Belittle

"Time... spent by each party in belittling and reviling the candidates of its opponents."
Words & Uses by Grant White, 1870.

BELITTLE: to diminish, or make something appear to be small or less significant.

This word, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, originated in the USA, not England. It was first recorded being used in the late 1700's.

The quote above amuses me because, 140 years later, the political scene has not changed... it has always been handy to talk trash about one's opponent if it will garner more votes. Many Americans, I think, would disapprove of such critical stategies (i.e. what kind of ads they run).

Is that just the politicians' problem? Belittling others seems a flaw easy to detect in others. Yet when I consider what belittling really means--making others small in my eyes--then I wonder.

How often do I not notice my wife's needs, my children's needs, my friends' needs, because I desire comfort and meeting my own needs first? It seems that I am belittling people myself. No, not in a cruel, nasty way, of course; but in my indifference to these other persons who are made in God's image, who bear the weight of glory, who will live forever. Isn't it a shame that I often lapse into a self-satisfied, self-oriented perspective which makes others small in my eyes.

I want--I need--to see others more significant than before. Think about them. Not see them as interesting moons who orbit the planet of my life, or distractions who inconveniently demand my energy and time.

"In humility consider others better than yourselves," says the Bible (Philippians 2:3). Great wisdom. Does embracing humility mean we need to belittle ourselves instead of our neighbor?