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Scott Lax Blog

Greatness and Humility

The greatest writers in history were not arrogant, know-it-all ranters. They were often full of self-doubt. They were humble. They understood that the better they got, the farther they were from their potential. This paradox was part of their greatness. Humility gives an artist the need to probe his or her depths in the quest to be better.

This paradox reminds me of some self-help gurus: the motivational weight-loss speaker who's tubby; the financial wizard who makes her money by speeches about making money; the religious wing-nut who is filled with animosity toward the "other."

When a writer boasts, be it on a Web site or on a TV show, you might want to look elsewhere. You won't find beauty, or wisdom. You'll find empty conceit.  Read More