In the current moment of social media flexes, self-proclaimed gurus, and a never-ending process of self-promotion, the ancient wisdom of Vidura Niti introduces us to a remedy long forgotten: humility. Vidura delivered phenomenal ideas on how to live an ethical life and placed true strength on modesty. There is a congruence to Vidura in today’s fast-paced, ego-inflated world. Vidura’s wisdom helps us avoid arrogance and allows us to confront life and relationships with purpose, produce processes that allow us to connect with humanity, and ease the chase for permanence in righteous ratings and holiness.
Vidura Niti is a discourse on ethical and pragmatic imperatives drawn from Mahabharata, in the dialogue between Vidura and King Dhritarashtra. Vidura’s discourse on virtue listed righteousness, self-restraint and humility as part of entitling and constructing foundations for a real life. For Vidura, humility is a not a state of weakness or submission, but a practice: the practice of wisdom over ego, service over self, and judgement with understanding. In an age obsessed with status and validation, Vidura’s direction towards modesty carries the weight of a radical practice.
One of Vidura’s most poignant verses on humility is found in the Udyoga Parva :
Original (Sanskrit):
न संनादति न प्रल्पति न च वै विद्वान् भवति गर्वितः।
विनयाद् याति सम्पत्तिम् विनयो हि परं बलम्॥
Transliteration:
Na samnādati na pralpati na cha vai vidvān bhavati garvitah,
Vinayād yāti sampattim vinayo hi param balam.
English Meaning:
A wise person does not boast loudly, nor chatter excessively, nor become arrogant. Through humility, one attains prosperity, for humility is the greatest strength.
This verse encapsulates Vidura’s philosophy: true wisdom lies in restraint, and humility is the path to success. Unlike arrogance, which alienates and blinds, humility opens doors to growth, respect, and inner peace.
The Need for Humility in Modern Society
In 2025, humility is often seen as a thing of the past. Social media platforms have created a madhouse of voices shouting over each other in order to be heard. The value of a person is now often taken at the quantity of likes, followers or viral moments they earn. The potential to feel confident about oneself can quickly veer into arrogance, creating distance in relationships and many lost opportunities. The words of Vidura encourage us to create a culture of modesty, as he proposes modesty is a superpower.
Think for a moment about the workplace. While the braggart colleague may receive short-run accolades for the best sales, that arrogance is turning peers away from her. Meanwhile, the humble team member whose only desire is to listen and contribute arguably creates trust and a more powerful impact. Companies like Google and Microsoft place an ever-increasing priority on “soft skills” including humility and empathy, realizing that they drive better conversations, ideas, and innovation.
In your personal and professional lives, humility can lead to deeper connections. If we go into our relationships with open hearts and abandon the need to prove ourselves, we allow ourselves a little space for authenticity. Vidura warned us about too many words, encouraging us to spend more time listening than speaking, which is a skill builders bridges in a polarized world, if something that’s needed more each day. Whether a family dispute or the “dialogues” of social media, humility allows us to stop talking and understanding that there is often worth differing opinions from our own.
Humility also safeguards us against the dangers of being overconfident. In this fast-paced world of technological change (AI, cryptocurrency, climate change solutions, etc.), who we identify as someone who knows all there is to know runs the risk of being left behind. Vidura’s sage person who is not arrogant, embraces curiosity and the unknown in a rapidly changing world [is a learning person, even if they stumble and trip along the way].
Putting Vidura’s Verse into Practice in the Modern World
Here’s how to best interpret Vidura’s verse so that can put it into practice:
“Does not boast loudly”: In modern terms, resist “over-sharing” or seeking validation on social media, or whatever method of communication you choose. Instead of posting everything you do or have accomplished, let your work stand for itself. You get more room for respect by being authentic, than by picking and choosing, or curating the perfect thing.
“Nor chatter excessively”: Vidura warns against foolish or mindless talk. We live in a world in which we can witness 24/7 news cycles. Impactful communication requires pre-thinking. Before shouting defensively or making a knee-jerk statement alone or with someone who may assume the person on the other’s end is all-knowing, think. Ask “is what I am going to say valuable?” Humble communication is not reactive communication, it is thoughtful.
“Nor become arrogant”: Arrogance comes from insecurity, not strength. In a day and age of constant competition between ourselves and others, find footing, self-awareness, and the things that make you human. Instead of feeling diminished by someone else’s successes or sagacity, pkay yourself at their level, and share in the success. That is true confidence.
“By being humble, one garners prosperity”: Vidura’s conception of prosperity is not just physical wealth. Humility offers a wealth far more profound—relationships, mental toughness, mental clarity. Research from HBS, among others, shows that employees who work for humble leaders tend to develop psychological ownership and loyalty that drives performance for long-term success.
“Humility is the greatest power”: while the idea of humility as a strength is something to consider in a culture where being loud is considered more powerful, Vidura seems to suggest humility requires the most courage, rather than toughness or strength. The courage to admit we don’t know everything, the courage to ask for feedback about performance, and the courage to learn and grow—all actions and attitudes of humility and low ego. True strength is quiet humility and it’s enduring!!
Challenges and Benefits
Choosing to be humble isn’t easy; and while it may be easier to be louder and demanding in a world that often celebrates those behaviors, it’s important to remember humility is practiced patience. Having the courage to say “I don’t know” in a boardroom, or to even say “I’m sorry” in frontline those moments also takes courage. Vidura makes clear that humility is a long-game. Abrasiveness may be met with applause, but humble choices build legacies.
The benefits of humility are profound. Humble people are more approachable and trustworthy. The consequences extend beyond work into personal life. Humble people report happiness—psychology tells us the humble are less stressed about life and more satisfied in their lives. The more we can shift away from ego, the less fatigued we become of having to prove our worth!
A Call to Action
As we embark upon another year, fast approaching 2025, let’s apply the enduring advice of Vidura. Before you share that braggy update, take a moment to pause. Hear and listen with intent in your next conversation. Appreciate someone else’s success without envy. Each act of humility is a small gesture that creates a ripple effect with no bounds. It’s these small gestures of humility that can create a culture of kindness and collaboration.
In a world that shouts for attention, humility offers wisdom. It’s not about dimming your light, it’s about shining it in a way that lifts others. Vidura’s verse is our map to a bigger life – a life in which we find prosperity not in the number of followers, but in the number of lives we serve.
In a world full of noise, humility is your superpower—quiet, but unstoppable.