The Bonsai Tree: A Lesson in Humility 

How Humility Takes Shape 

In the Virtue Field Guide, each virtue has a section called “Just for fun,” which features various plants and animals that resemble or have characteristics of the virtue. The bonsai tree is shown for its virtue of humility, and it captures its essence. “Just about any tree species can be turned into a bonsai. With proper pruning, they grow to the size of their container.” In understanding humility, let us focus on two points: 1) “with proper pruning” and 2) “grow to the size of the container.”  

The Container of Grace 

The opposing vice to humility is pride, which is self-love, seeking attention and honor, and setting oneself in competition with God. It is manifested in many ways, and I will name a few–arrogance, boasting, haughtiness, vainglory, etc. Instead of turning our attention to someone else, let us examine our own prideful tendencies, as pride is the root of our sins. We all have moments of exaggerated self-love which we try to mask or deflect away from ourselves.

Pride’s Unruly Branches 

Returning to the bonsai tree, one can easily imagine what a “prideful” tree would look like. Since the size of the tree and its root system must be proportionate to the container, pride would look like an unpruned tree, a branch of ambition trying to extend and causing an imbalance. Or a haughty, arrogant branch that grows to be noticed. One can quickly recognize how pride has disrupted the potential of a bonsai tree. Often, what is most challenging is that pride causes blindness of mind, which causes one to lack self-knowledge or an awareness of how “ugly” or disproportionate one has become. Yet it is generally noticeable by everyone else.   

Humility’s Beauty 

Now, let us return to the beautiful and necessary virtue of humility. Humility enables one to fully flourish and become who one is created to be. The pruning of daily life and its struggles keeps one dependent upon God’s grace and love as He tends to our growth in virtue. The “container” where one resides is proportionate to one’s growth, and the root system keeps one grounded.  

A Unique Flourishing 

Just reflect upon the uniqueness and beauty of a bonsai tree. Each one is different and requires special treatment and nourishment. Humility is the virtue that allows us to be fully dependent upon God’s tending, grace, and love. We remain docile to the Holy Spirit and receptive to the blessings showered upon us each day. The toils and struggles of life are welcomed as pruning, as they shape who we are and who we can become.  

May this image help you recognize the beauty of humility and strive to remove the scales of blindness rooted in pride–that is, an ugly bonsai tree.