“Humility is a strange thing. The moment you think you’ve got it, you’ve lost it.”
This powerful paradox captures a fundamental truth about the human condition. It speaks to a virtue that, by its very nature, cannot be consciously claimed. The moment you declare your own Humility (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy), you demonstrate a form of pride that instantly negates it. This clever observation has resonated for decades, appearing in books, sermons, and daily devotionals. However, the origin of this profound statement is as elusive as the quality it describes.
Many people attribute the quote to Sir Edward Hulse, a British physician. Yet, extensive investigation reveals no concrete evidence connecting him to the phrase. This popular attribution seems to be a case of historical confusion. The quote’s journey is far more complex and interesting, winding through anonymous publications and evolving over time. Source
The Proverb’s True Ancestor
The conceptual framework for the quote appeared decades earlier. Its earliest known form emerged in 1925, but it discussed a different virtue entirely. Columnist Viola Brothers Shore published a piece called “Saws for the Goose” in several newspapers. In it, she wrote, “Gentility is a fairy gift. The minute you think you’ve got it you ain’t got it.” This version clearly provided the template for the more famous saying about humility. Source. Quote Investigator – Humility Is a Strange Thing
This discovery shows how popular wisdom can evolve. An idea starts in one context and is later adapted to fit another, more powerful one. The core paradox remains the same, but its application shifts. The transition from the social grace of gentility to the spiritual virtue of humility marked a significant step in the saying’s life.
From Gentility to Humility
The phrase transformed into its most recognizable form by 1938. In that year, the “Master Book of Humorous Illustrations,” compiled by Leewin B. Williams, included the quote. Crucially, the book offered no attribution. It presented the wisdom as a piece of anonymous, common knowledge. This anonymity helped the quote spread organically through popular culture. It became a shared insight rather than the creation of a single author.
Soon after, the saying began appearing frequently in print. In January 1939, “The Pittsburgh Courier” featured it among a list of weekly spiritual thoughts. Just a few months later, in April 1939, the “Ventura County Star-Free Press” in California printed the exact same wording in its “Daily Devotionals” section. This rapid circulation across the country demonstrates the quote’s immediate and widespread appeal. It clearly struck a chord with a diverse audience. Master Book of Humorous Illustrations – HathiTrust Digital Library
Gaining Academic and Cultural Footing
The quote soon transcended casual newspaper columns and entered more scholarly works. In 1941, editors included the statement in “The Encyclopedia of Creative Thought.” This placement in the humility section lent it a new level of academic credibility. It was no longer just a witty observation; it was recognized wisdom worthy of serious compilation. Arthur Godfrey – Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History
As its popularity grew, variations and new attributions emerged. In November 1953, the entertainer Arthur Godfrey credited the sentiment to the famous columnist Walter Winchell. Godfrey’s profile by the Associated Press quoted him saying, “As Walter Winchell says, when you think you have it, you have lost it.” This highlights how people often attach anonymous wisdom to well-known figures, seeking to give it a credible source. Meanwhile, different versions appeared, sometimes substituting “minute” for “moment,” but the core message always remained intact.
The Mystery of E. D. Hulse
The source of the modern attribution error can be traced to a specific publication. In February 1967, a magazine called “Quote: The Weekly Digest” attributed the saying to “E. D. Hulse.” This was likely a reference to a contributor from the “Bashford Methodist Messenger.” This attribution gained significant momentum when it was repeated in major publications. For example, both “The Wall Street Journal” and “Reader’s Digest” cited E. D. Hulse in 1967.
This is where the confusion likely began. Over time, the relatively unknown E. D. Hulse seems to have been mistaken for the more prominent Sir Edward Hulse. The similarity in names, combined with our tendency to associate wisdom with notable figures, probably fueled this error. Consequently, a mistaken attribution became entrenched in popular culture, and it persists even in modern books and articles.
The Enduring Power of a Paradox
Ultimately, the question of authorship is secondary to the quote’s enduring power. Its appeal lies in the fundamental psychological truth it reveals. True humility is an un-self-conscious state. The act of recognizing and claiming it requires a level of self-focus that is inherently at odds with being humble. It is a classic Catch-22.
This paradox is universal. It transcends culture, religion, and time. It reminds us that some virtues are lived, not declared. The quote’s anonymous origins may be the most fitting tribute to its message. After all, claiming authorship of a famous quote about The Science of Humility would be the ultimate irony. Its mysterious history ensures that the wisdom itself remains the focus, a timeless reminder to check our own pride.