Grimms' Fairy Tales Humility Quotes

Once upon a time there was a man who was about to go on a long journey, and right before his departure he asked his three daughters what he should bring back to them. The oldest wanted pearls, the second, diamonds, but the third said, "Dear Father, I'd like to have a singing, springing lark." (The Singing, Springing Lark.292)

When they entered the hall, her husband was standing there in his royal attire, but she did not recognize him until he took her into his arms, kissed her, and said, "I suffered a great deal for you, and it was only right that you should also suffer for me." (The Six Servants.439)

"For he who worships God in every way, who suffers, waits, is meek, and prays, who keeps his faith and conscience pure, God will keep him safe and sure." (The Sparrow and His Four Children.473)

"Flounder, flounder, in the sea, if you're a man, then speak to me. Though I do not care for my wife's request, I've come to ask it nonetheless." "Well, what does she want?" the flounder asked. "Oh," he said, "she wants to be like God." "Go back home. She's sitting in your hovel again." (The Fisherman and His Wife.72-73)

[The] Virgin Mary appeared before her and said, "If you'll tell me the truth and confess that you unlocked the forbidden door, I'll open your mouth and give you back the power of speech. If you persist in your sin and stubbornly deny it, I shall take your newborn baby away with me." (The Virgin Mary's Child.9)

"Can you tell me how to get to heaven?" "By poverty and humility," the old man answered. "Put on my tattered clothes, wander about the world for seven years, and learn all about its misery. Do not take any money, but when you're hungry, ask for a piece of bread from kindhearted people. This is how you'll find the way to heaven." (Poverty and Humility Lead to Heaven.588)

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)

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)

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)

The fox, consumed by his own arrogance, examined the cat from head to toe and pondered for some time whether he should deign to answer or not. (The Fox and the Cat.260)