‘Self-Effacement and Self-Importance’

This is too good to pass up—from Maverick Philosopher, Bill Vallicella:

To what extent is it a sign of self-importance that one regularly draws attention to one’s own insignificance?  I am thinking of Simone Weil.   In self-effacement the ego may find a way to assert itself.  “Do you see how pure and penetrating is my love of truth that I am able to realize and admit my own personal nothingness face to face with Truth?”

The ego, wily ‘structure’ that it is, usually (always?) finds a way to affirm itself.

Or a variation…”Humility is such a high virtue. See how humble I am?” Nonetheless, I’ve long had an odd attraction to Simone Weil’s writing.

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012 James Ament

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