The Braggarts and Egocentrics ~ A Poem

John is passionate about human and animal rights, social justice, equality, and the environment, and likes to convey that in his writing.

Humility vs Arrogance

Can you be confident, aggressive, and also humble? Who said, "No, of course not."? Yes, you certainly can! Unfortunately, humility is often seen as an undesirable attribute. Yet, in fact, it is one of the most powerful virtues. Too often humility or genuine modesty is tagged as a lack of aggressiveness.

Newsflash! ... It is actually a lack of arrogance.

Confidence comes from pushing past your limits, through humbling learned experiences, and achievements. Humility comes from understanding your responsibilities to others and situations outside your own self.

Success is born out of arrogance, but greatness comes from humility.

— Marco Pierre White

Today, in an increasingly arrogant and egotistical world, more than ever it’s important to not confuse confidence with arrogance, or humility with a lack of aggressiveness. They are incredibly different beasts.

Do you have the quiet confidence and humility of David or the conceited arrogance of Goliath?

Arrogant people believe they have the right to own others. To tell them what they can say, what they should believe etc. They are manipulative. And they believe they are always ‘right’.

Showing humility is a sign of strength. It is not a weakness. Beware the fallacy that because someone seems ‘nice’ or 'meek' they aren’t aggressive, competitive, or goal-driven. Outside appearances can be misleading.

It’s called handling yourself with grace. Humility is powerful.

The Braggarts and Egocentrics

Beware the selfish blatherskite

and the conceited swaggerer.

Avoid the pompous peacock

and the narcissistic bragger.

Sidestep the stuck-up windbag

with the ego inflated head.

Give the gascon a wide berth

and braggadocio the fend.

Self-centred blowhards have no place,

they're wrapped up in themselves.

Leave them alone to self-indulge,

worshipping their trophy shelves.

The peacock's plumage is its enemy: O many the king who hath been slain by his magnificence!

— Maulana Jalaluddin Mohammad Balkhi

They are egomaniacal,

vainglorious and proud,

individualistic hotshots

who trumpet very loud.

They have scant regard for others,

of their joy, success or grief.

The world revolves 'round only them,

and they bathe in self-belief.

Don't be a megalomaniac,

or selfish know-it-all,

be a humble caring soul

on whose help others call.

Pride makes easy decisions hard. Humility makes hard decisions easy

— Stella Payton

Humility, kindness, empathy

are gifts that I hold high,

while the braggarts and egocentrics

display traits I must decry.

The quiet and unassuming

are often seen as weak,

but strength is gained from listening,

and the power that brings - unique.

Do not submit to bullies

who always seek to bring you down.

Don't let their ranting make you cower,

just proudly stand your ground.

Their loudmouth strutting is all show,

They're insecure grandstanders.

When there's conflict on the frontline,

They become silent bystanders.

The biggest challenge after success is shutting up about it.

— Criss Jami

© 2022 John Hansen