Pride Vs. Humility

Jasper Johns doesn’t want to talk about his art. To anyone.

Even though The New York Times proclaimed him as the United States’ “foremost living artist,” Johns remains reticent to discuss his works or their value, which at times fetch millions of dollars.

Johns specializes in abstract expressionism, Neo-Dada, and pop art and often uses the American flag as the centerpiece of his paintings. Johns isn’t going to embrace any interpretations of his works, using humor to avoid the topic and deflect praise.

Johns once joked that of the dozens of books that have been written about his art, his favorite was in Japanese — because he couldn’t understand the language.

Why isn’t Johns more prideful about his work? Why is he reluctant to boast when he knows his art is well-received and adored?

Johns understands that possessing a strong sense of pride interferes with his creative path and can become a deterrent to great work. Being prideful causes a sense of accomplishment, which can make us seem God-like. Johns wants to work in a humble state, allowing the purity of his craft to shine the brightest.

Humility, not pride, is the key to his success.

Many use pride in the positive sense. But it can also carry a negative connotation. When someone leads with it, he/she can have an inflated sense of self-worth and believe he is superior to others.

Being overly prideful can fuel a desire for power and control, leading to destructive behavior and strained relationships. Being overly prideful hinders further progress as once we become enamored with our work, we often stop striving for more.

We want to hear praise to feed our prideful energy and stop thinking of ways to improve.

John Ruskin, the 18th-century English writer, and philosopher, once said: “In general, pride is at the bottom of all great mistakes.”

On the other hand, humility is the virtue of recognizing our limitations, acknowledging our imperfections and valuing others. Humble individuals have a realistic view of themselves and are willing to admit when they are wrong or need assistance. They do not seek to elevate themselves above others, but instead foster a sense of equality and mutual respect.

Johns doesn’t want to discuss his work; he wants it to speak for itself, thus allowing him more humility to guide it.

When you examine pride and humility, there is a clear, more concise understanding of the two.

With humility comes strength. With pride comes weakness.

With humility comes accountability. With pride come excuses and reluctance to accept a mistake.

With humility comes kindness, not believing you are superior to others. With pride comes entitlement and superiority.

With humility comes modesty. With pride comes arrogance.

When we lead with humility, we bring people together. When we lead with pride, we separate.

Next time we feel great pride, remember what Julius Caesar once said: “If I fail, it is only because I have too much pride and ambition.”