, to control people, or to win an argument. You can usually sense the attitude, "Look at me! I did it without anyone's help. I don't need your gratitude, praise or acknowledgments. I did it all by myself. Now, why can't you?"
Refusing to accept credit may be justified, if credit is not due, if credit should have been shared with others and was not, or if someone was exaggerating your accomplishments by flattering you. By making a big deal out of praising someone publicly, you make them uncomfortable as the focus of your attention and you make other people jealous of them. They may not deserve that.
2007-06-11 09:06:26 · answer #2 · answered by Zelda Hunter 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The paradox is that it is quite possible to be proud AND modest.
A proud person has a feeling of self-worth from his accomplishements. A modest person is simple and unpretentious.
What you describe - a person who refuses credit for their own acts - may be meek but it is NOT modest. The person is pretending at something that is not so.
This could not be humility either, because humility also carries a connotation of unpretentiousness (and also one of having little to be proud about, so it IS a contradiction to be proud and humble). Arrogance does seem appropriate, unless the person is developing an unwarranted pride from their supposed humility.
Perhaps the best way to describe it would be 'ostentatious humility'. Or just plain annoying. I like this quote from Harry Harrison:
"False modesty is the refuge of the incompetent."
2007-06-12 09:44:23 · answer #3 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm sell-aware and self-confident but I'm also a narcissist, so crossing the line with arrogance has always been a problem for me. I do see a therapist weekly to help me. When people reach a crossroads in their lives and they ask themselves what RScott would do, they should wisely do the opposite. RScott
2016-05-17 09:15:52 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely. "I'm more humble than you" is the silent sub-text to many a gathering of 'seekers'.
Your question reminded me of a quote by Golda Meir I believe: "Don't be humble, you're not that great"
2007-06-11 10:34:09 · answer #5 · answered by megalomaniac 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
modesty is complete falseness...and not Godly as the bible warns us from arrogance but not from being true to yourself and your achievements. Take modesty and put it on the shelves!
2014-07-23 23:39:48 · answer #6 · answered by Lucy Wanja 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You said the answer to your question in your question. As soon as we take pride in our modesty.
2007-06-11 07:05:07 · answer #7 · answered by grey_worms 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
This is quite a tricky question.
I think when someone starts being modest just so other people know how modest they are, then it becomes conceit.
2007-06-11 07:13:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
What a great question.
I've always thought that modesty is false in nature...if you have a talent or attribute to be proud of, you know it!
2007-06-11 07:04:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
some people are so overly modest that it actually makes them look conceited. and also like, when you compliment someone that has done a good job, or tell them they look nice, and they insist that they dont, i think they are fishing for more compliments.
2007-06-11 07:10:00 · answer #10 · answered by ThrockGrl 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋