Learn to be Humble At All Times

“Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice.” - Anton Chekhov

“Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.” - John Wooden

Let's take a look at this story that illustrate this point:

The Professor and the Oarsman

One day, a professor was conducting a study at sea. He went out to sea in a 'sampan' with an oarsman. The oarsman job is to row the 'sampan'. The oarsman was an old and quiet man. This was fine with the professor as he did not want any disturbance while he did his work.

For many hours, the professor examined water specimens from the sea and wrote down notes in his book. The oarsman looked up to the sky and thought to himself, "Hmm... It looks like it's going to rain". Finally, when the professor had completed his work, he said, "Okay, let's get back to the shore". Only during the journey back did the professor speak to the oarsman.

"How long have you been rowing boats?" asked the professor. "Almost all my life", replied the oarsman. "Your whole life? So you don't know anything else besides rowing boats?" asked the professor. The oarsman just shook his head from side to side.

"Do you know geography?" asked the professor. The oarsman shook his head quietly. "In that case, you have lost 25 percent of your life,"said the professor.

"Do you know biology?" The oarsman shook his head. "You poor soul. You have lost 50 percent of your life.

Do you know physics?" Again, the oarsman simply shook his head. "How pitiful, you have lost 75 percent of your life then, you are so unfortunate; you don't know anything. You have wasted your whole life just rowing boats," said the professor arrogantly. The oarsman just kept quiet.

A few minutes later, it started to rain. Suddenly a huge wave swept the 'sampan' and overturned it. The professor and the oarsman were thrown into the sea.

Now, the oarsman asked the professor, "By the way, do you know how to swim?". The professor shook his head. "In that case, you have lost 100 percent of your life!!," cried the oarsman as he swam to the shore.

The moral of this story is:

It is no use having a high I.Q. or intelligence, if you do not know the more important things in life.

Someone may seem stupid in something that has nothing to do with his career or life. But he is a master in his line of work. So, do not look down on others just because they seem ignorant or stupid, because they may in fact be more successful than us.

“The more a person analyzes his inner self, the more insignificant he seems to himself. This is the first lesson of wisdom. Let us be humble, and we will become wise. Let us know our weakness, and it will give us power.” - William Ellery Channing

Let's acknowledge each individual person is very important. Each person has tremendous potential! Do you agree?

(Source of this story: Internet; Author Unknown)

Photo by The Outsider taken from this source

Related posts:

• Emotional intelligence versus I.Q.
• What you know can save your life!
• Be Courteous and Considerate