Can humility be taught or is it an innate character trait?

I don’t think that it can be taught by rote or by note. But, it can be lived, and imitated.

Some people can’t even find Alaska on a map…..

I believe people can learn to be humble. Some people are naturally more humble than others, but everyone can improve their “skills” in that regard. But you have to be willing to learn it.

I don’t think it can be taught. There are some people who are so arrogant or narcissistic that humility is not an option. For example, George W Bush has a lot to be humble about, but do not expect humility. It is just not in him. Perhaps when he hit rock bottom with his alcoholism he may have temporarily felt humility, but I doubt that it lasted very long.

Yes, humility can be taught. Whether it can be learned is the issue. And for that, I would have to conclude both yes and no. It’s really up to the personality of the person who’s being taught. If someone is full of themselves, or raised to believe that they are superior to all others, it will be hard if not impossible for this person to understand and demonstrate humility. If however someone is raised in a gracious manner, they will be more receptive to the concept of humility.

It can be learned if the “student” is willing.

I would agree with dynamicduo and answer yes and no, and both. It really does depend on the person.

Everyone has different gifts. Some are more humble than others naturally because that’s just who they are. Still, others can learn to be more humble through experiencing certain things in their life, but that doesn’t mean everyone wants to be humble. Some people could care less about that trait.

But I can’t say I agree with Fireside’s comment. I don’t think it’s religion’s job to create a “productive global society” because if it was it would fail utterly. Religion doesn’t change people; it only gives them guidelines to live by, and some people just couldn’t give a flying rat’s you-know-what about rules, laws or guidlines. If someone really doesn’t want to become a better person than they currently are, then there’s just no changing their minds.

I also have other reasons why I don’t agree with his statement, but I’m not gonna get into that ‘cause I already answered the question, lol.

Humility is best taught through example. Being humble doesn’t mean that you don’t do your best or strive to have a better life. Humility is the way you view yourself and others.

I think we are hard wired to be egocentric-check out babies. By the time we are 2 yo and capable of reaping independent havoc, the world starts to teach us humility. That’s the only way we can survive. The older you get maintaining arrogance and a sense of entitlement, the harsher the lessons.

I agree that it is easier to learn humility than to teach it, at least to teach it in a productive manner. I never said that it was religion’s job to create a productive society, the quote comes from a larger discussion on religion. I think it is something that all people should focus on and it is something that has been a part of religion for ages, which is why the religions of the world should create a greater focus on humility and commonalities.
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There’s a story about Confucius…
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...The countries were laid waste, their inhabitants slaughtered, their rulers killed. Yet they fought without ceasing, and strove for material objects to the last. These are instances of striving for fame or for material objects. Have you not heard that even Sages cannot overcome this love of fame and this desire for material objects (in rulers)? Are you then likely to succeed? But of course you have a plan. Tell it to me.”

“Gravity of demeanor and humility; persistence and singleness of purpose, —will this do?” replied Yen Huei. “Alas, no,” said Confucius, “how can it? The Prince is a haughty person, filled with pride, and his moods are fickle. No one opposes him, and so he has come to take actual pleasure in trampling upon the feelings of others. And if he has thus failed in the practice of routine virtues, do you expect that he will take readily to higher ones? He will persist in his ways, and though outwardly he may agree with you, inwardly he will not repent.”

…“Concentrate your will. Hear not with your ears, but with your mind; not with your mind, but with your spirit. Let your hearing stop with the ears, and let your mind stop with its images. Let your spirit, however, be like a blank, passively responsive to externals. In such open receptivity only can Tao abide. And that open receptivity is the fasting of the heart.”

…“You have heard of men being wise with knowledge. You have never heard of men wise without knowledge “Look at that emptiness. There is brightness in an empty room. Good luck dwells in repose. If there is not (inner) repose, your mind will be galloping about though you are sitting still. Let your ears and eyes communicate within but shut out all knowledge from the mind. Then the spirits will come to dwell therein, not to mention man.

(Tao, Chuangtse (Lin Yutang tr))

It can certainly be learned. Sometimes the hard way.

I don’t think it comes naturally to anybody.

I believe it can be taught. In fact, I think that even when it seems as if it’s innate, it was just taught at a very young age (perhaps by parents).

Or the older sibling who puts you very physically in your place. MOOOOOM, make him stop. LOL