Modesty
Modesty
Modesty (/ˈmɒdɪsti/), from the Latin word modestus meaning "keeping within measure", is a personality trait which involves being reserved, humble, or shy, typically resulting from a moderate estimation of one's abilities or worth. It is often associated with a variety of cultural, religious, and philosophical contexts.
Etymology
The term modesty originates from the Latin modestus which means "keeping within measure". It is derived from modus meaning "measure" or "manner". The term was adopted into Middle English around the 14th century from the Old French modeste.
Related Terms
- Humility: A virtue that involves a person thinking less of themselves. It is often seen as a major aspect of modesty.
- Shyness: A feeling of apprehension or lack of comfort in social situations. It is often associated with modesty.
- Virtue: A trait or quality deemed to be morally good. Modesty is often considered a virtue in many cultures and religions.
- Self-esteem: A person's overall sense of their value or worth. It can be affected by a person's level of modesty.
Cultural and Religious Contexts
In many cultures and religions, modesty is considered a virtue and is often associated with humility, decency, and propriety. It is often expressed through behavior, clothing, and conduct. For example, in Islam, modesty is a fundamental aspect of a Muslim's faith and is expressed through the concept of Haya.
In Christianity, modesty is often associated with humility and the rejection of vanity. The Bible contains several passages that encourage modesty in behavior and appearance.
In Buddhism, modesty is considered a virtue and is associated with the concept of Right Conduct, one of the elements of the Eightfold Path.
Philosophical Contexts
In philosophy, modesty is often discussed in the context of ethics and morality. For example, in Aristotelian ethics, modesty is considered a mean between the extremes of vanity and self-deprecation.
Immanuel Kant, a prominent figure in Western philosophy, viewed modesty as a virtue that restrains our desire for recognition and helps us to respect the moral law.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Modesty
- Wikipedia's article - Modesty
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