Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

What did you mean by "but postpone being too humble until you are sure you are great"? How does it follow from what you wrote before?



Many native english speakers confuse humbleness and humility, and it's an admonishment to not be meek. They are taught to affect humbleness that is not the effect of developing the greatness that would justify it.


I think what you mean is many native speakers simply use the word ‘humble’ in its verb form incorrectly.

No one is humbled by winning an award, that is, brought low or humiliated. Rather an award is typically an exaltation or celebration. What they hamfistedly are trying to say is that they feel unworthy of the award or recognition, and so many otherwise learned people do this it has come to be understood.


I'm saying in its adjective form, being humble is a learned affectation for most people, and in its immoderate form, it makes them resentful that the abasement they are trained to offer isn't reciprocated by others, or the universe they are using it to bargain with because it doesn't care.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: