"Small Lies" and Humility

2 Nephi 2:27

"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man.  And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself."

Pride has many faces.  The one that has been on my mind as of late: "small lies" that make you feel better about yourself, when in reality it doesn't matter.  To explain, I'll give an example:

Person A: "Hey bud, did you know that Texas is the second largest state in the US?"

Person B: [Though he did not know that prior to person A asking that question replies:] "Sure did!"

I know that's a very simplistic example, but I'm sure you can see how conversations such as that could develop.  Questions in the work place, at school, between best friends, even between acquaintances.  People have the tendency to try to make themselves look better in others' eyes whether it really will do so or not.  Use my example for instance.  Person A really doesn't care if Person B knows the answer or not, he simply asked.  If Person B didn't know it, that doesn't mean that Person A thinks any less of him for it, it simply means he didn't know.

I know this all seems silly to whomever may read this, but I think it's a good example of how even the smallest measurements of pride really can eat at one's sould.  A person that can't feel comfortable admitting they don't know inconsequential matters develops two things by being unable to do so.

1: A measure of distrust by others.  If someone can't trust someone to answer petty questions with honesty, how can they expect them to answer more important matters?

2: A measure of distrust in the Lord.  The only reason one would be prideful about "being a know-it-all" if you will, is because they don't trust the Lord's admonition of humility.  Being humble is the complete opposite of acting like you know everything.  Being humble means understanding your faults, and working on turning those faults into strengths with the help of the Lord (prayer and scriptures).

It is widely known that the best way to lead people, is to serve them.  And what quality best exemplifies servitude?  Humility.  

Is it not interesting that the same quality is the answer to both questions: How do you combat pride? And how do you best lead people? is humility?

Humility lets others know that you don't know everything, but that you're willing to learn and grow.  Humility is not weakness, it's not uncertainty, it's not feebleness.  In fact it's quite the opposite.  It's hard to be humble as opposed to prideful, it's hard to be "ok" with not knowing as much as you'd like others to think you know, it shows a measure of respect towards others when they know that you know that you don't know everything.  That others know that you know that the teams works better as a team, as opposed to 1 person having others executing duties.  (But I digress.)

Humility is one of the most underrated qualities that one can aspire to.  (Isn't that funny.. A quality that is widely regarded as an opposite of aspiration, is something we should aspire to acquire?)