Grimms' Fairy Tales Humility Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Tale.Page)

Quote #7

He stopped his horse, looked through the window into the room that was brightened by the sunlight, and saw the maiden sitting at the spindle and spinning busily. She looked up, and when she noticed that the prince was peering inside, she blushed until her face became red, lowered her eyes, and continued spinning. (Spindle, Shuttle, and Needle.546)

In this case, modesty is always the appropriate reaction when some guy you don't know peeks in your window all creepy-like (it must've worked, since they ended up married). Yeah, we've come a long way from the wayback days.

Quote #8

After he rode on for a while, he came to a sea, where he discovered a fish lying on the shore and gasping for air. "Wait, my little fish," he said, "and I'll help you back into the water." (Faithful Ferdinand and Unfaithful Ferdinand.412)

What a thoughtful guy. He's not above helping a poor fish out. As with other downtrodden protagonists, this act of kindness comes back to aid him later.

Quote #9

At the old man's request she prepared some good soup, and when the bowl was on the table, she said, "I'm certainly not going to sit down and eat when these good animals have nothing. There's everything I need outside, and I'm going to take care of them first." (The House in the Forest.502)

This tale's all about teaching young ladies to be so humble, giving, and selfless that they always delay their own gratification.