View source for Meekness

{{Short description|Personality trait of being docile and avoiding violence}}
{{Redirect|Meek}}
'''Meekness''' is an attribute of human nature and behavior that has been defined as an amalgam of [[righteousness]], inner [[humility]], and [[patience]].<ref name=TFD>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefreedictionary.com/meekness|website=The Free Dictionary|title=meekness}}</ref>

Meekness has been contrasted with humility alone insomuch as humility simply refers to an attitude towards oneself—a restraining of one's own power<ref>{{cite book|last=Matthew|first=Henry|year=1806|title=A Discourse Concerning Meekness|publisher=Wm. Hilliard|location=Cambridge}}{{page needed|date=August 2023}}</ref> so as to allow room for others—whereas meekness refers to the treatment of others.<ref>{{multiref2
|1={{cite book|first=Elizabeth Agnew|last=Cochran|title=Receptive Human Virtues: A New Reading of Jonathan Edwards's Ethics|year=2011|page=82|quote=[Jonathan Edwards] distinguishes the two in the ''Work of Redemption'' by suggesting that humility and patience are virtues a moral agent cultivates respecting herself, and meekness is a virtue that an agent exercises twoard others.}}
|2={{cite book|first=K. Douglas|last=Bassett|title=Doctrinal Insights to the Book of Mormon|year=2008|page=197}} }}</ref>

== Christianity ==
Meekness, as understood in the [[Christianity|Christian]] perspective, finds its embodiment in the actions and teachings of [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]]. During the crucifixion, as He endured the agonizing process, Jesus exemplified meekness by uttering a prayer on behalf of His executioners: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" ({{Bibleverse|Luke|23:34}}).

The Apostle Paul emphasized that a servant of the Lord should instruct those who are at odds with themselves in a spirit of meekness ({{Bibleverse|2 Timothy|2:24–25}}).

[[Thomas Browne]] analogized meekness to swallowing pills without chewing. In this metaphor, meekness involves the ability to absorb and endure perceived injuries, choosing to overlook or forgive insults and offenses, rather than allowing their bitterness to endure.{{r|TFD}}{{better source needed|date=August 2023}}

In the teachings of Jesus, specifically in the Beatitudes, "the meek" are singled out for recognition. This concept aligns meekness with the classical virtue of magnanimity, a virtue admired by Aquinas.<ref>{{cite book|first=Craig Steven|last=Titus|title=Resilience and the Virtue of Fortitude|year=2006|page=320}}</ref> This connection highlights the dignity and strength found within meekness.

John Stott provides a modern interpretation of meekness, asserting that it represents a balance between excessive anger and complete absence of anger. Contrary to misconceptions, meekness is not synonymous with weakness; rather, it embodies the gentleness of the strong, who exercise control over their strength.<ref>{{cite web|first=John|last=Stott|url=https://johnstott.org/bible_studies/14-december-2016/|title=A Commentary by John Stott|publication-date=14 December 2016|work=The Message of Ephesians: Being a Christian}}</ref>

== Other traditions ==
In [[Buddhism]], meekness is highly esteemed,<ref>{{cite book|first=John Braisted|last=Carman|title=Majesty and Meekness|year=1994|page=124}}</ref>{{Verify source|reason=page 124 does not seem to support this claim|date=August 2023}} with the Buddha himself appearing as the "Preacher of Meekness" in one of his past lives. An anecdote recounts how he endured the severing of his limbs by a jealous king without expressing complaint, illustrating meekness.<ref name=Ajanta>{{cite book|first=Dieter|last=Schlinghoff|title=Studies in the Ajanta Paintings|year=1987}}</ref>{{rp|219}}

[[Taoism]] extols the virtues of submission and non-contention.<ref>{{cite book|translator-first=D.C.|translator-last=Lau|title=Tao Te Ching|author=Lao Tzu|year=1963|pages=25–29}}</ref> These qualities are upheld as central tenets within Taoist philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of yielding and avoiding unnecessary conflict.

{{bibleverse|Numbers|12:3}} describes [[Moses]] as an extraordinarily meek individual, surpassing all others on the earth in terms of his humility and gentleness.

Within [[Islam]], the concept of {{transliteration|ar|faqr}}, sometimes translated as "poverty," holds a central position. It is an attribute associated with [[Faqeer|mystics]], and particularly exemplified by the Prophet. The Prophet referred to {{transliteration|ar|faqr}} as his source of pride, indicating its spiritual significance. In a spiritual context, {{transliteration|ar|faqr}} entails a lack of desire for worldly wealth, recognition, or otherworldly blessings. A key aspect of {{transliteration|ar|faqr}} is the refusal to ask anything from others,<ref>{{cite book |title=Mystical Dimensions of Islam |first=Annemarie |last=Schimmel |page=121 |publisher=University of North Carolina Press |orig-year=1975 |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-8078-9976-2}}</ref> as seeking from created beings conflicts with reliance on God. This refusal stems from the belief that receiving from the created would engender gratitude aimed at the giver rather than God.<ref>{{cite book|first1=Khadim|last1=Sultan-ul-Faqr|first2=Mohammad|last2=Najib-ur-Rehman|year=2015|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=hlyMAwAAQBAJ&dq=what+is+faqr&pg=PA145 145]|title=Sultan Bahoo: The Life and Teachings|publisher=Sultan-ul-Faqr Publications|location=Lahore|isbn=978-969-9795-18-3}}</ref>

==Animal analogues==
The classical Greek word used to translate meekness was also that for a horse that had been tamed and bridled.<ref>{{cite book|first=John K.|last=Bergland|title=The Journeys of Robert Williams|year=2010|page=53}} </ref> To Buddhists, the buffalo holds a lesson in meekness.{{r|Ajanta|page=144}}

==Literary examples==
{{prose|section|date=August 2023}}
* Meekness is used to characterise the nature of Tess in [[Tess of the D'Urbervilles]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Harold|last=Bloom|title=Thomas Hardy|year=2010|page=84}}</ref>{{Importance inline|date=August 2023}}
* The Heroine of ''[[Possession (Byatt novel)|Possession: A Romance]]'' judges the hero as "a gentle and unthreatening being. Meek, she thought drowsily, turning out the light. Meek."<ref>{{cite book|first=A. S.|last=Byatt|title=Possession: A Romance|year=1991|page=141}}</ref>{{Importance inline|date=August 2023}}

== Criticism ==
{{prose|section|date=August 2023}}
*[[Beethoven]] rejected meekness and equality in favor of cultural [[elitism]]: “''Power'' is the moral principle of those who excel others”.<ref>{{cite book|first=Maynard|last=Solomon|title=Beethoven Essays|year=1988|page=204}}</ref>
*[[Nietzsche]] rejected meekness as part of a parasitic revolt by the low against the lofty, the manly, and the high.<ref>{{cite book|editor-first=Walter|editor-last=Kaufman|title=The Portable Nietzsche|year=1987|pages=626–30}}</ref>

== See also ==
* {{annotated link|[[Gandhi]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Humility]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Jesus]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Modesty]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Passive resistance]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Patient Griselda]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Quakers]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Seven virtues]]}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|chapter=[[s:The Sermon on the Mount (Bossuet)/Day 3|Day 3: To Be Meek]]|title=The Sermon on the Mount|year=1900|publisher=Longmans, Green, and Co.|first=Jacques-Bénigne|last=Bossuet|author-link=Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Virtues}}

[[Category:Christian ethics]]
[[Category:Religious ethics]]
[[Category:Virtue]]