The other evening, one of my friends was offering me his unsolicited comments on Britain’s Got Talent. He was impressed by some of the contestants, but clearly was not a great fan of one of the judges. “He’s so up himself”, he said, “and there’s no self-deprecating humour to offset it.”
He added, without pausing for breath: “At least you’re willing to tell jokes against yourself.”
Clearly, my friends don’t understand me.
With friends like that… 😉
Croft: I know, but what can one do? The burdens one has to bear.
Dear Lord Norton,
A most amusing post not least because it illustrates the point your friend made!
I wonder if there are any other examples of self-deprecation you were able to share with us?!
Howridiculous.
Howridiculous: Indeed, I think my friends generally recognise my wonderful capacity for telling jokes at my own expense. As to examples, keep watching this space – and, of course, reading much earlier entries.
Lord Norton: A fool that self deprecates is still a fool whilst a feared panjandrum that does same demonstrates humility and leadership.
One such man was the Viking King Cnut. An astute individual surrounded by courtiers and sycophants. Such are the fleas of the rich and powerful.
From the link below:
Henry of Huntington, the 12th-century chronicler, tells how Cnut set his throne by the sea shore and commanded the tide to halt and not wet his feet and robes; but the tide failed to stop. According to Henry, Cnut leapt backwards and said “Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of kings, for there is none worthy of the name, but He whom heaven, earth, and sea obey by eternal laws.” He then hung his gold crown on a crucifix, and never wore it again.
Is not self-delusion the foundation of hubris?
Ref: Cnut the Great: Ruler of the waves
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cnut_the_Great
senex: “Is not self-delusion the foundation of hubris?” I wouldn’t know.