Humility and the Low Place
Shared across 7 traditions
Taoism, Christianity, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Stoicism, Sikhism
Taoism
The highest excellence is like (that of) water. The excellence of water appears in its benefiting all things, and in its occupying, without striving (to the contrary), the low place which all men dislike. Hence (its way) is near to (that of) the Tao.
The Tao Te Ching, ch. 8, James Legge (Sacred Books of the East, Vol. 39), 1891
Christianity
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The Bible (King James Version), Matthew 5:3, 1611
Buddhism
Is there in this world any man so restrained by humility that he does not mind reproof, as a well-trained horse the whip?
The Dhammapada, v. 143, F. Max Müller (Sacred Books of the East, Vol. 10), 1881
Confucianism
He brings it forth in humility. He completes it with sincerity. This is indeed a superior man.
The Confucian Analects, bk. i, James Legge, 1893
Hinduism
When the work is done, and one's name is becoming distinguished, to withdraw into obscurity is the way of Heaven.
The Tao Te Ching, ch. 9, James Legge (Sacred Books of the East, Vol. 39), 1891
Stoicism
How many after being celebrated by fame have been given up to oblivion; and how many who have celebrated the fame of others have long been dead.
Meditations, Book VII, Marcus Aurelius, George Long, 1862
Sikhism
O Nanak, God blesses the unworthy with virtue, and bestows virtue on the virtuous. No one can even imagine anyone who can bestow virtue upon Him.
Shri Guru Granth Sahib, Japji section, anonymous English translation, 1877