You do not seek the spotlight. You let your actions speak for themselves.
Humble people have an accurate (not underestimated) sense of their abilities and achievements. They hold the capacity to acknowledge their mistakes and limitations and are open to advice and new ideas. They do not show off their possessions or accomplishments.
Humility is often characterized as synonymous with shy or meek. This is false. True humility is a sign of strength; it is a quiet confidence in who you are. It requires an honest self-reflection on your strengths and weaknesses, and self-control over ego, arrogance, and vanity. It encapsulates a person’s feelings, thoughts, and actions. It includes resistance to false modesty or the “humble brag.”
Virtue: Temperance. Strengths of temperance protect us from excess. Strengths comprised in this virtue are forgiveness, humility, prudence, and self-control.
Individuals with this strength might be described as unassuming, unpretentious, modest, down-to-earth, humble, or deferential.
The content on this page is written for adults — and the character card linked below is our Grades 9–12 version. Our curriculum is differentiated by grade level, from Pre-K–12. Request free lessons to get a closer look at how P2 teaches character strengths across grade levels.
Actions speak louder than words.
An unhealthy craving for awards and accolades will make you less likely to obtain them.
Developing humility is associated with positive developmental outcomes in individuals. It allows a person to honestly reflect on their abilities and acknowledge how and where they can improve. Humility opens them up to new ideas, advice, and (consequently) abilities that pride, arrogance, or pretentiousness often block. Therefore, humility makes them desired members of a team.
American society has overemphasized individual self-esteem to the point that narcissism is up 30% since the early 1980s. Narcissism, a fragile and defensive variety of self-esteem, is correlated with feelings of entitlement and a belief that all one’s failures are a result of external factors. This increased focus on self and decreased focus on others is harmful to group cohesion and success. Humility, then, is vital to team, community, and societal achievement. Humble groups, composed of humble people, do what’s necessary without making a big deal of it; always remaining focused on what’s next.
“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.”
- Ernest Hemingway
“I’m surrounded by nothing but great people. I’ve been blessed with that, so really, I’ve got no choice but to be an all-around good person.”
- Tim Duncan
“It is unwise to be too sure of one’s own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
“A true genius admits he knows nothing.”
- Albert Einstein
You notice and value the world’s beauty and people’s skills. You don’t take things for granted.
You notice and value the world’s beauty and people’s skills. You don’t take things for granted.
You act with mental, moral, or physical strength even when you know things are difficult or scary.
You act with mental, moral, or physical strength even when you know things are difficult or scary.
You come up with new and original ways to think about and do things.
You like exploration and discovery. You ask lots of questions because you want to learn more about anything and everything.
You like exploration and discovery. You ask lots of questions because you want to learn more about anything and everything.
You approach life with excitement and energy. You energize people around you.
You believe that all people have value. You approach situations with an unbiased mindset and treat everyone with respect.
You believe that all people have value. You approach situations with an unbiased mindset and treat everyone with respect.
You let go of anger toward those who have done wrong. You accept that people make mistakes.
You let go of anger toward those who have done wrong. You accept that people make mistakes.
You do not seek the spotlight. You let your actions speak for themselves.
Your choices reflect your values even when the choice is difficult. You are honest, keep your promises, and present yourself genuinely.
Your choices reflect your values even when the choice is difficult. You are honest, keep your promises, and present yourself genuinely.
You are generous to others and you are never too busy to help out. You enjoy doing good deeds for other people.
You are generous to others and you are never too busy to help out. You enjoy doing good deeds for other people.
You value each member of your group and inspire people to do their best.
You master new skills and topics on your own or in school.
You like to consider new ideas and try new things. You examine things from all sides and don’t jump to conclusions.
You like to consider new ideas and try new things. You examine things from all sides and don’t jump to conclusions.
You complete what you start despite obstacles. You never give up.
You appreciate that people see things in different ways. You have the ability to understand the world from multiple points of view.
You appreciate that people see things in different ways. You have the ability to understand the world from multiple points of view.
You plan for the future and achieve your goals by making careful everyday choices.
You have beliefs about the meaning of life and your life’s purpose. You seek to be part of something greater than yourself.
You have beliefs about the meaning of life and your life’s purpose. You seek to be part of something greater than yourself.
You have the ability to control your emotions and behaviors. You think before you act.
You are aware of other people’s thoughts and feelings. You understand why they do things.
You are aware of other people’s thoughts and feelings. You understand why they do things.
You work well as a member of a group or team. You are loyal, reliable, and dedicated to helping your team achieve its goals.
You work well as a member of a group or team. You are loyal, reliable, and dedicated to helping your team achieve its goals.
P2 for Families gives parents simple, no-prep ways to talk about character strengths with their kids.