Distinguishing Humble & Modest

Humble vs Modest

Humble and modest are two words that are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. Humility is a virtue that allows an individual to maintain a down-to-earth personality, being aware of their strengths and weaknesses. Modesty, on the other hand, refers to an individual who is unassuming about their abilities and does not brag about their capabilities. The main difference between the two words is that humility is an internal feeling, while modesty is an external response to the world.

Key Takeaways

• Being humble involves acknowledging one’s strengths and weaknesses and accepting the authority of others.
• Being modest means being unassuming about one’s abilities and not bragging about achievements.
• Humility is an internal feeling, while modesty is an external response to the world.

What is Humble?

Humility is considered one of the greatest virtues, as it allows an individual to acknowledge their limitations and accept the authority of others. A humble person may be intellectually superior to others but does not challenge or seek praise from others. They are fully aware of their capacities, strengths, and weaknesses, and can appreciate their strengths while being open to their limitations.

What is Modest?

Modesty is the quality of being unassuming in the estimation of one’s abilities, often in response to praise or achievements. A modest person does not brag or speak highly of their achievements and can also refer to not flaunting one’s abilities. While modesty can sometimes appear as humility, it can also be a false modesty where a person pretends to be unaware of things to gain appreciation or belittles their achievements to gain praise.

Difference between Humble and Modest

The main difference between being humble and modest is that humility is an internal feeling and modesty is an external response. Humility is not pretentious, while modesty can be, in which case it is referred to as false modesty. A humble person will not belittle their capacities to gain praise, whereas a modest person may do so to gain praise and appreciation.