Why does humility matter?

Their wordsOver time, that fiery intensity ebbed away, and I realised that the past wasn’t something to discard but to respect.

Their wordsArgue like you’re right and listen like you’re wrong. Have the humility to know what you don’t know and the curiosity to pursue knowledge and wisdom.

Their wordshaving the humility to give up on good bets turned bad might be just as important

Their wordsWe can still validate knowledge. But we need far greater humility in where we're going to find said truth, how long it takes to validate it, and our urge to protect ideological paradigms at all cost.

Their wordsBeing wrong means learning more about the world, and how it really works.

Their wordsWhen you are pursuing a craft you realize that the better you get, the humbler you are.

Their wordsConfident humility is being secure enough in your expertise and strengths to admit your ignorance and weaknesses. In Think Again, I highlighted evidence that confidence without humility breeds blind arrogance, and humility without confidence yields debilitating doubt.

Their wordsAlways swing confidently to the best of your ability. Always embrace a bad hit with the humility of a learner.

Their wordsYeah, it is interesting because, when people react against you by saying you are being arrogant about this, 99.999% of the time, all they mean is I disagree. That’s all they really mean, right?

Their wordsSelf-belief is immensely powerful. The most successful people I know believe in themselves almost to the point of delusion.

Their wordsBut then you draw some conclusions from this, and what you end up realizing is you’ve been hilariously presumptuous because by saying, “I’m a typical observer in the universe,” you’re saying, “Typical observers in the universe are like me,” and that is completely unjustified by anything.

Their wordsPart of the problem here is that in their eagerness to polish their humbleness, the best software developers seem overly keen to downplay their own talent, competence, or achievements.