Humility spins a critical global thread. The further it stretches, the greater the world’s possibilities.

Unfortunately, people must often wait for occasional moments – such as President George W. Bush’s admission that, after all, the United States needs more troops to handle its international challenges and obligations – to witness it. Bush once had promised to approach foreign affairs with a combination of strength and humility – in truth, an ideal pairing.

Sometimes, humility sprouts from within. Other times, as in the president’s case, it is thrust upon us. Either way, I welcome it.

A few weeks ago, I attended an eclectic gathering. It included Muslims (Sunni and Shia), Christians of all varieties, Jews, Buddhists and others. The cultures represented ranged from Arab to American to Caribbean to Chinese to Iranian. That the participants failed to agree on every issue was not surprising. That they were able to engage one another without fear, threats or violence was, I suppose, a bit of a miracle in these contentious times. Too many modern situations draw so strongly from intolerance that conversation ceases and conflict predominates. With a bit more humility, that could change.

I thought that I knew much about humility from my own religious upbringing, family life and world experiences. My late father, despite his many accomplishments, wore a humble man’s shoes, never feeling the need to hold himself above others. Similarly, my mother has always understood that one gains much from turning the other cheek, offering a sympathetic ear and displaying openness to compromise.

Yet I have learned even more about humility from my young daughter, who is impressed not one whit about my work. To her, it is far more important that we play a game of air hockey, search for a new treasure in a bookstore, bake her favorite cheese bread, or haggle for the best price in Turkish bazaars and other markets. Thus, I have played more air hockey than I ever imagined, discovered a multitude of new books, baked an unbelievable quantity of cheese bread, and bargained with my share of merchants in Istanbul and elsewhere.

In return, I understand better the simple but essential elements of life, as well as the need to set aside seemingly more important concerns, which usually can wait.

By advocating humility, I am not suggesting that one spurn responsibility or principle. Nor do I wish to imply any compromising of confidence or perseverance. Rather, as one proceeds – at all levels, from ordinary life to foreign affairs – it is essential to contemplate the impact of one’s decisions, consider others’ perceptions and make more than a passing effort to reach for middle ground.

I think about the values that I embrace and firmly believe that most people everywhere adhere to a similar set. I respect them, with or without a perfect overlap.

But to those men and women of violence who lack humility, shun respect, snap at the hand of moderation, view the mostly peaceful global order with contempt, sow seeds of dissension, revel in disagreeability and tear at society simply because of its vulnerabilities, I firmly say, “No.”

They and their ilk may persist for a decade or two. But evil, no matter how frightful, has inevitable limits. In contrast, to the extent that they maintain the proper balance of strength and humility, the legions of like-minded brethren who hold so much in common will endure.