Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Politicians frequently claim humility but boast about it loudly, contradicting the true meaning of the virtue. Their pride in humility disqualifies them from possessing it.
In plain terms
Politicians often brag about being humble which proves they are not humble.
What can you take from it?
Claiming humility while boasting negates the virtue.

Where it applies

  • political debates
  • leadership training
  • media critique

Putting it to work

  • look for actions over words
  • identify false modesty
  • evaluate leaders

Questions to consider

  • Can you be proud of being humble?
  • How do you spot false modesty?

Another view

It ignores that some may express humility sincerely.

More from Russell Baker

  1. By any precise definition, Washington is a city of advanced depravity. There one meets and dines with the truly great killers of the age, but only the quirkily…

    Permalink to quote #32
  2. One may speculate whether the contemporary idea of American society in decay is not a false notion which has been created, at least partially, by this old movi…

    Permalink to quote #34
  3. There is no business like show business, Irving Berlin once proclaimed, and thirty years ago he may have been right, but not anymore. Nowadays almost every bus…

    Permalink to quote #31

Related quotes

  1. Well may the boldest fear and the wisest tremble when incurring responsibilities on which may depend our country's peace and prosperity, and in some degree the…

    James K. PolkJames K. Polk quote #1
  2. He therefore is the truest friend to the liberty of his country who tries most to promote its virtue, and who, so far as his power and influence extend, will n…

    Samuel AdamsSamuel Adams quote #2
  3. I can and shall yield to no call that does not come from the spontaneous action and free will of the nation at large and void of the slightest agency of my own…

    Zachary TaylorZachary Taylor quote #2