"Humility is nothing else but a right judgment of ourselves"

William Law presents humility as fundamentally intertwined with self-awareness and discernment. Rather than viewing humility as false modesty, self-deprecation, or submissiveness, Law suggests it stems from a clear, honest assessment of one’s own character, abilities, limitations, and place in the wider world. Humility emerges when a person sees themselves neither as superior nor inferior to others, but as a unique but fallible human being among many, equally capable of error and worthy of improvement.

True judgment of oneself requires sincerity, courage, and a disciplined mind. It is neither influenced by excessive pride that magnifies one’s virtues nor by insecurity that exaggerates one’s flaws. Instead, it is a balanced perception rooted in truth. When someone makes a right judgment about themselves, they recognize their strengths and contributions without pretending they are infallible or indispensable. Likewise, they acknowledge their weaknesses and areas for growth without succumbing to shame or hopelessness.

Law’s view implies humility is not passive resignation or blind self-denial, but an active engagement with reality. The humble person constantly evaluates themselves in the light of reason, conscience, and, for Law as a Christian writer, perhaps spiritual ideals. Such a disposition fosters empathy and respect for others, for one no longer needs to compete in a futile race of comparisons, and neither self-loathing nor arrogance find fertile soil to grow.

Moreover, humility opens the way for learning and development. With a right judgment of oneself, a person is receptive to new ideas, willing to admit mistakes, and prepared to seek help or advice. Humility, then, supports personal growth and authentic relationships since it removes the barriers of ego. Law’s aphorism encapsulates the idea that clear-sighted self-assessment, rather than public acts of modesty or self-effacement, is at the heart of true humility.