Humility

All that goes up must come down. We should not be proud when we prosper, but must be aware of the possibility of downfall. We should be humble in the moments of our triumph.

This expression emphasizes the importance of humility, hard work, and patience during the process of achieving a goal. It suggests that if one is willing to work humbly and endure hardships while a task is being performed (or while learning), they will earn the respect and success needed to live proudly for the rest of their life.

This proverb is used to criticize people who become overly arrogant or display excessive pride over minor achievements or small possessions. It suggests that a little bit of wealth or status shouldn't make a person lose their humility or act superior to others.

This proverb emphasizes the peace of mind that comes with being debt-free. It suggests that living a humble or simple life within one's means is far superior to living luxuriously on borrowed money. It is used to advise someone to prioritize financial independence and contentment over superficial status.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one must humble themselves or flatter even an unworthy or inferior person to get a specific job done or to achieve a goal. It emphasizes pragmatism and temporary compromise for the sake of success.

This proverb advises discretion and humility. It suggests that one should not brag or announce their intentions before acting (to avoid failure or interference), nor should one blindly follow spoken advice without evaluation. It is often used to emphasize that actions should speak louder than words and that true success is achieved through silent hard work.

This proverb is used to describe someone who, upon gaining a small amount of power or a slightly elevated position, immediately begins to act with excessive pride or makes premature, arrogant demands. It highlights the behavior of people who lose their humility the moment they achieve even a minor status.

This proverb highlights that one's status, power, or influence is often local and relative. A person who is highly respected or influential in their own familiar surroundings might be treated as a complete stranger or an ordinary person elsewhere. It is used to teach humility and to remind people that their authority has geographical or social limits.

This is a sarcastic expression or proverb used to highlight how excessive or flowery titles can often be thinly veiled insults or mockeries. It is used when someone offers a high-sounding title that actually belittles the recipient's status, or when someone rejects a fake compliment that carries a hidden sting. It reflects a humble person's wit in turning a mock-honor back onto the person giving it.

This proverb is used to emphasize that basic necessities like food are the same for everyone, regardless of their wealth. It suggests that money cannot buy everything and that even the richest person must eat simple grains to survive, reminding people to remain humble and practical about the value of wealth.

This proverb emphasizes that habits, discipline, and character are best formed during childhood. If someone is not corrected or taught while they are young and flexible (like a sapling), they will become rigid and impossible to change once they grow older (like a sturdy tree). It is often used to stress the importance of early education and parenting.

This proverb is used to describe a family or a situation where everyone is simple, humble, or lacks specific status/qualities, leading to a life without complications or pretenses. It often implies a state of being basic or unremarkable but content.

This proverb emphasizes that regardless of how much wealth one accumulates, a human's basic physical needs remain simple and limited. It is used to teach humility and to point out that one cannot eat money; wealth is only a means to satisfy basic survival needs like food.

This proverb suggests that one's lifestyle and display of status should be proportional to their financial resources, and similarly, as a person gains more knowledge and education, they should naturally become more humble and modest.

This proverb emphasizes that knowledge is vast and no single person can claim absolute mastery over all subjects. Similarly, every person, no matter how uneducated or simple, possesses some form of unique knowledge or skill. It is used to promote humility among the learned and respect for everyone's inherent wisdom.

This proverb suggests that opportunities, wealth, or help naturally gravitate toward those who are humble or those who have a genuine need. It is often used to imply that benefits flow to the deserving and well-prepared, or that good things settle where there is a receptive and grounded environment.

Truth will out at last.

This expression is used to describe a situation where, due to bad luck or extreme adversity, even a person of great status or power must humble themselves and seek help from someone insignificant or unworthy. It refers to the legend where Vasudeva, to save baby Krishna, had to humble himself before a donkey to prevent it from braying and alerting guards.

This expression is used to describe a small but sincere contribution to a much larger cause. It originates from the Ramayana, where a small squirrel helped Lord Rama build the bridge to Lanka by carrying tiny grains of sand. It is used when someone wants to humbly acknowledge that while their help might be minimal in the grand scheme of things, it is offered with great sincerity.

This proverb conveys that life is a cycle of ups and downs. Just as seasons change, periods of suffering will eventually be followed by periods of prosperity and happiness. It is used to offer hope during difficult times or to remind people to stay humble during successful times.

The virtuous one would remain silent and wouldn’t make a show. It is only the empty vessels that make much noise.

True learning is humble. Empty vessels give the greatest sound. Deep rivers move in silence, shallow brooks are noisy.