The following is a thought from Reb Tzadok of Lublin on the subject of humility. He expresses that haughtiness is actually an expression of lack of accomplishment, as opposed to the other way around[1].
The consciousness of one’s accomplishments in the service of G-d is actually an indicator that he has not accomplished anything.
On this the Talmud (Kiddushin 49b) states: “A sign of conceit is poverty…of learning.” The person who is conceited trusts in himself too much, does not study and will eventually fall behind those that are not conceited.
This idea is expressed in the Talmud (Bava Metzia 85b) as follows:
“R. Chama said: What is meant by (Mishlei 14:33), ‘Wisdom rests in the heart of him that has understanding; but that which is in the midst of fools is made known?’ ‘Wisdom rests in the heart of him that has understanding’ — this refers to a scholar, the son of a scholar; ‘but that which is in the midst of fools is made known’ — to a scholar, the son of an ‘am ha-aretz’ (simpleton). Said Ulla: ‘Thus it is proverbial, One stone in a pitcher cries out “rattle, rattle.”‘”
A full container does not rattle, an empty one does. When a person’s ego is rattling and expressive, this reveals that in truth he is hollow.
The Zohar (3:193b) states: “I sign that one doesn’t know anything is self-praise.” The less a person knows and the less they have actually accomplished, the more noise they make and the more they praise their self-worth.
When one is accomplished and full of knowledge, the individual will choose to be quiet and humble, rather than be loud and boastful.
This indicator is not merely in regard to praise to others, but even the praise that one gives themselves in their own heart is negative, and the litmus test that expressive that they have accomplished nothing.
This essentially is what led to the fall of Kayin and to his murdering his brother Hevel. Although he sacrificed an inferior offering to G-d, he convinced himself that he had done something great and was therefore offended when his offering was not accepted by the Almighty.
It was because he thought that he had already reached perfection and no longer had an evil inclination, that G-d reminded of it.
The verse (Bereishis 4:6-7) states: “And the Lord said to Kayin, ‘Why are you annoyed, and why has your countenance fallen? Is it not so that if you improve, it will be forgiven you? If you do not improve, however, at the entrance, sin is lying, and to you is its longing, but you can rule over it.’”
G-d showed him that in truth, he still had a strong evil inclination and he still had much work to accomplish, and therefore should neither be haughty or offended.
The same is true in our lives, when we realize how little we have truly accomplished, we will be incredibly humbled and inspired to continue working, instead of sitting on our laurels.
[1] Tzidkas HaTzadik, #85.
