Lowliness as opposed to pride, the two extreme human characters

BY JOSEPH SOBOKA

Politeness is having or showing the possession of good manners and consideration for other people. Politeness takes broad mindedness in situations that demands patience. Obviously, it is human nature to be seen as superior to others. It a feeling that satisfies our ego, that is built in us and is very difficult to subdue it. In every relationship between persons, this issue tends to pop up uncontrollably and unconditionally. Comparing oneself with the other person to prove the feeling that I am better than you and you should admit your inferiority and place yourself where you belong to is creates trouble among friends. You cannot dare to measure yours strength and quality to be equal with me.

Politeness equips a person to resist such a false notion about oneself and rather compels one to accept the truth and reconcile with the reality of true self. Pride, after all, thinks too high an opinion of one self. The possession: the property and the knowledge one has, are believed to be the roots of pride. The owner the wealth, filled with pride, thinks he is the maker and breaker of everything and those who are below him are irrelevant and amount to nothing. A contrite person sees this situation from a different angle and believes that the other person, apart from himself, is worthy to be of much importance. Any possession that a person thinks he owns is so illusory that the owner keeps himself aloof. He takes no part in any activities of the people around him; he keeps away from others. The farther he keeps himself much higher than those around him, the deeper the pit he is bound to fall into when things take the wrong turn. As oppose to the contrite, the proud man, all he thinks of is himself and with little consideration for others. In principle, permanent ownership lasts as long as the owner exists. However, guilt pervades the whole being of the owner as he knows how the money or other possessions came his way to make him rich and feel like he does. The guilt of corruption, misappropriation, and fraud etc., set him on fire, making his life miserable rather than happy.

The polite person, his lowly spirit, cloth him with confidence and makes his life that of happiness. In fact, the possession that the person prides himself on is rather a temporary ownership; it is just for the time being, it soon fades unnoticed leaving the owner financially and psychologically naked. One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. The contrite even though despised in the eyes of the proud, even if he makes mistakes or offends fellow men, shows deep sorrows for wrong doing. He does not argue to prove himself innocent like the proud one. He believes the truth remains unchanged unless by forgiveness. Thus, to keep peace and coexist with others, it is better to be of lowly in spirit with the poor, than to divide the spoil with the proud. In fact, there is no way the proud allows others to share the spoil with him owing to his selfish nature. He is inconsiderate of other’s interest. A lowly person is so patient and generous and giving freely to people who identify with him. He is thoughtful of the needs of others; he put other’s interest before his own. When he sees others enjoy, he too, partakes of their joy. But the proud person hates seeing when others are happy. He aspires to monopolize everything good and leaving the bad to others; it is his desire that people always suffer. He considers others not his equals with him but his enemies and he exults over them. In other words, he exults that he has succeeded in his viciousness to subdue those he treats as inferior to him. He is given to vices; little noble act is observed in him.

A proud man is spiteful and does things with evil intent. Ill will governs his actions. He has the desire to cause pain or damage to even closest friend, if at all he has ever enjoyed the beauty friendship with anybody. Having grudges, against those who have business dealing with him, is a special key to his relation with friends. People approach him with apprehension no matter how hard he tries to appear friendly. But the meek shall ever enjoy the good relationship with all who cross their path and delight themselves

in abundant peace; their peace is not limited, it is the kind that overflows to others. Only a drop of blood with a person pure at heart can open the eyes to fairness. Fair share is utterly unknown to the person filled with greed and avarice. He has great eagerness to grab whatever comes without considering the interest of fellow men. Blessed are the meek for their relationship is so much amiable and filled with good temper that attracts many from distance. Both man and God look at the person who is humble and contrite in spirit and pure at heart.

The meek shall obtain fresh joy in anything and anybody they contact. In the eye of the proud person, the contrite are seen as poor among mankind and should be neglected. But these kind and sober persons shall exult in everything they do and trust in their holy creator who has filled them with such good spirit and appealing qualities. Each lowly person knows how to control his body in holiness and honor. He is not given to a reckless life. Unlike the person who is filled unreasonable and uncontrolled pride. He is much cautious in every step in his life. The positive outcome, from which all can benefit, is the main and primary concern of the lowly individual. It is in view of others interest that he does things. But when the proud man sits on his throne of arrogance, the people lament for the threat of peril closing in on them.

Abreast of this, on the other hand, we should beware of the pretentious politeness that is exhibited in our daily interactions with people. Politeness and pride are parallel in character manifestations in life like darkness and light. A proud man in all his manifestations represents darkness; darkness, of course, sets stumbling block to the feet as the traveller cannot see anything as he takes steps to move forward. Politeness or contrite, as much as light, that dispels darkness, makes the pathway clear and the journey easy. Furthermore, the contrite, as good as the light, with its magnetic effect attracts people. The traveller, of his own accord, freely presses on without any hindrance and can clearly see where he is heading for; he hurries and continues in a determined way without difficulty. But in darkness, as it is difficult to have clear view of the surrounding, confusion takes over as no one can locate the destination ahead. They do not know where and how to step, lack of confidence in every movement entails insecurity.

The way of pride is fenced by hatred lest anyone crosses it. Violent dislike against friends marks a sinister way of the proud man. The disdain lurking there does not refrain from harming anyone he thinks is his enemy, particularly the contrite. The contrite, since he represents light, is immune to such trivial or humdrum, to be more specific, a commonplace. He considers things in their higher level than debasing the truth and the courage in him. He is firmly planted in his domain with nothing to uproot him. He is well aware of the fact, pride goes before destruction. Thus, he is never ever moved by the windbag of pride any time anywhere. Self-righteousness has no use for the contrite. He is confident and trustworthy. Where do you place yourself, my friend? The answer is left to you.

The Ethiopian Herald Sunday edition January 19/2020

 BY JOSEPH SOBOKA