R. Nochum Ber once said that there are four levels of Jews 1) yes and yes 2) yes and no 3) no and no 4) no and yes.
1) Yes and yes is a person that has fine character traits, a “complete and perfected individual” [i.e. a well-rounded person who is great in many areas], but knows that he is a Jew who worked on perfecting his character traits and he lets the world know it.
2) Yes and no – a jew with the same fine character traits but who is humble and doesn’t think highly of himself.
3) No and no – a person who is an idler, a nothing, but at least knows that he is a nothing and does not put on any airs.
4) No and yes – a person who is a nothing and who nevertheless makes a big deal of himself.
He [R. Nochum Ber] asked Chasidim, what do you consider the worst character trait? They all answered unanimously someone who holds highly of himself but is a person of low stature [#4 above]. R. Nochum Ber responded to them: no, I don’t agree. In my opinion, the yes and yes [#1 above] is the worst. Someone with a fine character and a person of stature – is not allowed to be haughty. He needs to know that one is not allowed to hold himself in high regard.
I.F.
Dovid Fishman
