Although considered one of the virtues, humility seems to be generally regarded as more pitiable than admirable. It is often confused with false modesty, a lack of self-respect, or the underestimation of one's accomplishments. In the first extended treatment of humility in modern times, Norvin Richards examines this puzzling virtue, redeems it from common misconceptions, and discusses the effect humility can have on one's life. The author argues that true humility consists in understanding yourself and what you have done too clearly to be inclined to exaggeration. To be humble means taking oneself no more seriously than one should and not having unreasonable beliefs about one's moral entitlements. It also means knowing what kind of treatment to give to and expect from others. This ability to maintain a proper perspective is clearly a desirable characteristic. With lively and familiar examples, Richards explores the ways humility can protect us from a variety of mistakes. He considers what humility has to do with forgiveness, paternalism, and envy and jealousy. He asks what it requires in terms of compassion, ambition, and the simplicity or opulence of life. One benefit of this virtue, observes Richards, is the understanding that we are not in nearly so many competitions as those prone to envy seem to think we are. For humility combines having a sense of one's own worth with the awareness that one is not uniquely worthy. The author relates the virtue of humility to our culture of arrogance, elitism, and blind ambition and concludes, \"Being humble is a good way for a person to be\".