“Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation.”
St. Augustine
Greatness
After more than a millennium and a half, Augustine of Hippo remains one of the deepest thinkers in western history, and a favourite among Christian philosophers and theologians. This quote is beautiful because of how Augustine so simply reminds us of what is essential. It may be obvious, but to be great, you have to be. The part that’s less obvious is that, like a plant, you have to be deeply rooted to set yourself apart as great. Otherwise, your “greatness” will be short-lived, like many celebrities that people craze over for a time, but then forget not long after. These are the roots of humility: acknowledging and accepting our given status in relation to God and others, putting God and others before ourselves, and loving wholeheartedly. These things, when consistently applied, build a deep and firm foundation.
How will you work toward greater humility today?
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
Winston Churchill
Courage
One cannot say that Winston Churchill, the highly respected prime minister of the United Kingdom during World War II, didn’t know courage. He played a pivotal role in the deadliest conflict in world history to date. He knew how to wage war against powerful forces like the Nazi army, and yet he believed that true courage was more than the ability to assert oneself. A man of true courage cares about his neighbour – about his wellbeing, but also about his insights. True courage has a humble quality, because it recognizes the truth that none of us knows all. It isn’t easy to take this vulnerable position, but there is something distinctly admirable when one can confidently say, “I don’t know this, tell me more.”
Where and when will you sit down with someone and listen to them today?
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
Sun Tzu
Step by Step
This quote by Sun Tzu, author of The Art of War, reminds us that no great endeavour can be achieved by skipping the first step. Every undertaking has a process, and a desire to accomplish something requires a willingness to take it one step at a time. It’s great to have big dreams, but patience is just as crucial. Every day, do something small that brings you closer to achieving something great. Don’t neglect the little things.
What dreams do you hope to achieve yet struggle to have the patience to work toward?
To conclude, these three quotes have powerful messages, teaching us the power of humility, listening, and perseverance. We can easily be distracted by our own aspirations and all the messages being thrown at us by different media outlets. Remember to take time to think about why you do what you do. Take time to listen to others’ ways of processing things, and consider service to others as more lofty than accumulating material goods. Finally, be patient in every process, taking everything one step at a time.
Kyrie Eleison 