"Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance"

Humility is the cornerstone of all other virtues. Without humbleness, it is difficult to have any other virtue. Saint Augustine believed that humility is the foundation of all other virtues, and that without it, any other virtue is merely superficial. He argued that humility is essential for an individual to be able to recognize their own faults and weaknesses, and to be able to accept criticism and learn from it. He likewise thought that humility is essential for a person to be able to acknowledge the strengths and capabilities of others, and to be able to value and respect them. In addition, humbleness is required for an individual to be able to forgive and to be able to reveal mercy. Without humbleness, an individual is unable to acknowledge their own constraints and to be able to accept the restrictions of others. Saint Augustine's quote is a suggestion that humbleness is the structure of all other virtues, which without it, any other virtue is merely shallow.