Failure, or: Humility

I've failed myself in so many ways
To enumerate them would me take days
But I would never judge you
For when all's said and through
Nothing but my humility stays

78 thoughts on “Failure, or: Humility”

1. we studied humility in our first week of Mussar. The catchword was “no more than my place, no less than my space”. It is a very difficult concept. Moses was said to be humble. But he was a leader who did not hesitate to take on Pharoah, Koreh and even his own sister. Plus, we are told to reprove our erring brethren if we witness misbehavior. So where is the boundary line between humility and tolerating wrongfulness? When, and not just if, we should sometimes judge others.
   But how?

   1. So where is the boundary line between humility and tolerating wrongfulness? When, and not just if, we should sometimes judge others.

      Peter, I had to read your comment several times to make sure I fully understood it. It may be the most serious and challenging comment that I’ve received. It’s a terrific point. When I wrote the poem, I wasn’t think about “wrongfulness” – I was thinking about people’s imperfections… but you are so right. There are definitely acts that I would judge somebody for severely. Where do I draw the line? I have absolutely no idea!

      -David

      1. I have tried to use another word, other than Judge, since ”judge not least you be judged…. ” perhaps, though, there is no other way to choose between?

         1. I’m open to suggestions!

2. The comments in French strained my Schoolboy brain, but a good job was done by all. The comments are poetry by themselves. I liked the insideoutidness of the poem.

   1. Thanks so much, Andrew 🙂

      I studied French in HS, which is enough for me to be able to have a basic understanding.

      -David

3. Humility is a quality which accentuates a beautiful mind in a subtle light, sadly it is so rare in these times.

   1. 💞

4. Profound lines, David!

   1. Thanks so much, Punam. I wasn’t really trying to be profound… just honest.
      -David

      1. You are welcome, David. I think honesty is oft underrated. 😊

5. Reblogged this on Nelson MCBS.

6. So nice. You are the most humble , down to earth guy I know and you proved it with this fabulous verse.

   Yasmin

   🤗

   1. ❤

      Thanks so much, Yassy.

      -David

      1. You are welcome, Ben.

         1. ❤

            1. 💖

7. Beautifully penned!

   1. Thank you, Kashvee!

      -David

8. ❣❣❣❣

   1. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

9. This poem is a balm
   for the humility
   of my aching soul today.
   For you have said
   what I felt
   but couldn’t say.

   Merci pour ces drapeaux de priers
   Le vent les attrappe
   et il les nous envoie
   pour colorer nos cœurs
   avec des coups de soleil

   1. Hélas … Mes petits drapeaux de prière sont déchirés et ravagés, mais le vent continue de souffler avec une force puissante.

      1. Je pense que ça c’est trop d’humilité… :)) 😜😚🙏

         1. 🤭

10. David, a beautiful poem! A very short tutorial on inner peace. ❤ Love it!

    1. ❤

11. Failure turns on the taps….so we can wash ourselves in that fragrant liquid called humility.
    What a refreshing feeling, all the great men an women, the beautiful and the ordinary have never judged failure.

    1. 🙂

12. Beautifully penned! The self and the other… the self through the other…

    1. Very much so.
       Thanks so much, Sangeetha!

       -David