Section 164. HUMILITY.
Reading edition
I believe the first[1] test of a truly great man is his humility. I do not mean by[2] humility, doubt of[3] his own power, or hesitation[4] in speaking[5] his opinions, but a right understanding of the relation between[6] what he can do and say, and[7] the rest of the world’s sayings and doings. All great men not only know[8] their business[9], but usually know[10] that[11] they know it; they are not only right in their main opinions[12], but they usually know that they are right in them (S. 4, N. 5, B); only they do not think much of themselves on[13] that account. Arnolfo[14] knows he can build a good[15] dome at Florence; Albert[16] Dürer writes calmly[17] to one who had found fault with his work: “It cannot be better done;” Sir Isaac Newton knows that he has worked[18] out a problem or two that would have puzzled anybody[19] else:—only they do not expect their[20] fellow-men therefore to fall down and worship them; they[21] have a curious under-sense of powerlessness, feeling (S. 30, N. 4) that the greatness is[22] not in them, but through them; that they could (App. § 33) not do or be anything else than[23] what God made them. They see something divine and God-made[24] in every other man, and are endlessly, nay[25] incredibly merciful[26].—Anonymous.