Seldom Deserves

A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.

Henry Ward Beecher

From the World History Encyclopedia is an article about the “Japanese Tea Ceremony ”, which “is a cultural tradition involving very particular places, procedures, and equipment for drinking green tea.” If you’re unfamiliar with the mechanics of it, here’s a YouTube clip from the cartoon Samurai Jack that nicely illustrates the humble pride one has when conducting the ceremony. I think it’s a cool display of the more positive aspects of pride – “A feeling or deep satisfaction from one’s own achievements” – compared to the more negative side of pride – “The quality of having an excessively high opinion of oneself or one’s importance”. Thanks, WordHippo !

About the author

Henry Ward Beecher : (June 24, 1813 – March 8, 1887) was an American Congregationalist clergyman, social reformer, and speaker, known for his support of the abolition of slavery, his emphasis on God’s love, and his 1875 adultery trial. His rhetorical focus on Christ’s love has influenced mainstream Christianity through the 21st century.