Note 1 at Mt 18:2: It is interesting that Jesus used a little child to illustrate humility. Although it is true that little children have a purity and humility that is many times missing in adults, they certainly are not selfless. Children come into the world totally self-centered, wanting what they want when they want it. Parents are to train children out of this self-centeredness.

The trait that Jesus was more likely referring to was a child's dependence on others. A child may be self-centered but is certainly not self-sufficient. One of humility's dominant characteristics is God-dependency and not self-sufficiency (see note 1 at Lu 9:46).