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and emancipation the final object. By humility, a person learns the knowledge of scriptures quickly, gains eminence and finally get liberated."
Penitential retreat has been termed as prime mental purification penance in order of mental penances for purification of soul and humbleness is the next. Humility is an important virtue for conceit spoils the finest genius. To a person who is not humble righteousness and austerity are of no avail. Humility is the foundation of righteousness. Humility is itself austerity and being a mental austerity, it is great religion. Peace and humility are cousins. Peace prevails where there is humility. Forgiveness is the axiom of peace, but not as powerful as humility. The practice of self-restraint and austerity should make one humble and modest. Modesty opens us to other people's virtues and removes the false sense of pride.
Mahavira said, “He who is modest gains knowledge and he who is arrogant fails to gain it. Only he who knows these two axioms can be educated and enlightened. Therefore, one should not abandon humility at any cost."
Modesty and courtesy has been given immense importance in righteousness. A language free of modesty is against righteousness. Humility brings modesty and modesty is the key to all good and great achievements in life. Humility is the gateway to liberation; through humility one acquires self-restraint, penance and knowledge. One who is humble and modest is easily suitable for obtaining liberation. Learning tempered with humility is beneficial in this world and the next. Just as a plant cannot grow without water, learning will not be fruitful without humility.
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