Here’s a fascinating discussion on the topic of modesty, and its relationship to speaking truth, and particularly difficult or controversial truth, in the public sphere.

Bill Whittle, who jokes that he’s the most modest guy in the world and has the awards to prove it, says that he came about his own humility through 25 years of professional and career struggles – there are few things which can beat modesty into your psyche like having your electricity shut off because you can’t pay the bill.

But what Whittle says is important to him is that coming about one’s opinions through humility allows one to allow the truth – rather than his own arrogant impositions upon it – to guide one’s thinking. And in that, he’s correct. We see all the time the downfall of people who attempt to define reality through the power of their own will; the real world always has other ideas.