TERMS STARTING WITH
humility ::: n. --> The state or quality of being humble; freedom from pride and arrogance; lowliness of mind; a modest estimate of one&
humility ::: “Of course you can [do yoga without being great]. There is no need of being great. On the contrary humility is the first necessity, for one who has ego and pride cannot realise the Highest.” Letters on Yoga
humility
TERMS ANYWHERE
All can be done by the Divine — the heart and nature puri- fied, the inner consciousness awakened, the veils removed, — if one gives oneself to the Divine with trust and confidence and even xf one cannot do so fully at once, yet the more one does so, the more the inner help and guidance comes and the experi- ence of the Divine grows nithin. If the questioning mind becomes less active and humility and the will to surrender grow, this ought to be perfectly possible. No other strength and tapasya are then needed, but this alone.
Anavah (&
beggar ::: n. --> One who begs; one who asks or entreats earnestly, or with humility; a petitioner.
One who makes it his business to ask alms.
One who is dependent upon others for support; -- a contemptuous or sarcastic use.
One who assumes in argument what he does not prove. ::: v. t.
::: "Humility before the Divine is also a sine qua non of the spiritual life, and spiritual pride, arrogance, or vanity and self-assurance press always downward. But confidence in the Divine and a faith in one"s spiritual destiny (i.e. since my heart and soul seek for the Divine, I cannot fail one day to reach Him) are much needed in view of the difficulties of the Path.” Letters on Yoga
“Humility before the Divine is also a sine qua non of the spiritual life, and spiritual pride, arrogance, or vanity and self-assurance press always downward. But confidence in the Divine and a faith in one’s spiritual destiny (i.e. since my heart and soul seek for the Divine, I cannot fail one day to reach Him) are much needed in view of the difficulties of the Path.” Letters on Yoga
"Humility before the Divine is also a sine qua non of the spiritual life, and spiritual pride, arrogance, or vanity and self-assurance press always downward.” *Letters on Yoga
“Humility before the Divine is also a sine qua non of the spiritual life, and spiritual pride, arrogance, or vanity and self-assurance press always downward.” Letters on Yoga
bondage, servitude; service; devotion, adoration, worship, praise; compliment, salutation; humility, lowliness; or, as an intj. My service to you! good-bye! thank you!
broken, shattered, broken open; repentant. In esoteric terms: the breaking of the ego; humility, selflessness.
"By studying the principles of success and failure, preservation and destruction, calamity and prosperity from ancient to recent times, they learn how to hold what is essential and to grasp the fundamental. They guard themselves with purity and emptiness, in humility and weakness they maintain themselves . . . Afterwards those who act without restraint desired to reject learning and the rules of propriety, and at the same time, discard benevolence and righteousness. They said that the world could be governed simply by purity and emptiness."
crave ::: v. t. --> To ask with earnestness or importunity; to ask with submission or humility; to beg; to entreat; to beseech; to implore.
To call for, as a gratification; to long for; hence, to require or demand; as, the stomach craves food. ::: v. i. --> To desire strongly; to feel an insatiable longing; as, a
cringe ::: v. t. --> To draw one&
crouch ::: 1. To stoop, especially with the knees bent esp. in fear, humility or submission. 2. (of animals) to lie close to the ground, in fear, readiness for action etc. crouches, crouched, crouching.
crouch ::: v. i. --> To bend down; to stoop low; to lie close to the ground with the logs bent, as an animal when waiting for prey, or in fear.
To bend servilely; to stoop meanly; to fawn; to cringe. ::: v. t. --> To sign with the cross; to bless.
To bend, or cause to bend, as in humility or fear.
Dasa-bhumi: Sanskrit for ten stages. In Buddhist terminology, the ten stages of the spiritual development of a Bodhisattva (q.v.) toward Buddhahood. Each school of Buddhism has its own dasa-bhumi, but the most widely accepted set in Mahayana Buddhism is that set forth in the Dasa-bhumi Sastra, viz.: (1) The Stage of Joy, in which the Bodhisattva develops his holy nature and discards wrong views; (2) the Stage of Purity, in which he attains the Perfection of Morality; (3) the Stage of Illumination, in which he attains the Perfection of Patience or Humility, and also the deepest introspective insight; (4) the Stage of Flaming Wisdom, in which he achieves the Perfection of Meditation and realizes the harmony of the Worldly Truth and the Supreme Truth; (5) the Stage of Presence, in which he achieves the Perfection of Wisdom; (7) the Stage of Far-going, in which he attains the Perfection of Expediency by going afar and to save all beings; (8) the Stage of Immovability, in which he attains the Perfection of Vow and realizes the principle that all specific characters of elements (dharmas) are unreal; (9) the Stage of Good Wisdom, in which he achieves the Perfection of Effort, attains the Ten Holy Powers, and preaches both to the redeemable and the unredeemable; (10) the Stage of the Cloud of the Law, in which he attains mastery of Perfect Knowledge and preaches the Law to save all creatures, “like the cloud drops rain over all.”
downwards ::: adv. --> From a higher place to a lower; in a descending course; as, to tend, move, roll, look, or take root, downward or downwards.
From a higher to a lower condition; toward misery, humility, disgrace, or ruin.
From a remote time; from an ancestor or predecessor; from one to another in a descending line.
Dpal sprul Rin po che. (Patrul Rinpoche) (1808-1887). One of the most important teachers of the RNYING MA sect of Tibetan Buddhism during the nineteenth century, famous for his great humility and simple lifestyle. Recognized as an incarnate lama (SPRUL SKU) while a child, Dpal sprul Rin po che trained under the great ascetic 'Jigs med rgyal ba'i myu gu (Jigme Gyalwe Nyugu), himself a disciple of the renowned treasure revealer (GTER STON) 'JIGS MED GLING PA, from whom he received instructions on the KLONG CHEN SNYING THIG, "Heart Essence of the Great Expanse." He later studied with many other great masters, including MDO MKHYEN RTSE YE SHES RDO RJE, mind emanation (thugs sprul) of 'Jigs med gling pa. Although he established himself as one of the foremost scholars of his time, Dpal sprul Rin po che emulated the renunciate lifestyle of his masters, wandering from place to place with few possessions, often in the guise of an ordinary beggar. He was known for his exceptional kindness, treating both king and pauper with equal compassion. The author of numerous commentaries and treatises on Buddhist philosophy and doctrine, he is perhaps best known for his KUN BZANG BLA MA'I ZHAL LUNG ("Words of My Perfect Teacher"), an explanation of the preliminary practices of the klong chen snying thig. Together with other great lamas of eastern Tibet, Dpal sprul Rin po che was also an active participant in the so-called RIS MED (nonsectarian) movement, which sought to cut through the rampant sectarian controversies of the time. According to one account, when asked what religious affiliation he maintained, Dpal sprul Rinpoche famously remarked that he was only a follower of the Buddha. He is also known as Rdza Dpal sprul (Dza Patrul) and O rgyan 'jigs med chos kyi dbang po.
Every action of man is full of ego — the good ones as well as the bad, his humility as much as his pride, his virtues as much as his vices.
Feet ::: [Tehmi: “In India it is considered that the whole power of the being is focused in the feet. So the feet are touched not only in humility but because all the power of the divinity is concentrated there. When someone touches the feet with the right attitude and devotion a certain power is drawn by the one who touches. So it is a grace by the person who is touched to allow it. Only if one is rooted in the Divine he can allow his feet to be touched.”]
grovel ::: 1. To lie or creep or crawl in a prostrate position with the face down as in subservience, fear or humility. 2. To behave in a servile or demeaning manner; cringe. 3. To take pleasure in mean or base things. grovels, grovelling.
humblehead ::: n. --> Humble condition or estate; humility.
humbleness ::: n. --> The quality of being humble; humility; meekness.
humbly ::: adv. --> With humility; lowly.
humilities ::: pl. --> of Humility
" . . . humility is the first necessity, for one who has ego and pride cannot realise the Highest.” *Letters on Yoga
“ . . . humility is the first necessity, for one who has ego and pride cannot realise the Highest.” Letters on Yoga
humility ::: n. --> The state or quality of being humble; freedom from pride and arrogance; lowliness of mind; a modest estimate of one&
humility ::: “Of course you can [do yoga without being great]. There is no need of being great. On the contrary humility is the first necessity, for one who has ego and pride cannot realise the Highest.” Letters on Yoga
humility
inculcate ::: v. t. --> To teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions; to urge on the mind; as, Christ inculcates on his followers humility.
lowliness ::: n. --> The state or quality of being lowly; humility; humbleness of mind.
Low condition, especially as to manner of life.
māna. (T. nga rgyal; C. man; J. man; K. man 慢). In Sanskrit and Pāli, "pride," "conceit"; also known as asmimāna, the "'I am' conceit." The eighth of ten "fetters" (SAMYOJANA) that keep beings bound to the cycle of rebirth (SAMSĀRA), pride arises from comparing oneself to others and manifests itself in three ways: viz., as the feeling that one is equal to, inferior to, or superior to others. Pride is a deep-seated and habitual affective response to other persons and continues to exist in subtle form in the minds of stream-enterers (SROTAĀPANNA), once-returners (SAKṚDĀGĀMIN), and nonreturners (ANĀGĀMIN) even though they have eliminated the "cognitive" fetter of personality belief (SATKĀYADṚstI). Māna is permanently eliminated upon attaining the stage of worthiness (ARHAT), the fourth and highest degree of Buddhist sanctity (ĀRYAPUDGALA). According to the SARVĀSTIVĀDA ABHIDHARMA, there are seven kinds of conceit. The first kind is simply called "māna," which refers to a sense of superiority toward those who are inferior and a sense of pride in the idea of being equal to those who are equal. "Atimāna" is haughtiness, the insistence on one's superiority when in fact one is a mere equal to another person or the insistence on being equal to those who are in fact superior to oneself. "Mānātimāna" is "pride and conceit," the insistence on one's superiority when in fact the person to whom one is comparing oneself is superior. "Asmimāna" is the conceit "I am," the deriving of a sense of an enduring self from grasping onto external objects and the internal five aggregates (SKANDHA). "ADHIMĀNA" is the overestimation of or bragging about one's spiritual accomplishments. "ABHIMĀNA" has been variously interpreted as arrogance or "false humility," admitting of another's slight superiority when in fact he or she is vastly superior. "Mithyāmāna" is hypocrisy: posturing as a virtuous person when in fact one lacks virtue.
Mangalasutta. In Pāli, "Discourse on the Auspicious"; one of the best-loved and most frequently recited texts in the Southeast Asian Buddhist world. The Mangalasutta appears in an early scriptural anthology, the SUTTANIPĀTA; a later collection, the KHUDDAKAPĀtHA; and in a postcanonical anthology of "protection texts," the PARITTA. The text itself is a mere twelve verses in length and is accompanied by a brief preface inquiring about what is true auspiciousness. The Buddha's response provides a straightforward recital of auspicious things, beginning with various social virtues and ending with the achievement of nibbāna (S. NIRVĀnA). The Mangalasutta's great renown derives from its inclusion in the Paritta, a late anthology of texts that are chanted as part of the protective rituals performed by Buddhist monks to ward off misfortunes; indeed, it is this apotropaic quality of the scripture that accounts for its enduring popularity. Paritta suttas refer to specific discourses delivered by the Buddha that are believed to offer protection to those who either recite the sutta or listen to its recitation. Other such auspicious apotropaic suttas are the RATANASUTTA ("Discourse on the Precious") and the METTĀSUTTA ("Discourse on Loving-Kindness"). These paritta texts are commonly believed in Southeast Asia to bring happiness and good fortune when chanted by the SAMGHA. The Mangalasutta has been the subject of many Pāli commentaries, one of the largest of which, the Mangalatthadīpanī, composed in northern Thailand in the sixteenth century, is over five hundred pages in length and continues to serve as the core of the monastic curriculum in contemporary Thailand. The Mangalasutta's twelve verses are: "Many divinities and humans, desiring well-being, have thought about auspiciousness; tell us what is the highest auspiciousness./ Not to associate with fools, to associate with the wise, to worship those worthy of worship-that is the highest auspiciousness./ To live in a suitable place and to have done good deeds before, having a proper goal for oneself-that is the highest auspiciousness./ Learning, craftsmanship, and being well-trained in discipline, being well-spoken-that is the highest auspiciousness./ Care for mother and father, supporting wife and children, and types of work that bring no conflict-that is the highest auspiciousness./ Generosity, morality, helping relatives and performing actions that are blameless-that is the highest auspiciousness./ Ceasing and refraining from evil, abstaining from intoxicants, diligence in morality-that is the highest auspiciousness./ Respect, humility, contentment, gratitude, listening to the dhamma at the proper time-that is the highest auspiciousness./ Patience, obedience, seeing ascetics and timely discussions of the dhamma-that is the highest auspiciousness./ Ascetic practice, the religious life, seeing the four noble truths, and the realization of nibbāna-that is the highest auspiciousness./ If someone's mind is sorrowless, stainless, secure, and does not shake when touched by the things of the world-that is the highest auspiciousness./ Having acted in this wise, unconquered everywhere they go to well-being everywhere-for them, this is the highest auspiciousness."
mangala. (T. bkra shis; C. jixiang; J. kichijo; K. kilsang 吉祥). In Sanskrit and Pāli, "auspiciousness," but having a wide range of connotations, including luck, good fortune, happiness, prosperity, welfare, good omen, and blessing. The term is also used to describe any number of social virtues, considered auspicious because they produce benefits in both this and future lifetimes. According to the Pāli MAnGALASUTTA, for example, these virtues include not associating with fools, but associating instead with the wise; caring for parents, supporting wife and children, and following a salutary occupation; generosity, morality, helping relatives, and performing actions that are blameless; refraining from evil; abstaining from intoxicants; respect, humility, contentment, gratitude, learning the teachings (P. dhamma; S. DHARMA); obedience, ascetic practice, and so forth.
meeken ::: v. t. --> To make meek; to nurture in gentleness and humility.
modesty ::: n. --> The quality or state of being modest; that lowly temper which accompanies a moderate estimate of one&
Namrata: Humility.
::: "Perhaps one could say that it [spiritual humility] is to be aware of the relativity of what has been done compared with what is still to be done — and also to be conscious of one"s being nothing without the Divine Grace.” *Letters on Yoga
“Perhaps one could say that it [spiritual humility] is to be aware of the relativity of what has been done compared with what is still to be done—and also to be conscious of one’s being nothing without the Divine Grace.” Letters on Yoga
Phag mo gru pa Rdo rje rgyal po. (Pakmodrupa Dorje Gyalpo) (1110-1170). A Tibetan scholar and adept who is counted as one of the great disciples of the key BKA' BRGYUD founder SGAM PO PA BSOD NAMS RIN CHEN, and is venerated as the source for many subsequent Bka' brgyud lineages. Born in the 'Bri lung rme shod region of eastern Tibet, Phag mo gru pa's parents died while he was still young. Receiving ordination as a novice Buddhist monk at the age of eight, he studied under a variety of teachers during the early part of his life. At eighteen, he traveled to central Tibet, receiving full ordination at the age of twenty-five. There he trained under a number of BKA' GDAMS pa teachers, and later, under the great SA SKYA master SA CHEN KUN DGA SNYING PO, from whom he received extensive instruction in the tradition of the path and its result (LAM 'BRAS). At the age of forty, he traveled to DWAGS LHA SGAM PO in southern Tibet, where he met Sgam po pa, who became his principal guru. Sgam po pa famously held up a half-eaten ball of parched barley flour mixed with tea and said to Phag mo gru pa, "This is greater than the results of all your previous meditation." After he demonstrated his humility by carrying stones to build a STuPA, Sgam po pa gave Phag mo gru pa the transmission of instructions on MAHĀMUDRĀ meditation and, through their practice, is said to have attained great realization. In 1158, Phag mo gru pa established a simple meditation hut where he lived until his death in 1170; this location later served as the foundation for the influential monastery of GDAN SA MTHIL. Phag mo gru pa was renowned for his strict adherence to the VINAYA, even going on alms rounds, a rare practice in Tibet. Several individuals among his many followers established a number of important branch lineages, the so-called "eight minor Bka' brgyud subsects" (see BKA' BRGYUD CHE BZHI CHUNG BRGYAD) that collectively came to be known as the Phag gru Bka' brgyud.
pride ::: “Pride is only one form of ego—there are ten thousand others. Every action of man is full of ego—the good ones as well as the bad, his humility as much as his pride, his virtues as much as his vices.” Letters on Yoga
prostration ::: n. --> The act of prostrating, throwing down, or laying fiat; as, the prostration of the body.
The act of falling down, or of bowing in humility or adoration; primarily, the act of falling on the face, but usually applied to kneeling or bowing in reverence and worship.
The condition of being prostrate; great depression; lowness; dejection; as, a postration of spirits.
A latent, not an exhausted, state of the vital
samudācāra. (T. kun tu spyod pa; C. xianxing; J. gengyo; K. hyonhaeng 現行). In Sanskrit, the term has two important denotations: "proper conduct," or "intention, purpose, habitual idea"; and "manifest action." Samudācāra designates religious action that is undertaken for the sake of attaining liberation for oneself and either liberation or an improved state of rebirth for others. Thus, the term can refer to a buddha's unceasing effort and the influence he exerts to help beings attain liberation. In its description of the first BHuMI, the MAHĀVASTU lists eight types of samudācāra for a BODHISATTVA. These are generosity (tyāga), compassion (KARUnĀ), relentlessness (aparikheda), humility (amāna), study of all the treatises (sarvasāstrādhyāyitā), courage (vikrama), social skills (lokānujNā), and resolve (dhṛti). Deriving from its denotation of volitional impulse, samudācāra also comes to be used in the YOGĀCĀRA school to indicate the emergence of conditioned factors (saMskṛtadharma) from the ĀLAYAVIJNĀNA, since, once they have arisen and are no longer dormant, they influence conscious action. In the context of Yogācāra thought, then, samudācāra is often translated as "manifest action." The term is also used in the sense of the special qualities of the practice of bodhisattvas, who are habituated to the ultimate nature of things (TATHATĀ, literally, "suchness"). The dependent origination of an action and the ultimate way in which that action occurs are inseparable; hence samudācāra, and in particular actions prompted by the aspiration for enlightenment, are "manifest actions." In tantric literature, the term is used for the four types of activities, also known as the CATURKARMAN.
Sri Aurobindo: "Of course you can [do yoga without being great]. There is no need of being great. On the contrary humility is the first necessity, for one who has ego and pride cannot realise the Highest.” *Letters on Yoga
Sri Aurobindo: "Pride is only one form of ego — there are ten thousand others. Every action of man is full of ego — the good ones as well as the bad, his humility as much as his pride, his virtues as much as his vices.” *Letters on Yoga
tawādu', Farsi/Urdu tawāzu': humbleness, modesty, humility, civility, courtesy, attention, kind reception.
The direct opening of the psychic centre is easy only when the ego-centricity is greatly diminished and also if there is a strong bhakti for the Mother. A spiritual humility and a sense of submission and dependence is necessary.
The Mother: "True humility consists in knowing that the Supreme Consciousness, the Supreme Will alone exists and that the I is not.” Words of the Mother, MCW Vol. 14.
The Mother: “True humility consists in knowing that the Supreme Consciousness, the Supreme Will alone exists and that the I is not.” Words of the Mother, MCW Vol. 14.
"To regard the fundamental as the refined essence and to regard things as its coarse embodiment; to regard accumulation as deficiency; to dwell quietly and alone with the spiritual and the intelligent; these were some aspects of the system of Tao of the ancients . . . They built their system upon the principle the eternal Non-Being and centered it upon the idea of Ultimate Unity. Their outward expression was weakness and humility. Pure emptiness without injury to objective things was for them true substance. Kuan Yin said, "Establish nothing in regard to oneself. Let things be what they are; move like water; be tranquil like a mirror; respond like an echo. Pass quickly like the non-existent; be quiet like purity . . .' Lao Tan (Lao Tzu) said, 'Know manhood (active force), and preserve womanhood (passive force); become the ravine of the world. Know whiteness (glory); endure blackness (disgrace); become a model of the world.' Men all seek the first; he alone took the last . . . Men all seek for happiness; he alone sought contentment in adaptation . . . He regarded the deep as the fundamental, moderation as the rule . . .
Vinaya: Humility or sense of propriety; manners; education; mental culture and refinement.
vinaya. ::: humility; sense of propriety; manners; rule of conduct; education; mental culture and refinement; discipline
KEYS (10k)
6 The Mother
5 Saint Thomas Aquinas
5 Saint Augustine of Hippo
3 Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina
3 ?
2 Saint Vincent de Paul
2 Saint John Chrysostom
2 Hazrat Inayat Khan
2 Sri Ramana Maharshi
2 Sri Ramakrishna
2 Sri Aurobindo
1 Wei Wu Wei
1 Thomas Keating
1 Theophan the Recluse
1 The Mother?
1 Simone Weil
1 Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
1 Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne
1 Saint John of the Cross
1 Saint John Climacus
1 Saint Columba
1 Saint Bridget of Sweden
1 Saint Bonaventure
1 Saint Benedict of Nursia
1 Robert Adams
1 Ramakrishna
1 Quetzalcoatl
1 Proverbs XVI. 18: XVII. 12
1 Murali Sivaramakrishnan
1 Meng-tse
1 MATA AMRITANANDAMAYI
1 Leo the Great
1 Leander of Seville
1 John Steinbeck
1 Idries Shah
1 G K Chesterton
1 Eriugena
1 Carl Sagan
1 Anthony the Great
1 Saint Teresa of Avila
1 Aleister Crowley
1 Abu Ammaar Yasir Qadhi
NEW FULL DB (2.4M)
54 Frederick Lenz
36 Andrew Murray
32 Anonymous
19 C S Lewis
15 Thomas Merton
14 Saint Augustine
14 Bryant McGill
13 Mahatma Gandhi
12 Ryan Holiday
11 Pope Francis
10 Tariq Ramadan
10 Saint Augustine of Hippo
10 John C Maxwell
10 John Climacus
10 Israelmore Ayivor
10 David Brooks
9 Laozi
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9 Ernest Agyemang Yeboah
8 Rick Warren
1:Proceed with humility and sacrifice. ~ Quetzalcoatl, #KEYS
2:Humility is the forgetfulness of self. ~ Thomas Keating, #KEYS
3:The invincible weapon against all our enemies is humility. ~ Theophan the Recluse, #KEYS
4:Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but lying. ~ Saint Vincent de Paul, #KEYS
5:Pride alienates man from heaven, humility unites us to heaven. ~ Saint Bridget of Sweden, #KEYS
6:Superficial knowledge breeds arrogance; true knowledge induces humility. ~ Abu Ammaar Yasir Qadhi, #KEYS
7:Humility is the mark of a genuine disciple. ~ Saint Thomas Aquinas, #KEYS
8:Accepting things as they are is true humility. ~ Sri Ramana Maharshi, #KEYS
9:The first degree of humility is prompt obedience. ~ Saint Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, #KEYS
10:Humility is the virtue that requires the greatest amount of effort. ~ Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, (1769-1852), #KEYS
11:It is only with total humility, and in absolute stillness of mind that we can know what indeed we are." ~ Wei Wu Wei, #KEYS
12:charity and humility will be laughed to scorn, and the common people will believe in false ideas." ~ Saint Columba, (521-597 AD), #KEYS
13:Humility is the mother of giants. One sees great things from the valley; only small things from the peak. ~ G K Chesterton, [T5], #KEYS
14:To be taken with love for a soul, God does not look on its greatness, but the greatness of its humility. ~ Saint John of the Cross, #KEYS
15:Pride changes angels into devils, humility makes man into angels. ~ Saint Augustine of Hippo, #KEYS
16:We can rise only through humility. Obedience to the Guru elevates the disciple to a more expansive, higher plane. ~ MATA AMRITANANDAMAYI, #KEYS
17:The deeper the humility with which we conduct ourselves, the better it is for us. ~ Sri Ramana Maharshi, #KEYS
18:Humility is a teacher of itself. It is learnt by means of its practise. ~ Idries Shah, @Sufi_Path #KEYS
19:Pride goeth before destruction, but before honour is humility. ~ Proverbs XVI. 18: XVII. 12, the Eternal Wisdom #KEYS
20:Humility is necessary for the person praying, because he recognizes his neediness ~ Saint Thomas Aquinas, (ST 2-2.83.15)., #KEYS
21:Humility and charity are the master strings . All other virtues depend on them. One is the lowest; the other is the highest. ~ Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, #KEYS
22:All the doors to God are crowded except for one: the door of humility and humbleness. ~ Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani], @Sufi_Path #KEYS
23:The Lord communicates with us as we break free of our attachment to the senses, sacrifice our own will and build our lives in humility." ~ Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, #KEYS
24:The aim of the Mystic is to stretch his range of Consciousness as widely as possible, so that he may touch the highest pride and the deepest humility.
~ Hazrat Inayat Khan,#KEYS
25:Many with a show of humility say, "I am like a low worm grovelling in the dust." Thus in time, they become weak in spirit like worms. ~ Sri Ramakrishna, #KEYS
26:The most powerful weapon to conquer the devil is humility. For, as he does not know at all how to employ it, neither does he know how to defend himself from it. ~ Saint Vincent de Paul, #KEYS
27:I have seen all the snares of the enemy spread out over the world, and I said with a groan, "Who can get through such snares?" Then I heard a voice say to me, "Humility." ~ Anthony the Great, #KEYS
28:Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. ~ Saint Augustine of Hippo, #KEYS
29:Should you ask me what is the first thing in religion, I should reply that the first, second, and third thing therein is humility. ~ Saint Augustine of Hippo, #KEYS
30:Our warfare does not make the living dead, but rather makes the dead to live, because it is conducted in the spirit of meekness and humility. I persecute by word, not by acts. ~ Saint John Chrysostom, #KEYS
31:The last degree of humility is "fear of God": to this is opposed "the habit of sinning," which implies contempt of God ~ Saint Thomas Aquinas, (ST 2-2.162.4ad4). /12, #KEYS
32:The Twelve Powers of the Mother manifested for Her Work: Sincerity, Peace, Equality, Generosity, Goodness, Courage, Progress, Receptivity, Aspiration, Perserverance, Gratitude, Humility
~ The Mother?,#KEYS
33:God, before He comes to the heart, sends servants to make it ready for His coming. And who are those servants? Purity, chastity, humility, loving-kindness. ~ Sri Ramakrishna, #KEYS
34:If you give to a man all riches and all might and he looks upon himself with the same humility as before, then that man far surpasses other human beings. ~ Meng-tse, the Eternal Wisdom #KEYS
35:Let your old age be childlike, and your childhood like old age; that is, so that neither may your wisdom be with pride, nor your humility without wisdom. ~ Saint Augustine of Hippo, #KEYS
36:So we find the humility of the God-man praiseworthy in the extreme when He bore those abject things which He was called on to suffer for the salvation of men ~ Saint Thomas Aquinas, (ScG 4.55)., #KEYS
37:Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance. ~ Saint Augustine of Hippo, #KEYS
38:Our warfare does not make the living dead, but rather makes the dead to live, because it is conducted in the spirit of meekness and humility. I persecute by word, not by acts. I persecute heresy, not heretics. ~ Saint John Chrysostom, #KEYS
39:If you love your Bridegroom, you must observe His death, must picture in your mind His humility, and must press solidly to your intellect as on a coin the virtues which He bore in the flesh after the manner of man. ~ Leander of Seville, #KEYS
40:Do not think yourself big or small, very important or very unimportant; for we are nothing in ourselves. We must only live to become what the Divine wills of us.
~ The Mother, Words Of The Mother II, Humility and Modesty,#KEYS
41:This earth that is promised to the meek, that is to be given to the gentle to possess, is the body of the saints, whose humility will raise them up and clothe them in the glory of immortality, united at last with the Spirit of unity. ~ Leo the Great, #KEYS
42:All the virtues have a copy of themselves in the morality of the great beast [that is, the crowd], except humility. This is the key to the supernatural. Thus it is mysterious, transcendent, indefinable, and unrepresentable. ~ Simone Weil, 'God in Plato', #KEYS
43:Philosophy, the study of wisdom, is not one thing & religion another... What is the exercise of philosophy but the exposition of the rules of true religion by which the supreme & principal cause of all things, God, is worshipped with humility & rationally searched for? ~ Eriugena, #KEYS
44:Sadhana never enlightens you. It makes you one-pointed in your quest for realization. It makes you compassionate. It develops humility, power. It transcends all fear. And when you get to that point, the inner guru grabs a hold of your mind & yanks it into the heart. ~ Robert Adams, #KEYS
45:The heart of our Divine Master has no more amiable law than that of sweetness, humility, charity. Often place your confidence in Divine Providence and be assured that sooner heaven and earth shall pass away than that the Lord neglect to protect you. ~ Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, #KEYS
46:Sincerity, Aspiration, Faith, Devotion and Self-Giving, Surrender to the Divine Will, Love, Openness and Receptivity, Purity and Humility, Gratitude and Faithfulness, Will and Perseverance, Enthusiasm, Hope and Straightforwardness, Happiness and Joy, Heroism and Bravery, Prudence and Balance, Truth and Speech ~ ?, toc, #KEYS
47:The disciples were amazed at the extraordinary gentleness and humility of Christ: for the Lord of the world stooped to speak with a poor woman, and for a long time, giving us an example of humility: 'Be friendly to the poor' ~ Saint Thomas Aquinas, (Sir 4:7)(Commentary on Jn. 4 lect. 3)., #KEYS
48:God:::
Thou who pervadest all the worlds below,
Yet sitst above,
Master of all who work and rule and know,
Servant of Love!
Thou who disdainest not the worm to be
Nor even the clod,
Therefore we know by that humility
That thou art God. ~ Sri Aurobindo, Collected Poems,#KEYS
49:To be humble means for the mind, the vital and the body never to forget that without the Divine they know nothing, are nothing and can do nothing; without the Divine they are nothing but ignorance, chaos and impotence. The Divine alone is Truth, Life, Power, Love, Felicity.
~ The Mother, Words Of The Mother II, Purity and Humility, 152,#KEYS
50:Let us not believe that it is enough to read without unction, to speculate without devotion, to investigate without wonder, to observe without joy, to act without godly zeal, to know without love, to understand without humility, to strive without divine grace, or to reflect as a mirror without divinely inspired wisdom. ~ Saint Bonaventure, The Journey of the Mind into God / Feast Day July 15th, #KEYS
51:Many say with an appearance of humility, "I am even as an earthworm crawling in the dust..."; so always believing themselves to be earthworms, they become in time feeble as the worm. Let not discouragement enter into thy heart; despair is for all the great enemy of our progress. What a man thinks himself to be, that he in fact becomes. ~ Ramakrishna, the Eternal Wisdom #KEYS
52:Some dislike prayer; if they entered deep into their heart, they would find it was pride — worse than that, vanity. And then there are those who have no aspiration, they try and they cannot aspire; it is because they do not have the flame of the will, it is because they do not have the flame of humility. Both are needed. There must be a very great humility and a very great will to change one's Karma. ~ The Mother, #KEYS
53:All was abolished save her naked self
And the prostrate yearning of her surrendered heart:
There was no strength in her, no pride of force;
The lofty burning of desire had sunk
Ashamed, a vanity of separate self,
The hope of spiritual greatness fled,
Salvation she asked not nor a heavenly crown:
Humility seemed now too proud a state. ~ Sri Aurobindo, Savitri, The Finding of the Soul,#KEYS
54:True humility is humility before the Divine, that is, a precise, exact, living sense that one is nothing, one can do nothing, understand nothing without the Divine, that even if one is exceptionally intelligent and capable, this is nothing in comparison with the divine Consciousness, and this sense one must always keep, because then one always has the true attitude of receptivity - a humble receptivity that does not put personal pretensions in opposition to the Divine. ~ The Mother, Questions And Answers 1953, #KEYS
55:To read Savitri is to witness a tremendous adventure in the interior realms; to witness and participate in a multidimensional quest. Because Savitri is cast in the mould of epic poetry or mahakavya, the requisite state of mind is one of openness and humility, similar to that of prayer. Each word and each phrase should ring in a 'solitude and an immensity', be heard in the 'listening spaces of the soul' and the 'inner acoustic space', and be seized by the deeper self when the mantric evocations come into effect. ~ Murali Sivaramakrishnan, #KEYS
56:The centre of the Mother's symbol represent the Divine Consciousness, the Supreme Mother, the Mahashakti.
The four petals of the Mother's symbol represent the four Aspects or Personalities of the Mother; Maheshwari (Wisdom), Mahalakshmi(Harmony), Mahakali(Strength) and Mahasaraswati (Perfection).
The twelve petals of the Mother's symbol represent; Sincerity, Humility, Gratitude, Perseverance, Aspiration, Receptivity, Progress, Courage, Goodness, Generosity, Equality, Peace.
~ ?, https://www.auroville.com/silver-ring-mother-s-symbol.html, [T5],#KEYS
57:Now as always-humility and terror. Fear that the working of my pen cannot capture the grinding of my brain. It is so easy to understand why the ancients prayed for the help of a Muse. And the Muse came and stood beside them, and we, heaven help us, do not believe in Muses. We have nothing to fall back on but our craftsmanship and it, as modern literature attests, is inadequate. May I be honest; may I be decent; may I be unaffected by the technique of hucksters. If invocation is required, let this be my invocation-may I be strong and yet gentle, tender and yet wise, wise and yet tolerant. May I for a little while, only for a little while, see with the inflamed eyes of a God. ~ John Steinbeck, #KEYS
58:10.: I do not know whether I have put this clearly; self-knowledge is of such consequence that I would not have you careless of it, though you may be lifted to heaven in prayer, because while on earth nothing is more needful than humility. Therefore, I repeat, not only a good way, but the best of all ways, is to endeavour to enter first by the room where humility is practised, which is far better than at once rushing on to the others. This is the right road;-if we know how easy and safe it is to walk by it, why ask for wings with which to fly? Let us rather try to learn how to advance quickly. I believe we shall never learn to know ourselves except by endeavouring to know God, for, beholding His greatness we are struck by our own baseness, His purity shows our foulness, and by meditating on His humility we find how very far we are from being humble. ~ Saint Teresa of Avila, The Interior Castle, 1.02, #KEYS
59:Spirit comes from the Latin word to breathe. What we breathe is air, which is certainly matter, however thin. Despite usage to the contrary, there is no necessary implication in the word spiritual that we are talking of anything other than matter (including the matter of which the brain is made), or anything outside the realm of science. On occasion, I will feel free to use the word. Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality. When we recognize our place in an immensity of light years and in the passage of ages, when we grasp the intricacy, beauty and subtlety of life, then that soaring feeling, that sense of elation and humility combined, is surely spiritual. So are our emotions in the presence of great art or music or literature, or of acts of exemplary selfless courage such as those of Mohandas Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr. The notion that science and spirituality are somehow mutually exclusive does a disservice to both. ~ Carl Sagan, #KEYS
60:Do not be over-eager for experience, - for experiences you can always get, having once broken the barrier between the physical mind and the subtle planes. What you have to aspire for most is the improved quality of the recipient consciousness in you - discrimination in the mind, the unattached impersonal Witness look on all that goes on in you and around you, purity in the vital, calm equanimity, enduring patience, absence of pride and the sense of greatness - and more especially, the development of the psychic being in you - surrender, self-giving, psychic humility, devotion. It is a consciousness made up of these things, cast in this mould that can bear without breaking, stumbling or deviation into error the rush of lights, powers and experiences from the supraphysical planes. An entire perfection in these respects is hardly possible until the whole nature from the highest mind to the subconscient physical is made one in the light that is greater than Mind; but a sufficient foundation and a consciousness always self-observant, vigilant and growing in these things is indispensable
- for perfect purification is the basis of the perfect siddhi. ~ ?,#KEYS
61:The lessening of evil breeds abstinence from evil; and
abstinence from evil is the beginning of repentance; and
the beginning of repentance is the beginning of salvation; and
the beginning of salvation is a good resolve; and
a good resolve is the mother of labors. And
the beginning of labors is the virtues; and
the beginning of the virtues is a flowering, and
the flowering of virtue is the beginning of activity. And
the offspring of virtue is perseverance; and
the fruit and offspring of persevering practice is habit, and
the child of habit is character. And
good character is the mother of fear; and
fear gives birth to the keeping of commandments in which I include both Heavenly and earthly. And
the keeping of the commandments is a sign of love; and
the beginning of love is an abundance of humility; and
an abundance of humility is the daughter of dispassion; and
the acquisition of the latter is the fullness of love, that is to say, the perfect indwelling of God in those who through dispassion are pure in heart, for they shall see God.
And to Him the glory for all eternity. Amen" ~ Saint John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent,#KEYS
62:I have loved in life and I have been loved.
I have drunk the bowl of poison from the hands of love as nectar,
and have been raised above life's joy and sorrow.
My heart, aflame in love, set afire every heart that came in touch with it.
My heart has been rent and joined again;
My heart has been broken and again made whole;
My heart has been wounded and healed again;
A thousand deaths my heart has died, and thanks be to love, it lives yet.
I went through hell and saw there love's raging fire,
and I entered heaven illumined with the light of love.
I wept in love and made all weep with me;
I mourned in love and pierced the hearts of men;
And when my fiery glance fell on the rocks, the rocks burst forth as volcanoes.
The whole world sank in the flood caused by my one tear;
With my deep sigh the earth trembled, and when I cried aloud the name of my beloved,
I shook the throne of God in heaven.
I bowed my head low in humility, and on my knees I begged of love,
"Disclose to me, I pray thee, O love, thy secret."
She took me gently by my arms and lifted me above the earth, and spoke softly in my ear,
"My dear one, thou thyself art love, art lover,
and thyself art the beloved whom thou hast adored. ~ Hazrat Inayat Khan,#KEYS
63:The third operation in any magical ceremony is the oath or proclamation. The Magician, armed and ready, stands in the centre of the Circle, and strikes once upon the bell as if to call the attention of the Universe. He then declares who he is, reciting his magical history by the proclamation of the grades which he has attained, giving the signs and words of those grades. He then states the purpose of the ceremony, and proves that it is necessary to perform it and to succeed in its performance. He then takes an oath before the Lord of the Universe (not before the particular Lord whom he is invoking) as if to call Him to witness the act. He swears solemnly that he will perform it-that nothing shall prevent him from performing it-that he will not leave the operation until it is successfully performed-and once again he strikes upon the bell. Yet, having demonstrated himself in that position at once infinitely lofty and infinitely unimportant, the instrument of destiny, he balances this by the Confession, in which there is again an infinite exaltation harmonised with an infinite humility. He admits himself to be a weak human being humbly aspiring to something higher; a creature of circumstance utterly dependent-even for the breath of life-upon a series of fortunate accidents.
~ Aleister Crowley, Liber ABA,#KEYS
64:The Examiners
The integral yoga consists of an uninterrupted series of examinations that one has to undergo without any previous warning, thus obliging you to be constantly on the alert and attentive.
Three groups of examiners set us these tests. They appear to have nothing to do with one another, and their methods are so different, sometimes even so apparently contradictory, that it seems as if they could not possibly be leading towards the same goal. Nevertheless, they complement one another, work towards the same end, and are all indispensable to the completeness of the result.
The three types of examination are: those set by the forces of Nature, those set by spiritual and divine forces, and those set by hostile forces. These last are the most deceptive in their appearance and to avoid being caught unawares and unprepared requires a state of constant watchfulness, sincerity and humility.
The most commonplace circumstances, the events of everyday life, the most apparently insignificant people and things all belong to one or other of these three kinds of examiners. In this vast and complex organisation of tests, those events that are generally considered the most important in life are the easiest examinations to undergo, because they find you ready and on your guard. It is easier to stumble over the little stones in your path, because they attract no attention.
Endurance and plasticity, cheerfulness and fearlessness are the qualities specially needed for the examinations of physical nature.
Aspiration, trust, idealism, enthusiasm and generous self-giving, for spiritual examinations.
Vigilance, sincerity and humility for the examinations from hostile forces.
And do not imagine that there are on the one hand people who undergo the examinations and on the other people who set them. Depending on the circumstances and the moment we are all both examiners and examinees, and it may even happen that one is at the same time both examiner and examinee. And the benefit one derives from this depends, both in quality and in quantity, on the intensity of one's aspiration and the awakening of one's consciousness.
To conclude, a final piece of advice: never set yourself up as an examiner. For while it is good to remember constantly that one may be undergoing a very important examination, it is extremely dangerous to imagine that one is responsible for setting examinations for others. That is the open door to the most ridiculous and harmful kinds of vanity. It is the Supreme Wisdom which decides these things, and not the ignorant human will. ~ The Mother, Words Of The Mother II,#KEYS
65:It does not matter if you do not understand it - Savitri, read it always. You will see that every time you read it, something new will be revealed to you. Each time you will get a new glimpse, each time a new experience; things which were not there, things you did not understand arise and suddenly become clear. Always an unexpected vision comes up through the words and lines. Every time you try to read and understand, you will see that something is added, something which was hidden behind is revealed clearly and vividly. I tell you the very verses you have read once before, will appear to you in a different light each time you re-read them. This is what happens invariably. Always your experience is enriched, it is a revelation at each step.
But you must not read it as you read other books or newspapers. You must read with an empty head, a blank and vacant mind, without there being any other thought; you must concentrate much, remain empty, calm and open; then the words, rhythms, vibrations will penetrate directly to this white page, will put their stamp upon the brain, will explain themselves without your making any effort.
Savitri alone is sufficient to make you climb to the highest peaks. If truly one knows how to meditate on Savitri, one will receive all the help one needs. For him who wishes to follow this path, it is a concrete help as though the Lord himself were taking you by the hand and leading you to the destined goal. And then, every question, however personal it may be, has its answer here, every difficulty finds its solution herein; indeed there is everything that is necessary for doing the Yoga.
*He has crammed the whole universe in a single book.* It is a marvellous work, magnificent and of an incomparable perfection.
You know, before writing Savitri Sri Aurobindo said to me, *I am impelled to launch on a new adventure; I was hesitant in the beginning, but now I am decided. Still, I do not know how far I shall succeed. I pray for help.* And you know what it was? It was - before beginning, I warn you in advance - it was His way of speaking, so full of divine humility and modesty. He never... *asserted Himself*. And the day He actually began it, He told me: *I have launched myself in a rudderless boat upon the vastness of the Infinite.* And once having started, He wrote page after page without intermission, as though it were a thing already complete up there and He had only to transcribe it in ink down here on these pages.
In truth, the entire form of Savitri has descended "en masse" from the highest region and Sri Aurobindo with His genius only arranged the lines - in a superb and magnificent style. Sometimes entire lines were revealed and He has left them intact; He worked hard, untiringly, so that the inspiration could come from the highest possible summit. And what a work He has created! Yes, it is a true creation in itself. It is an unequalled work. Everything is there, and it is put in such a simple, such a clear form; verses perfectly harmonious, limpid and eternally true. My child, I have read so many things, but I have never come across anything which could be compared with Savitri. I have studied the best works in Greek, Latin, English and of course French literature, also in German and all the great creations of the West and the East, including the great epics; but I repeat it, I have not found anywhere anything comparable with Savitri. All these literary works seems to me empty, flat, hollow, without any deep reality - apart from a few rare exceptions, and these too represent only a small fraction of what Savitri is. What grandeur, what amplitude, what reality: it is something immortal and eternal He has created. I tell you once again there is nothing like in it the whole world. Even if one puts aside the vision of the reality, that is, the essential substance which is the heart of the inspiration, and considers only the lines in themselves, one will find them unique, of the highest classical kind. What He has created is something man cannot imagine. For, everything is there, everything.
It may then be said that Savitri is a revelation, it is a meditation, it is a quest of the Infinite, the Eternal. If it is read with this aspiration for Immortality, the reading itself will serve as a guide to Immortality. To read Savitri is indeed to practice Yoga, spiritual concentration; one can find there all that is needed to realise the Divine. Each step of Yoga is noted here, including the secret of all other Yogas. Surely, if one sincerely follows what is revealed here in each line one will reach finally the transformation of the Supramental Yoga. It is truly the infallible guide who never abandons you; its support is always there for him who wants to follow the path. Each verse of Savitri is like a revealed Mantra which surpasses all that man possessed by way of knowledge, and I repeat this, the words are expressed and arranged in such a way that the sonority of the rhythm leads you to the origin of sound, which is OM.
My child, yes, everything is there: mysticism, occultism, philosophy, the history of evolution, the history of man, of the gods, of creation, of Nature. How the universe was created, why, for what purpose, what destiny - all is there. You can find all the answers to all your questions there. Everything is explained, even the future of man and of the evolution, all that nobody yet knows. He has described it all in beautiful and clear words so that spiritual adventurers who wish to solve the mysteries of the world may understand it more easily. But this mystery is well hidden behind the words and lines and one must rise to the required level of true consciousness to discover it. All prophesies, all that is going to come is presented with the precise and wonderful clarity. Sri Aurobindo gives you here the key to find the Truth, to discover the Consciousness, to solve the problem of what the universe is. He has also indicated how to open the door of the Inconscience so that the light may penetrate there and transform it. He has shown the path, the way to liberate oneself from the ignorance and climb up to the superconscience; each stage, each plane of consciousness, how they can be scaled, how one can cross even the barrier of death and attain immortality. You will find the whole journey in detail, and as you go forward you can discover things altogether unknown to man. That is Savitri and much more yet. It is a real experience - reading Savitri. All the secrets that man possessed, He has revealed, - as well as all that awaits him in the future; all this is found in the depth of Savitri. But one must have the knowledge to discover it all, the experience of the planes of consciousness, the experience of the Supermind, even the experience of the conquest of Death. He has noted all the stages, marked each step in order to advance integrally in the integral Yoga.
All this is His own experience, and what is most surprising is that it is my own experience also. It is my sadhana which He has worked out. Each object, each event, each realisation, all the descriptions, even the colours are exactly what I saw and the words, phrases are also exactly what I heard. And all this before having read the book. I read Savitri many times afterwards, but earlier, when He was writing He used to read it to me. Every morning I used to hear Him read Savitri. During the night He would write and in the morning read it to me. And I observed something curious, that day after day the experiences He read out to me in the morning were those I had had the previous night, word by word. Yes, all the descriptions, the colours, the pictures I had seen, the words I had heard, all, all, I heard it all, put by Him into poetry, into miraculous poetry. Yes, they were exactly my experiences of the previous night which He read out to me the following morning. And it was not just one day by chance, but for days and days together. And every time I used to compare what He said with my previous experiences and they were always the same. I repeat, it was not that I had told Him my experiences and that He had noted them down afterwards, no, He knew already what I had seen. It is my experiences He has presented at length and they were His experiences also. It is, moreover, the picture of Our joint adventure into the unknown or rather into the Supermind.
These are experiences lived by Him, realities, supracosmic truths. He experienced all these as one experiences joy or sorrow, physically. He walked in the darkness of inconscience, even in the neighborhood of death, endured the sufferings of perdition, and emerged from the mud, the world-misery to breathe the sovereign plenitude and enter the supreme Ananda. He crossed all these realms, went through the consequences, suffered and endured physically what one cannot imagine. Nobody till today has suffered like Him. He accepted suffering to transform suffering into the joy of union with the Supreme. It is something unique and incomparable in the history of the world. It is something that has never happened before, He is the first to have traced the path in the Unknown, so that we may be able to walk with certitude towards the Supermind. He has made the work easy for us. Savitri is His whole Yoga of transformation, and this Yoga appears now for the first time in the earth-consciousness.
And I think that man is not yet ready to receive it. It is too high and too vast for him. He cannot understand it, grasp it, for it is not by the mind that one can understand Savitri. One needs spiritual experiences in order to understand and assimilate it. The farther one advances on the path of Yoga, the more does one assimilate and the better. No, it is something which will be appreciated only in the future, it is the poetry of tomorrow of which He has spoken in The Future Poetry. It is too subtle, too refined, - it is not in the mind or through the mind, it is in meditation that Savitri is revealed.
And men have the audacity to compare it with the work of Virgil or Homer and to find it inferior. They do not understand, they cannot understand. What do they know? Nothing at all. And it is useless to try to make them understand. Men will know what it is, but in a distant future. It is only the new race with a new consciousness which will be able to understand. I assure you there is nothing under the blue sky to compare with Savitri. It is the mystery of mysteries. It is a *super-epic,* it is super-literature, super-poetry, super-vision, it is a super-work even if one considers the number of lines He has written. No, these human words are not adequate to describe Savitri. Yes, one needs superlatives, hyperboles to describe it. It is a hyper-epic. No, words express nothing of what Savitri is, at least I do not find them. It is of immense value - spiritual value and all other values; it is eternal in its subject, and infinite in its appeal, miraculous in its mode and power of execution; it is a unique thing, the more you come into contact with it, the higher will you be uplifted. Ah, truly it is something! It is the most beautiful thing He has left for man, the highest possible. What is it? When will man know it? When is he going to lead a life of truth? When is he going to accept this in his life? This yet remains to be seen.
My child, every day you are going to read Savitri; read properly, with the right attitude, concentrating a little before opening the pages and trying to keep the mind as empty as possible, absolutely without a thought. The direct road is through the heart. I tell you, if you try to really concentrate with this aspiration you can light the flame, the psychic flame, the flame of purification in a very short time, perhaps in a few days. What you cannot do normally, you can do with the help of Savitri. Try and you will see how very different it is, how new, if you read with this attitude, with this something at the back of your consciousness; as though it were an offering to Sri Aurobindo. You know it is charged, fully charged with consciousness; as if Savitri were a being, a real guide. I tell you, whoever, wanting to practice Yoga, tries sincerely and feels the necessity for it, will be able to climb with the help of Savitri to the highest rung of the ladder of Yoga, will be able to find the secret that Savitri represents. And this without the help of a Guru. And he will be able to practice it anywhere. For him Savitri alone will be the guide, for all that he needs he will find Savitri. If he remains very quiet when before a difficulty, or when he does not know where to turn to go forward and how to overcome obstacles, for all these hesitations and incertitudes which overwhelm us at every moment, he will have the necessary indications, and the necessary concrete help. If he remains very calm, open, if he aspires sincerely, always he will be as if lead by the hand. If he has faith, the will to give himself and essential sincerity he will reach the final goal.
Indeed, Savitri is something concrete, living, it is all replete, packed with consciousness, it is the supreme knowledge above all human philosophies and religions. It is the spiritual path, it is Yoga, Tapasya, Sadhana, in its single body. Savitri has an extraordinary power, it gives out vibrations for him who can receive them, the true vibrations of each stage of consciousness. It is incomparable, it is truth in its plenitude, the Truth Sri Aurobindo brought down on the earth. My child, one must try to find the secret that Savitri represents, the prophetic message Sri Aurobindo reveals there for us. This is the work before you, it is hard but it is worth the trouble. - 5 November 1967
~ The Mother, Sweet Mother, The Mother to Mona Sarkar, [T0],#KEYS
*** WISDOM TROVE ***
1:Humility is self-forgetfulness. ~ c-s-lewis, @wisdomtrove 2:Exercise humility and restraint. ~ warren-buffet, @wisdomtrove 3:Perfect humility dispenses with modesty. ~ c-s-lewis, @wisdomtrove 4:Humility is a virtue, not a neurosis. ~ thomas-merton, @wisdomtrove 5:True humility means giving joy to others. ~ sri-chinmoy, @wisdomtrove 6:Humility is a virtue; timidity is an illness. ~ jim-rohn, @wisdomtrove 7:Community is where humility and glory touch. ~ henri-nouwen, @wisdomtrove 8:Humility is the mark of a genuine disciple. ~ denis-diderot, @wisdomtrove 9:Humility is the mark of a genuine disciple. ~ thomas-aquinas, @wisdomtrove 10:Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues. ~ confucius, @wisdomtrove 11:Ah, the first step in humility: Listening. ~ michael-beckwith, @wisdomtrove 12:Humility and resignation are our prime virtues. ~ john-dryden, @wisdomtrove 13:Some people are proud of their humility. ~ henry-ward-beecher, @wisdomtrove 14:Humility is the proper estimate of oneself. ~ charles-spurgeon, @wisdomtrove 15:Humility, after the first shock, is cheerful virtue. ~ c-s-lewis, @wisdomtrove 16:Without humility, all spiritual progress stops. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 17:Learning is the very essence of humility . . . ~ jiddu-krishnamurti, @wisdomtrove 18:Humility is born of the spirit, humiliation of the ego. ~ alan-cohen, @wisdomtrove 19:Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real. ~ thomas-merton, @wisdomtrove 20:Humility is to make a right estimate of one's self. ~ charles-spurgeon, @wisdomtrove 21:Humility is, in a sense, admitting how egotistical you are. ~ criss-jami, @wisdomtrove 22:Humility is the most beautiful virtue that we can develop. ~ joyce-meyer, @wisdomtrove 23:Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility. ~ jane-austen, @wisdomtrove 24:Astronomy, as nothing else can do, teaches men humility. ~ arthur-c-carke, @wisdomtrove 25:If you have humility you are halfway to God-realization. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 26:True humility is a flower which will adorn any garden. ~ charles-spurgeon, @wisdomtrove 27:We must in strength and humility meet hate with love. ~ martin-luther-king, @wisdomtrove 28:Hard work and humility are essential for spiritual sadhana. ~ b-k-s-iyengar, @wisdomtrove 29:Humility is the time that you spend in love with existence. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 30:We learn humility through accepting humiliations cheerfully. ~ mother-teresa, @wisdomtrove 31:A man is never so proud as when striking an attitude of humility. ~ c-s-lewis, @wisdomtrove 32:Humility is only doubt, / And does the sun and moon blot out. ~ william-blake, @wisdomtrove 33:True humility is more like self-forgetfulness than false modesty. ~ c-s-lewis, @wisdomtrove 34:The only way you will advance spiritually is through humility. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 35:It takes simplicity and humility to worship God acceptably. ~ aiden-wilson-tozer, @wisdomtrove 36:Your life is pure joy, pure ecstasy, when you live in humility. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 37:Humility is courage, the open acceptance of your own perfection. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 38:Humility makes us ready to be blessed by the God of all grace. ~ charles-spurgeon, @wisdomtrove 39:Meditation is humility - the absence of thought, doubt, and ego. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 40:The path marked Humility will take you to the manger of the Messiah. ~ max-lucado, @wisdomtrove 41:We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility. ~ rabindranath-tagore, @wisdomtrove 42:Humility is not disgraceful, and carries no loss of true pride. ~ ernest-hemingway, @wisdomtrove 43:Only humility will lead us to unity, and unity will lead to peace. ~ mother-teresa, @wisdomtrove 44:Nothing can be further apart than true humility and servility. ~ henry-ward-beecher, @wisdomtrove 45:Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less. ~ c-s-lewis, @wisdomtrove 46:In success be moderate. Humility makes great men twice honourable. ~ benjamin-franklin, @wisdomtrove 47:The language of love is the language of humility or humbleness. ~ mata-amritanandamayi, @wisdomtrove 48:Humility means you're willing to give someone a bigger slice of the pie. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 49:When there's nothing but humility, there's nothing but spiritual oneness. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 50:The ego seeks fame and fortune. Humility doesn't seek at all - it accepts. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 51:Humility is the conscious awareness and acceptance of eternity as your body. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 52:... If humility does not precede all that we do, our efforts are fruitless. ~ saint-augustine, @wisdomtrove 53:Let gratitude be awakened; let humility be deepened; let love be quickened. ~ charles-spurgeon, @wisdomtrove 54:Love begets courage, moderation creates abundance and humility generates power ~ b-k-s-iyengar, @wisdomtrove 55:tags: environment, future, humility, nature, religion, science, society19 likesLike ~ d-t-suzuki, @wisdomtrove 56:Humility means that you have the courage to accept that you are eternity itself. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 57:Few men speak humbly of humility, chastely of chastity, skeptically of skepticism. ~ blaise-pascal, @wisdomtrove 58:If you have humility, you are willing to undertake anything to spread the dharma. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 59:Without humility you can't love. Love means looking beyond the self to the other. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 60:Heights of the spirit can only be climbed by passing through the portals of humility. ~ rudolf-steiner, @wisdomtrove 61:Discourses on humility are a source of pride in the vain and of humility in the humble. ~ blaise-pascal, @wisdomtrove 62:Humility is my best friend, I've always valued it above all other spiritual qualities. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 63:Your brilliance comes from your spirit. To deny it is arrogance. To accept it is humility. ~ alan-cohen, @wisdomtrove 64:If you wish to cultivate humility, then you should associate with those who are humble. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 65:It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels. ~ saint-augustine, @wisdomtrove 66:Obedience is the road to freedom, humility the road to pleasure, unity the road to personality. ~ c-s-lewis, @wisdomtrove 67:Religion in its humility restores man to his only dignity, the courage to live by grace. ~ george-santayana, @wisdomtrove 68:Thus there will be three effects of nearness to Jesus humility, happiness, and holiness. ~ charles-spurgeon, @wisdomtrove 69:Humility accepts the very nature of a human being is complete, unadulterated, ecstatic joy. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 70:Humility simply means that you do a great job at everything and it isn't really a big deal. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 71:If you seek eternity and light and luminosity, seek humility first ... first things first. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 72:I believe humility is a virtue, but I prefer not to use it unless it is absolutely necessary. ~ hellen-keller, @wisdomtrove 73:To get even near humility, even for a moment, is like a drink of cold water to a man in a desert. ~ c-s-lewis, @wisdomtrove 74:Humility forms the basis of honor, just as the low ground forms the foundation of a high elevation. ~ bruce-lee, @wisdomtrove 75:Walking in humility isn't focusing on what we are NOT; rather, it's declaring what God is. ~ aiden-wilson-tozer, @wisdomtrove 76:If you suffer in love, if you have problems in love, it's because you don't have enough humility. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 77:Humility is not cowardice. Meekness is not weakness. Humility and meekness are indeed spiritual powers. ~ sivananda, @wisdomtrove 78:Only a person who has passed through the gate of humility can ascend to the heights of the spirit. ~ rudolf-steiner, @wisdomtrove 79:We prefer humility in others - and if we prefer it in others - we can soon prefer it in ourselves. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 80:Accept that you are that - you are the matchless, eternal reality. That's true seeing, true humility. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 81:If you really have humility when you love, there is only one thought: "What can I do for my beloved?" ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 82:True humility-the basis of the Christian system-is the low but deep and firm foundation of all virtues. ~ edmund-burke, @wisdomtrove 83:We must speak with all the humility that is appropriate to our limited vision, but we must speak. ~ martin-luther-king, @wisdomtrove 84:With disadvantages enough to bring him to humility, a Scotsman is one of the proudest things alive. ~ oliver-goldsmith, @wisdomtrove 85:Let us be absolutely clear about one thing: we must not confuse humility with false modesty or servility. ~ paulo-coelho, @wisdomtrove 86:Humility can give everything to God. Everything comes from the source, everything returns to the source. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 87:Humility is the most important quality in the spiritual life. When it is lacking spiritual growth stops. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 88:Perfection is impossible without humility. Why should I strive for perfection, if I am already good enough? ~ leo-tolstoy, @wisdomtrove 89:I must play my role, great or small - that is humility, without self-importance, without self-indulgence. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 90:Real humility is something that no one else will see. No one will know about your humility, if it's real. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 91:When you know you know nothing, an air of openness and humility prevails. Then real understanding enters the mind. ~ mooji, @wisdomtrove 92:And in self-giving we become really happy. Real humility is the expansion of our consciousness and our service. ~ sri-chinmoy, @wisdomtrove 93:Humility provides everyone, even him who despairs in solitude, with the strongest relationship to his fellow man. ~ franz-kafka, @wisdomtrove 94:If anyone would like to acquire humility, the first step is to realize one is proud. Nothing can be done before it. ~ c-s-lewis, @wisdomtrove 95:One who has an inferiority complex can never be really humble, but can only have false modesty or false humility. ~ sri-chinmoy, @wisdomtrove 96:Humility is the most difficult of all virtues to achieve; nothing dies harder than the desire to think well of self. ~ t-s-eliot, @wisdomtrove 97:Humility must always be doing its work like a bee making honey in the hive: without humility all will be lost. ~ teresa-of-avila, @wisdomtrove 98:Humility doesn't mean hiding in the corner and pretending you are not strong. Humility means to be what you are. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 99:The whole purpose of religion is to facilitate love and compassion, patience, tolerance, humility, and forgiveness. ~ dalai-lama, @wisdomtrove 100:Authority exercised with humility, and obedience accepted with delight are the very lines along which our spirits live. ~ c-s-lewis, @wisdomtrove 101:Humility is not something that comes naturally. But it is a cardinal virtue that should be pursued more than any other. ~ joyce-meyer, @wisdomtrove 102:There is more value in a little study of humility and in a single act of it than in all the knowledge in the world. ~ teresa-of-avila, @wisdomtrove 103:Humility has tremendous power. Think of Gandhi. That was humility in action. He changed the shape of an entire nation. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 104:Humility is to make a right estimate of oneself. It is no humility for a man to think less of himself than he ought. ~ charles-spurgeon, @wisdomtrove 105:Humility means realizing that it's fun to give everything away, particularly the things that you are most attached to. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 106:True humility does not know that it is humble. If it did, it would be proud from the contemplation of so fine a virtue. ~ martin-luther, @wisdomtrove 107:There is nothing that isn't perfect, the only reason we don't see that perfection constantly is because we lack humility. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 108:Every day work on your humility through your meditation, giving more of yourself, giving those things you don't want to give. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 109:Spread abroad the name of Jesus in humility and with a meek heart; show him your feebleness, and he will become your strength. ~ thomas-merton, @wisdomtrove 110:Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. ~ saint-augustine, @wisdomtrove 111:Humility accepts that God places us in the right place at every single moment, not a moment to soon and not a moment too late. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 112:Humility means coming to the root of the matter, honestly looking at yourself and saying: "This is me for better or for worse." ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 113:Every human being has appetites difficult to control but far fewer have humility, gentleness, and an awareness of their weaknesses. ~ dean-koontz, @wisdomtrove 114:Whenever I'm around some who is modest, I think, & 115:In humility alone lies true greatness, and knowledge and wisdom are profitable only in so far as our lives are governed by them. ~ nicholas-of-cusa, @wisdomtrove 116:Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast. ~ jane-austen, @wisdomtrove 117:The primary quality that Lao Tzu seems to emobdy is humility, which is the image of water - seeking the common level of existence. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 118:Humility means freedom. It provides growth and takes you out of the cycle of change that you are currently in, which is stagnation. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 119:The fact that you see a manifold world with different times, places and conditions -this exists only because of a lack of humility. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 120:Sincerity must be bought at a price: the humility to recognize our innumerable errors, and fidelity in tirelessly setting them right. ~ thomas-merton, @wisdomtrove 121:God measures people by the small dimensions of humility and not by the bigness of their achievements or the size of their capabilities. ~ billy-graham, @wisdomtrove 122:Pride juggles with her toppling towers, They strike the sun and cease, But the firm feet of humility They grip the ground like trees. ~ g-k-chesterton, @wisdomtrove 123:Humility, however deep it be, neither disquiets nor troubles nor disturbs the soul; it is accompanied by peace, joy and tranquillity. ~ teresa-of-avila, @wisdomtrove 124:Humility has such power. Apologies can disarm arguments. Contrition can defuse rage. Olive branches do more good than battle axes ever will. ~ max-lucado, @wisdomtrove 125:Humility feels that there is someone, somewhere who can do anything I can do better - except one thing: no one can be better at being me. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 126:Humility sets us free to do what is really good, by showing us our illusions and withdrawing our will from what was only an apparent good. ~ thomas-merton, @wisdomtrove 127:Humility - the discipline of putting others ahead of self, the choice to value others above self - is, at its core, a matter of faith. ~ charles-r-swindoll, @wisdomtrove 128:Self knowledge puts us on our knees, and it is very necessary for love. For knowledge of God gives love, and knowledge of self gives humility ~ mother-teresa, @wisdomtrove 129:A great deal of humility is necessary in the process of self-discovery. Humility is the ability to accept what and who you are at this moment. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 130:Humility, a sense of reverence before the sons of heaven - of all the prizes that a mortal man might win, these, I say, are wisest; these are best. ~ euripedes, @wisdomtrove 131:Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in the blood of his followers and the sacrifices of his friends. ~ dwight-eisenhower, @wisdomtrove 132:Modern science has been a voyage into the unknown, with a lesson in humility waiting at every stop. Many passengers would rather have stayed home. ~ carl-sagan, @wisdomtrove 133:On Pride: This sickness is most dangerous when it succeeds in looking like humility. When a proud man thinks he is humble his case is hopeless. ~ thomas-merton, @wisdomtrove 134:& 135:In humility is the greatest freedom. As long as you have to defend the imaginary self that you think is important, you lose your peace of heart. ~ thomas-merton, @wisdomtrove 136:When you realize that the ego is making you miserable you don't identify with it. You identify with your soul's humility and the ego dissolves. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 137:For the believer, humility is honesty about one's greatest flaws to a degree in which he fearless about truly appearing less righteous than another. ~ criss-jami, @wisdomtrove 138:For the Christian, humility is absolutely indispensable. Without it there can be no self-knowledge, no repentance, no faith and no salvation. ~ aiden-wilson-tozer, @wisdomtrove 139:The greatest ornament of an illustrious life is modesty and humility, which go a great way in the character even of the most exalted princes. ~ napoleon-bonaparte, @wisdomtrove 140:The true way and the sure way to friendship is through humility-being open to each other, accepting each other just as we are, knowing each other. ~ mother-teresa, @wisdomtrove 141:You need to have the humility to accept your limitations as long as they're there, and have the humility to accept their end when that time comes. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 142:We may speak of love and humility as the true flowers of spiritual growth; and they give off a wonderful scent, which benefits all those who come near. ~ teresa-of-avila, @wisdomtrove 143:We should be teaching our children the scientific method and the reasons for a Bill of Rights. With it comes a certain decency, humility and community spirit. ~ carl-sagan, @wisdomtrove 144:Humility is a quality for which I have only a limited admiration. In many phases of life it is a great mistake and degenerates into defensiveness or hypocrisy. ~ e-m-forster, @wisdomtrove 145:There are two things that men should never weary of, goodness and humility; we get none too much of them in this rough world among cold, proud people. ~ robert-louis-stevenson, @wisdomtrove 146:Christianity, with its doctrine of humility, of forgiveness, of love, is incompatible with the state, with its haughtiness, its violence, its punishment, its wars ~ leo-tolstoy, @wisdomtrove 147:Use humility to make the enemy haughty. Tire them by flight. Cause division among them. When they are unprepared, attack and make your move when they do not expect it. ~ sun-tzu, @wisdomtrove 148:A humble man is not afraid of failure. In fact, he is not afraid of anything, even himself, since perfect humility implies perfect confidence in the power of God. ~ thomas-merton, @wisdomtrove 149:Only the ego can fear, experience hate, lust and jealousy. Humility experiences none of these things - it merges into the transcendental awareness of perfection. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 150:The only wisdom we can hope to acquire Is the wisdom of humility: humility is endless. The houses are all gone under the sea. The dancers are all gone under the hill. ~ t-s-eliot, @wisdomtrove 151:You have to refine your being. You have to go through all of the stages and steps of erasing yourself through service to others with purity, humility, integrity. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 152:Shall it be a religion or shall it be Christ? Shall it be churchianity or shall it be Jesus Christ? Shall it be pride or shall it be humility in Jesus Christ? ~ aiden-wilson-tozer, @wisdomtrove 153:Modesty is a learned affectation. It's no good. Humility is great, because humility says, & 154:Practice humility constantly. Whenever you start to think well of yourself, push those thoughts aside. Whenever you think ill of yourself, push those thoughts aside. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 155:Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance. ~ saint-augustine, @wisdomtrove 156:Humility must accompany all our actions, must be with us everywhere; for as soon as we glory in our good works they are of no further value to our advancement in virtue. ~ saint-augustine, @wisdomtrove 157:We tend to lack humility toward love, to patronize it rather than bow before it, to put mundane considerations before the emotional need to hold someone in our arms. ~ marianne-williamson, @wisdomtrove 158:Humility does not live in the prison of illusion that says that this world is a dark and terrible place. Those perceptions are phantoms; everything is eternity, God, divine. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 159:The emotional reaction in the peak experience has a special flavor of wonder, of awe, of reverence, of humility and surrender before the experience as before something great. ~ abraham-maslow, @wisdomtrove 160:It is a most certain truth, that the richer we see ourselves to be, confessing at the same time our poverty, the greater will be our progress, and the more real our humility. ~ teresa-of-avila, @wisdomtrove 161:Any pride or haughtiness, is displeasing to us, merely because it shocks our own pride, and leads us by sympathy into comparison, which causes the disagreeable passion of humility. ~ david-hume, @wisdomtrove 162:We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is good, because it is good; if bad, because it works in us patience, humility, contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country. ~ c-s-lewis, @wisdomtrove 163:Integrate these principles and habits deep within your nature; into your basic character: integrity, humility, fidelity, temperance, courage, justice, patience, simplicity, modesty. ~ stephen-r-covey, @wisdomtrove 164:Something very beautiful happens to people when their world's fallen apart: a humility, a nobility, a higher intelligence emerges at just the point when our knees hit the floor. ~ marianne-williamson, @wisdomtrove 165:I have said that each aspect of the novel demands a different quality of the reader. Well, the prophetic aspect demands two qualities: humility and the suspension of the sense of humour. ~ e-m-forster, @wisdomtrove 166:Art, if it is to be reckoned as one of the great values of life, must teach man humility, tolerance, wisdom and magnanimity. The value of art is not beauty, but right action. ~ william-somerset-maugham, @wisdomtrove 167:Your patient has become humble; have you drawn his attention to the fact? All virtues are less formidable to us once the man is aware that he has them, but this is specially true of humility. ~ c-s-lewis, @wisdomtrove 168:Man himself cannot express love and humility by external signs, so plainly as does a dog, when with drooping ears, hanging lips, flexuous body, and wagging tail, he meets his beloved master. ~ charles-darwin, @wisdomtrove 169:Our best work can't possibly appeal to the average masses, only our average work can. Finding the humility to happily walk away from those that don't get it unlocks our ability to do great work. ~ seth-godin, @wisdomtrove 170:Someone else would come, another self that was a little more refined, that had a little more purity, a little more humility, because I was quite egotistical, I thought I was quite wonderful. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 171:Thirteen virtues necessary for true success: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility. ~ benjamin-franklin, @wisdomtrove 172:It is important that we learn humility, which says there was someone else before me who paid for me. My responsibility is to prepare myself so that I can pay for someone else who is yet to come. ~ maya-angelou, @wisdomtrove 173:Selfless-giving burns away the layers of the onion. Purity and humility keep meditation and selfless-giving clear. Love radiates through the entire practice because we do all of it only for love. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 174:One has to be alone, under the sky, Before everything falls into place and one finds his or her own place in the midst of it all. We have to have the humility to realize ourselves as part of nature. ~ thomas-merton, @wisdomtrove 175:... when you trust the Lord God to give you the next step, when you wait in humility upon Him, *He* will open the doors or close them, and you'll get to rest and relax until He says, & 176:It was the first time it had ever occurred to me, that this detestable cant of false humility might have originated out of the Heep family. I had seen the harvest, but had never thought of the seed. ~ charles-dickens, @wisdomtrove 177:Love without humility results in the inclination to act as everyone's parent, humility without love results in the need to be everyone's child, and love with humility results in the desire to be a friend. ~ criss-jami, @wisdomtrove 178:Get your emotions under control and your life under control. Work really hard and don't make a big deal out of yourself. Have humility. Believe in yourself. Don't get a fanatical fixation on a teacher. ~ frederick-lenz, @wisdomtrove 179:Real greatness is often hidden, humble, simple, and unobtrusive. It is not easy to trust ourselves and our actions without public affirmation. We must have strong self-confidence combined with deep humility. ~ henri-nouwen, @wisdomtrove 180:Humility may well be one of the most difficult of the fruit of the Spirit to be cultivated in us - and to maintain. That's because without humility, it's not likely that you will put your complete trust in God. ~ joyce-meyer, @wisdomtrove 181:We can express our worship to God in many ways. But if we love the Lord and are led by His Holy Spirit, our worship will always bring a delighted sense of admiring awe and a sincere humility on our part. ~ aiden-wilson-tozer, @wisdomtrove 182:Man approaches God most nearly when he is in one sense least like God. For what can be more unlike than fullness and need, sovereignty and humility, righteousness and penitence, limitless power and a cry for help? ~ c-s-lewis, @wisdomtrove 183:Catch {a man} at the moment when he is really poor in spirit and smuggle into his mind the gratifying reflection, "By jove, I'm being humble," and almost immediately pride - pride at his own humility - will appear. ~ c-s-lewis, @wisdomtrove 184:Every leader should have enough humility to accept, publicly, the responsibility for the mistakes of the subordinates he has himself selected and, likewise, to give them credit, publicly, for their triumphs. ~ dwight-eisenhower, @wisdomtrove 185:Learn, he says, that there will be hours, days and months ahead of feeling absolutely terrible and nothing can change that; neither new girlfriends, health professionals, changes of diet, dope, humility, or God. ~ charles-bukowski, @wisdomtrove 186:One must be willing to stand alone - in the unknown, with no reference to authority or the past or any of one's conditioning. One must stand where no one has stood before in complete nakedness, innocence, and humility. ~ adyashanti, @wisdomtrove 187:Worship means reverence and humility. It means revering your real self and humbling delusions. If you can wipe out evil desires and harbor good thoughts, even if nothing shows, it's worship. Such form is its real form. ~ bodhidharma, @wisdomtrove 188:The most critical need of the church at this moment is men, bold men, free men. The church must seek, in prayer and much humility, the coming again of men made of the stuff of which prophets and martyrs are made. ~ aiden-wilson-tozer, @wisdomtrove 189:One of the fundamental points about religious humility is you say you don't know about the ultimate judgment. It's beyond your judgment. And if you equate God's judgment with your judgment, you have a wrong religion. ~ reinhold-niebuhr, @wisdomtrove 190:The surest foundation in which this perfection may rest is humility; whatever here crawls in the deepest abjectness, that the Spirit lifts to the very heights of God, for love brings suffering and suffering brings love. ~ meister-eckhart, @wisdomtrove 191:When you pray, pray so that you may know Him. When you seek to simplify, do it as a means of knowing Him more. When you surrender, or behave with humility or sacrifice, do it with the sole purpose in mind to know Him. ~ charles-r-swindoll, @wisdomtrove 192:Discourses on humility are a source of pride in the vain and of humility in the humble. So those on scepticism cause believers to affirm. Few men speak humbly of humility, chastely of chastity, few doubtingly of scepticism. ~ blaise-pascal, @wisdomtrove 193:There's a belief that you're supposed to be poor, and suffering, and show your humility. I just don't see the Bible that way. I see that God came and Jesus died so that we might live an abundant life and be a blessing to others. ~ joel-osteen, @wisdomtrove 194:It is certain that the love of God does not consist in this sweetness and tenderness which we for the most part desire; but rather in serving Him in justice, fortitude, and humility. His Majesty seeks and loves courageous souls. ~ teresa-of-avila, @wisdomtrove 195:Love begets courage, moderation creates abundance and humility generates power. Courage without love is brutish. Abundance without moderation leads to over-indulgence and decay. Power without humility breeds arrogance and tyranny. ~ b-k-s-iyengar, @wisdomtrove 196:One of the most difficult things to learn is to render service without bossing, without making a fuss about it, and without any consciousness of high and low. In the world of spirituality, humility counts at least as much as utility. ~ meher-baba, @wisdomtrove 197:The modern habit of doing ceremonial things unceremoniously is no proof of humility; rather it proves the offender's inability to forget himself in the rite, and his readiness to spoil for every one else the proper pleasure of ritual. ~ c-s-lewis, @wisdomtrove 198:No writer who knows the great writers who did not receive the Prize can accept it other than with humility. There is no need to list these writers. Everyone here may make his own list according to his knowledge and his conscience. ~ ernest-hemingway, @wisdomtrove 199:What humility does for one is it reminds us that there are people before me. I have already been paid for. And what I need to do is prepare myself so that I can pay for someone else who has yet to come but who may be here and needs me. ~ maya-angelou, @wisdomtrove 200:A man who is eating or lying with his wife or preparing to go to sleep in humility, thankfulness and temperance, is, by Christian standards, in an infinitely higher state than one who is listening to Bach or reading Plato in a state of pride. ~ c-s-lewis, @wisdomtrove 201:The mission of Christian humility in social life is not merely to edify, but to keep minds open to many alternatives. The rigidity of a certain type of Christian thought has seriously impaired this capacity, which nonviolence must recover. ~ thomas-merton, @wisdomtrove 202:The Christian churches and Christianity have nothing in common save in name: they are utterly hostile opposites. The churches are arrogance, violence, usurpation, rigidity, death; Christianity is humility, penitence, submissiveness, progress, life. ~ leo-tolstoy, @wisdomtrove 203:Hold on to your humility. All self-misery has its roots in self-pity, and all self- pity is rooted in taking life too seriously. If you take everything too seriously, especially yourself, you’ll wind up fearing every new step you take. ~ marc-and-angel-chernoff, @wisdomtrove 204:Although the human heart is selfish and arrogant, so many struggle against their selfishness and learn humility; because of them, as long as there is life, there is hope that beauty lost can be rediscovered, that what has been reviled can be redeemed. ~ dean-koontz, @wisdomtrove 205:We shall never learn to know ourselves except by endeavoring to know God; for, beholding His greatness we realize our own littleness; His purity shows us our foulness; and by meditating upon His humility we find how very far we are from being humble. ~ teresa-of-avila, @wisdomtrove 206:Humility does not disturb or disquiet or agitate, however great it may be; it comes with peace, delight, and calm. . . . The pain of genuine humility doesn't agitate or afflict the soul; rather, this humility expands it and enables it to serve God more. ~ teresa-of-avila, @wisdomtrove 207:... one doubts existence of free will [because] every action determined by heredity, constitution, example of others or teaching of others." "This view should teach one profound humility, one deserves no credit for anything... nor ought one to blame others. ~ charles-darwin, @wisdomtrove 208:Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being little. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation. Modest humility is beauty's crown. ~ saint-augustine, @wisdomtrove 209:Spirituality automatically leads to humility. When a flower develops into a fruit, the petals drop off on its own. When one becomes spiritual, the ego vanishes gradually on its own. A tree laden with fruits always bends low. Humility is a sign of greatness. ~ sri-ramakrishna, @wisdomtrove 210:The heights of the spirit can only be climbed by passing through the portals of humility. You can only acquire right knowledge when you have learnt to esteem it. Man has certainly the right to turn his eyes to the light, but he must first acquire this right. ~ rudolf-steiner, @wisdomtrove 211:Humility is the mother of all virtues. Humility says we are not in control, principles are in control, therefore we submit ourselves to principles. Pride says that we are in control, and since our values govern our behaviour, we can simply do life our way. ~ stephen-r-covey, @wisdomtrove 212:Do not let me hear Of the wisdom of old men, but rather of their folly, Their fear of fear and frenzy, their fear of possession, Of belonging to another, or to others, or to God. The only wisdom we can hope to acquire Is the wisdom of humility: humility is endless. ~ t-s-eliot, @wisdomtrove 213:Pain is a gift. Humanity, without pain, would know neither fear nor pity. Without fear, there could be no humility, and every man would be a monster. The recognition of pain and fear in others give rise in us to pity, and in our pity is our humanity, our redemption. ~ dean-koontz, @wisdomtrove 214:If you should ask me what are the ways of God, I would tell you that the first is humility, the second is humility, and the third is humility. Not that there are no other precepts to give, but if humility does not preceed all that we do, our efforts are fruitless. ~ saint-augustine, @wisdomtrove 215:Character is the direct result of mental attitude. I believe that character is higher than the intellect. I believe that leadership is in sacrifice, in self-denial, in humility and in the perfectly disciplined will. This is the distinction between great and little men. ~ vince-lombardi, @wisdomtrove 216:Let any man turn to God in earnest, let him begin to exercise himself unto godliness, let him seek to develop his powers of spiritual receptivity by trust and obedience and humility, and the results will exceed anything he may have hoped in his leaner and weaker days. ~ aiden-wilson-tozer, @wisdomtrove 217:A seed has to get buried in the soil for its real form as a plant to emerge. Only through modesty and humility can we grow. Pride and conceit will only destroy us. Live with the firm attitude, & 218:Mary, my dearest Mother, give me your heart so beautiful, so pure, so immaculate, your heart so full of love and humility, that I may be able to receive Jesus in the Bread of Life, love Him as you loved Hitn and serve Him in the distressing disguise of the poorest of the poor. ~ mother-teresa, @wisdomtrove 219:If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realize that one is proud. And a biggish step, too. At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means that you are very conceited indeed. ~ c-s-lewis, @wisdomtrove 220:It is not humility to underrate yourself. Humility is to think of yourself as God thinks of you. It is to feel that if we have talents God has given them to us. And let it be seen that, like freight in a vessel, they tend to sink us low. The more we have, the lower we ought to lie. ~ charles-spurgeon, @wisdomtrove 221:Is suffering really necessary? Yes and no. If you had not suffered as you have, there would be no depth to you as a human being, no humility, no compassion. You would not be reading this now. Suffering cracks open the shell of ego, and then comes a point when it has served its purpose. ~ eckhart-tolle, @wisdomtrove 222:Mental toughness is many things. It is humility because it behooves all of us to remember that simplicity is the sign of greatness and meekness is the sign of true strength. Mental toughness is spartanism with qualities of sacrifice, self-denial, dedication. It is fearlessness, and it is love. ~ vince-lombardi, @wisdomtrove 223:Progress is not possible without discipline. A nation, institution, family or individual can advance only by heeding the words of those who deserve respect and by obeying the appropriate rules and regulations. Children, obedience is not weakness. Obedience with humility leads to discipline. ~ mata-amritanandamayi, @wisdomtrove 224:When you own your share in something that your partner did to you, it's the sweetest thing in the world. You just feel humility, without the slightest urge to defend yourself. It leaves you completely vulnerable. This is the kind of vulnerability you want to lick off the pavement, it's so delicious. ~ byron-katie, @wisdomtrove 225:An authentically empowered person is humble. This does not mean the false humility of one who stoops to be with those who are below him or her. It is the inclusiveness of one who responds to the beauty of each soul. ... It is the harmlessness of one who treasures, honours and reveres life in all its forms. ~ gary-zukav, @wisdomtrove 226:You wish to be great, begin from the least. You are thinking to construct some mighty fabric in height; first think of the foundation of humility. And how great soever a mass of building one may wish and design to place above it, the greater the building is to be, the deeper does he dig his foundation. ~ saint-augustine, @wisdomtrove 227:Spirituality is the science that teaches us how to achieve peace of mind and supreme satisfaction. Right now we are hankering after many, many things, but nothing we get satisfies us. Spirituality tells us that satisfaction can be found only if we lead a good and divine life-a life of simplicity, purity and humility. ~ sri-chinmoy, @wisdomtrove 228:I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize. The first is gentleness; the second is frugality; the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others. Be gentle and you can be bold; be frugal and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others and you can become a leader among men. ~ lao-tzu, @wisdomtrove 229:In humility is the greatest freedom. As long as you have to defend the imaginary self that you think is important, you lose your piece of heart. As soon as you compare that shadow with the shadows of other people, you lose all joy, because you have begun to trade in unrealities and there is no joy in things that do not exist. ~ thomas-merton, @wisdomtrove 230:In the spiritual life the easiest way to conquer ego is to offer gratitude to God for five minutes daily. If you cannot offer gratitude for five minutes, then utter it for one minute. Offer your gratitude to God. Then you will feel that inside you a sweet, fragrant and beautiful flower is growing. That is the flower of humility. ~ sri-chinmoy, @wisdomtrove 231:And what kind of habitation pleases God? What must our natures be like before he can feel at home within us? He asks nothing but a pure heart and a single mind. He asks no rich paneling, no rugs from the Orient, no art treasures from afar. He desires but sincerity, transparency, humility, and love. He will see to the rest. ~ aiden-wilson-tozer, @wisdomtrove 232:The barrier during self-improvement is not so much that we hate learning, rather we hate being taught. To learn entails that the knowledge was achieved on one's own accord-it feels great-but to be taught often leaves a feeling of inferiority. Thus it takes a bit of determination and a lot of humility in order for one to fully develop. ~ criss-jami, @wisdomtrove 233:The Son of God did not want to be seen and found in heaven. Therefore he descended from heaven into this humility and came to us in our flesh, laid himself into the womb of his mother and into the manger and went on to the cross. This was the ladder that he placed on earth so that we might ascend to God on it. This is the way you must take. ~ martin-luther, @wisdomtrove 234:I am not a & 235:What he says, even on his knees, about his own sinfulness is all parrot talk. At bottom, he still believes he has run up a very favorable credit-balance in the Enemy's ledger by allowing himself to be converted, and thinks that he is showing great humility and condescension in going to church with these & 236:At some thoughts one stands perplexed - especially at the sight of men's sin - and wonders whether one should use force or humble love. Always decide to use humble love. If you resolve on that, once and for all, you may subdue the whole world. Loving humility is marvelously strong, the strongest of all things, and there is nothing else like it. ~ fyodor-dostoevsky, @wisdomtrove 237:Children, not a grain of the food we eat is made purely by our own effort. What comes to us in the form of food is the work of others, the bounty of Nature and God's compassion. Even if we have millions of dollars, we still need food to satisfy our hunger. Can we eat dollars? Therefore, never eat anything without first praying with humility. ~ mata-amritanandamayi, @wisdomtrove 238:Humility is the mother of all virtues; purity, charity and obedience. It is in being humble that our love becomes real, devoted and ardent. If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are. If you are blamed you will not be discouraged. If they call you a saint you will not put yourself on a pedestal. ~ mother-teresa, @wisdomtrove 239:We must like Moses cover ourselves with faith and humility while we steal a quick look at the God whom no man can see and live. The broken and the contrite heart He will not despise. We must hide our unholiness in the wounds of Christ as Moses hid himself in the cleft of the rock while the glory of God passed by. We must take refuge from God in God. ~ aiden-wilson-tozer, @wisdomtrove 240:One thing is certain: the humility of faith, if it is followed by the proper consequences-by the acceptance of the work and sacrifice demanded by our providential task-will do far more to launch us into the full current of historical reality than the pompous rationalizations of politicians who think they are somehow the directors and manipulators of history. ~ thomas-merton, @wisdomtrove 241:The God of Christians is a God of love and comfort, a God who fills the soul and heart of those whom he possesses, a God who makes them conscious of their inward wretchedness, and his infinite mercy; who unites himself to their inmost soul, who fills it with humility and joy, with confidence and love, who renders them incapable of any other end than himself. ~ blaise-pascal, @wisdomtrove 242:Facing personal truths and purging yourself of addictions or manipulative habits require strength, courage, humility, faith, and other qualities of a soul with stamina, because you are not just changing yourself; you are changing your universe. Your soul is a compass. Change one coordinate in your spiritual compass and you change your entire life's direction. ~ caroline-myss, @wisdomtrove 243:Facing personal truths and purging yourself of addictions or manipulative habits require strength, courage, humility, faith, and other qualities of a soul with stamina, because you are not just changing yourself; you are changing your universe. Your soul is a compass. Change one coordinate in your spiritual compass and you change your entire life's direction. ~ norman-vincent-peale, @wisdomtrove 244:What we suffer from today is humility in the wrong place... The old humility was a spur that prevented a man from stopping; not a nail in his boot that prevented him from going on. For the old humility made a man doubtful about his efforts, which made him work harder. But the new humility makes a man doubtful about his aims, which will make him stop working altogether. ~ g-k-chesterton, @wisdomtrove 245:When you really have something to offer to the world, then you can become truly humble. A tree when it has no fruit to offer, remains erect. But when the tree is laden with fruit, it bends down. If you are all pride and ego, then nobody will be able to get anything worthwhile from you. When you have genuine humility, it is a sign that you have something to offer to mankind. ~ sri-chinmoy, @wisdomtrove 246:Does what's happened keep you from acting with justice, generosity, self-control, sanity, prudence, honesty, humility, straightforward ness, and all other qualities that allow a person's nature to fulfil itself? So, remember this principle when something threatens to cause you pain: the thing itself was no misfortune at all; to endure it and prevail is great good fortune. ~ marcus-aurelius, @wisdomtrove 247:Because God is never cruel, there is a reason for all things. We must know the pain of loss; because if we never knew it, we would have no compassion for others, and we would become monsters of self-regard, creatures of unalloyed self-interest. The terrible pain of loss teaches humility to our prideful kind, has the power to soften uncaring hearts, to make a better person of a good one. ~ dean-koontz, @wisdomtrove 248:Jesus taught us how to forgive out of love, how to forget out of humility. So let us examine our hearts and see if there is any unforgiven hurt - any unforgotten bitterness! It is easy to love those who are far away. It isn't always easy to love those who are right next to us. It is easier to offer food to the hungry than to answer the lonely suffering of someone who lacks love right in one ~ mother-teresa, @wisdomtrove 249:What does it mean to know and experience my own “nothingness?” It is not enough to turn away in disgust from my illusions and faults and mistakes, to separate myself from them as if they were not, and as if I were someone other than myself. This kind of self-annihilati on is only a worse illusion, it is a pretended humility which, by saying “I am nothing” I mean in effect “I wish I were not what I am. ~ thomas-merton, @wisdomtrove 250:Don’t judge centering prayer on the basis of how many thoughts come or how much peace you enjoy. The only way to judge this prayer is by its long-range fruits: whether in daily life you enjoy greater peace, humility and charity. Having come to deep interior silence, you begin to relate to others beyond the superficial aspects of social status, race, nationality, religion, and personal characteristics. ~ thomas-keating, @wisdomtrove 251:The moment we use the term & 252:If the immutable heart can be grieved by the puppets of its own making, it is Divine Omnipotence, no other, that has subjected it, freely, and in a humility that passes understanding. If the world exists not chiefly that we may love God, but that God may love us, yet that very fact, on a deeper level, is so for our sakes. If He who in Himself can lack nothing chooses to need us, it is because we need to be needed. ~ c-s-lewis, @wisdomtrove 253:As I stood alone and forsaken, and the power of the sea and the battle of the elements reminded me of my own nothingness, and on the other hand, the sure flight of the birds recalled the words spoken by Christ: Not a sparrow shall fall on the ground without your Father: then, all at once, I felt how great and how small I was; then did those two mighty forces, pride and humility, happily unite in friendship. ~ soren-kierkegaard, @wisdomtrove 254:In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself; you will see it, perhaps, often in this history; for, even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility. ~ benjamin-franklin, @wisdomtrove 255:By this method thousands of humans have been brought to think that humility means pretty women trying to believe they are ugly and clever men trying to believe they are fools. And since what they are trying to believe may, in some cases, be manifest nonsense, they cannot succeed in believing it and we have the chance of keeping their minds endlessly revolving on themselves in an effort to achieve the the impossible. ~ c-s-lewis, @wisdomtrove 256:The vice I am talking of is Pride or Self-Conceit: and the virtue opposite to it, in Christian morals, is called Humility... According to Christian teachers, the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere flea bites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind. ~ c-s-lewis, @wisdomtrove 257:Are you disappointed, discouraged and discontented with your present level of success? Are you secretly dissatisfied with your present status? Do you want to become a better and more beautiful person than you are today? Would you like to be able to really learn how to be proud of yourself and still not lose genuine humility? Then start dreaming! It's possible! You can become the person you have always wanted to be! ~ robert-h-schuller, @wisdomtrove 258:My own idea, for what it is worth, is that all sadness which is not either arising from the repentance of a concrete sin and hastening towards concrete amendment or restitution, or else arising from pity and hastening to active assistance, is simply bad; and I think we all sin by needlessly disobeying the apostolic injunction to & 259:I say the same of humility and of all the virtues; the wiles of the devil are terrible, he will run a thousand times round hell if by so doing he can make us believe that we have a single virtue which we have not. And he is right, for such ideas are very harmful, and such imaginary virtues, when they come from this source, are never unaccompanied by vainglory; just as those which God gives are free both from this and from pride. ~ teresa-of-avila, @wisdomtrove 260:Hypocrisy versus authenticity among men is not always so black and white, and as is righteousness, humility is often self-proclaimed. The Church is most definitely supposed to be a hospital for the spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically sick, hurting, and broken individual, yet ironically, many of its critics are those who ran away and permanently denounced its members after they visited and felt that they were sneezed on. ~ criss-jami, @wisdomtrove 261:With all humility, I think, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." Infinitely more important than the vain attempt to love one's neighbor as one's self. If you want to hit a bird on the wing you must have all your will in focus, you must not be thinking about yourself, and equally, you must not be thinking about your neighbor; you must be living with your eye on that bird. Every achievement is a bird on the wing. ~ oliver-wendell-holmes-jr, @wisdomtrove 262:In order to learn true humility (I use this expression to describe the state of mind under discussion), it is good for a person to withdraw from the turmoil of the world (we see that Christ withdrew when the people wanted to proclaim him king as well as when he had to walk the thorny path), for in life either the depressing or the elevating impression is too dominant for a true balance to come about. Here, of course, individuality is very decisive. ~ soren-kierkegaard, @wisdomtrove 263:A failure remains a failure only if we refuse to learn from it. Any situation that teaches us greater humility, sobriety, wisdom about self and others, responsibility, forgiveness, depth of reflection, and better decision making -teaching us what's truly important& 264:Something very beautiful happens to people when their world has fallen apart: a humility, a nobility, a higher intelligence emerges at just the point when our knees hit the floor. Perhaps, in a way, that's where humanity is now: about to discover we're not as smart as we thought we were, will be forced by life to surrender our attacks and defenses which avail us of nothing, and finally break through into the collective beauty of who we really are. ~ marianne-williamson, @wisdomtrove 265:I love moving water, I love ships, I love the sharp definition, the concentrated humanity, the sublime solitude of life at sea. The dangers of it only make present to us the peril inherent in all existence, which the stupid, ignorant, un-travelled land-worm never discovers; and the art of it, so mathematical, so exact, so rewarding to intelligence, appeals to courage and clears the mind of superstition, while filling it with humility and true religion. ~ george-santayana, @wisdomtrove 266:There is one vice of which no man in the world is free; which every one in the world loathes when he sees it in someone else; and of which hardly any people, except Christians, ever imagine that they are guilty themselves. [‚Ķ] There is no fault which makes a man more unpopular, and no fault which we are more unconscious of in ourselves.[‚Ķ]The vice I am talking of is Pride or Self-Conceit: and the virtue opposite to it, in Christian morals, is called Humility. ~ c-s-lewis, @wisdomtrove 267:The heroes in paganism correspond exactly to the saints in popery, and holy dervises in MAHOMETANISM. The place of, HERCULES, THESEUS, HECTOR, ROMULUS, is now supplied by DOMINIC, FRANCIS, ANTHONY, and BENEDICT. Instead of the destruction of monsters, the subduing of tyrants, the defence of our native country; whippings and fastings, cowardice and humility, abject submission and slavish obedience, are become the means of obtaining celestial honours among mankind. ~ david-hume, @wisdomtrove 268:I now make it my earnest prayer that God would have you and the State over which you preside in His holy protection; that He would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation. ~ george-washington, @wisdomtrove 269:The humorous look of children is perhaps the most endearing of all the bonds that hold the Cosmos together. Their top-heavy dignity is more touching than any humility; their solemnity gives us more hope for all things than a thousand carnivals of optimism; their large and lustrous eyes seem to hold all the stars in their astonishment; their fascinating absence of nose seems to give to us the most perfect hint of the humour that awaits us in the kingdom of heaven. ~ g-k-chesterton, @wisdomtrove 270:These are the few ways we can practice humility: To speak as little as possible of one's self. To mind one's own business. Not to want to manage other people's affairs. To avoid curiosity. To accept contradictions and correction cheerfully. To pass over the mistakes of others. To accept insults and injuries. To accept being slighted, forgotten and disliked. To be kind and gentle even under provocation. Never to stand on one's dignity. To choose always the hardest. ~ mother-teresa, @wisdomtrove 271:Worship is to feel in the heart . . . it is an attitude and a state of mind. It is a sustained act, subject to varying degrees of intensity and perfection . . . Real worship is, among other things, a feeling about the Lord our God . . . It is in our hearts. And we must be willing to express it in an appropriate manner. If we love the Lord and are led by His Holy Spirit, our worship will always bring a delighted sense of admiring awe and a sincere humility on our part. ~ aiden-wilson-tozer, @wisdomtrove 272:It is not humility to insist on being someone that you are not. It is as much as saying that you know better than God who you are and who you ought to be. How do you expect to arrive at the end of your own journey if you take the road to another man's city? How do you expect to reach your own perfection by leading somebody else's life? His sanctity will never be yours; you must have the humility to work out your own salvation in a darkness where you are absolutely alone... ~ thomas-merton, @wisdomtrove 273:Narcissists are everywhere in this ripe age of self-love, which amazes me because so much in life would seem to foster humility. Each of us is a potential source of foolishness, each of us must endure the consequences of the foolishness of others, and in addition to all of that, Nature frequently works to impress upon us our absurdity and thereby remind us that we are not the masters of the universe that we like to suppose we are. - Odd Thomas - Odd Apocalypse by Dean Koontz pg 62 chapter 8 ~ dean-koontz, @wisdomtrove 274:I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection... and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacifick temper of the mind, which were the characteristicks of the divine Author of our blessed religion ; without an humble imitation of whose example, in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation. ~ george-washington, @wisdomtrove 275:The recent statement of your executive committee are the sentiments of my own heart and I found myself in full accord when I read its opening lines: "A time comes when silence is betrayal." That time has come for us in relation to Vietnam. Some of us who have already begun to break the silence of the night have found that the calling to speak is often a vocation of agony, but we must speak. We must speak with all the humility that is appropriate to our limited vision, but we must speak. ~ martin-luther-king, @wisdomtrove 276:The humility of Jesus can be seen in the crib, in the exile to Egypt, in the hidden life, in the inability to make people understand Him, in the desertion of His apostles, in the hatred of His persecutors, in all the terrible suffering and death of His Passion, and now in His permanent state of humility in the tabernacle, where He has reduced Himself to such a small particle of bread that the priest can hold Him with two fingers. The more we empty ourselves, the more room we give God to fill us. ~ mother-teresa, @wisdomtrove 277:We have made men proud of most vices, but not of cowardice. Whenever we have almost succeeded in doing so, God permits a war or an earthquake or some other calamity, and at once courage becomes so obviously lovely and important even in human eyes that all our work is undone, and there is still at least one vice of which they feel genuine shame. The danger of inducing cowardice in our patients, therefore, is lest we produce real self-knowledge and self-loathing, with consequent repentance and humility. ~ c-s-lewis, @wisdomtrove 278:We may think it humility not to realize that the Lord is bestowing gifts upon us. Let us understand very, very clearly, how this matter stands. God gives us these gifts for no merit of ours. Let us be grateful to His Majesty for them, for, unless we recognize that we are receiving them, we shall not be aroused to love Him. And it is a most certain thing that, if we remember all the time that we are poor, the richer we find ourselves, the greater will be the profit that comes to us and the more genuine our humility. ~ teresa-of-avila, @wisdomtrove 279:He made the earth first and peopled it with dumb creatures, and then He created man to be His overseer on the earth and to hold suzerainty over the earth and the animals on it in His name, not to hold for himself and his descendants inviolable title forever, generation after generation, to the oblongs and squares of the earth, but to hold the earth mutual and intact in the communal anonymity of brotherhood, and all the fee He asked was pity and humility and sufferance and endurance and the sweat of has face for bread. ~ william-faulkner, @wisdomtrove 280:If we can't think for ourselves, if we're unwilling to question authority, then we're just putty in the hands of those in power. But if the citizens are educated and form their own opinions, then those in power work for us. In every country, we should be teaching our children the scientific method and the reasons for a Bill of Rights. With it comes a certain decency, humility and community spirit. In the demon-haunted world that we inhabit by virtue of being human, this may be all that stands between us and the enveloping darkness. ~ carl-sagan, @wisdomtrove 281:The darkness of racial injustice will be dispelled only by the light of forgiving love. For more that three centuries American Negroes have been frustrated by day and bewilderment by night by unbearable injustice, and burdened with the ugly weight of discrimination. Forced to live with these shameful conditions, we are tempted to become bitter and retaliate with a corresponding hate. But if this happens, the new order we seek will be little more than a duplicate of the old order. We must in strength and humility meet hate with love. ~ martin-luther-king, @wisdomtrove 282:Go not to the temple to put flowers upon the feet of God, first fill your own house with the fragrance of love. Go not to the temple to light candles before the altar of God, first remove the darkness of sin from your heart. Go not to the temple to bow down your head in prayer, first learn to bow in humility before your fellow men. Go not to the temple to pray on bended knees, first bend down to lift someone who is down trodden. Go not to the temple to ask for forgiveness for your sins, first forgive from your heart those who have sinned against you. ~ rabindranath-tagore, @wisdomtrove 283:And that is enough to raise your thoughts to what may happen when the redeemed soul, beyond all hope and nearly beyond belief, learns at last that she has pleased Him whom she was created to please. There will be no room for vanity then. She will be free from the miserable illusion that it is her doing. With no taint of what we should now call self-approval she will most innocently rejoice in the thing that God has made her to be, and the moment which heals her old inferiority complex forever will also drown her pride‚Ķ Perfect humility dispenses with modesty. ~ c-s-lewis, @wisdomtrove 284:Good action and thoughts produce consequences which tend to neutralize, or put a stop to, the result of evil thoughts and actions. For as we give up the life of self (and note that, like forgiveness, repentance and humility are also special cases of giving), as we abandon what the German mystics called "the I, me, mine," we make ourselves progressively capable of receiving grace. By grace we are enabled to know reality more completely, and this knowledge of reality helps us to give up more of the life of selfhood - and so on, in a mounting spiral of illumination and regeneration. ~ aldous-huxley, @wisdomtrove 285:The angels were perplexed. They took counsel and resolved upon the following plan: Every time the saint's shadow fell behind him it would have the power to cure disease, soothe pain, and comfort sorrow. As he walked, behind him the shadow made arid paths green, caused withered plants to bloom, gave clear water to dried up brooks, fresh color to pale children, and joy to unhappy men and women. The saint simply went about his daily life diffusing virtue as the stars diffuse light and the flowers scent, without ever being aware of it. The people respecting his humility followed him silently, never speaking to him about his miracles. Soon they even forgot his name and called him "the Holy Shadow. ~ rachel-naomi-remen, @wisdomtrove *** NEWFULLDB 2.4M ***
1:Greatness is humility. ~ Kyle Idleman, #NFDB
2:Experience prefers humility. ~ Toba Beta, #NFDB
3:Travel is an act of humility ~ Pico Iyer, #NFDB
4:Humility is self-forgetfulness. ~ C S Lewis, #NFDB
5:Humility is the key. ~ Alcoholics Anonymous, #NFDB
6:Humility was never a loser. ~ Thomas Watson, #NFDB
7:Humility is a difficult lesson. ~ Carol Berg, #NFDB
8:Humility is the key to liberation. ~ Ma Jaya, #NFDB
9:Humility is always one play away. ~ Tim Foley, #NFDB
10:Humility is attentive patience. ~ Simone Weil, #NFDB
11:My power will be in humility. ~ Walter Russell, #NFDB
12:The noble must make humility his root. ~ Laozi, #NFDB
13:Do not practise excessive humility. ~ John Todd, #NFDB
14:Humility is the daughter of truth. ~ Anne Truitt, #NFDB
15:Exercise humility and restraint. ~ Warren Buffett, #NFDB
16:When would he learn humility? ~ Mary Alice Monroe, #NFDB
17:Humility has to precede instruction. ~ Idries Shah, #NFDB
18:I have a healthy amount of humility. ~ Seth Gordon, #NFDB
19:It ain't the heat, it's the humility. ~ Yogi Berra, #NFDB
20:Disasters teach us humility. ~ Anselm of Canterbury, #NFDB
21:humility is the greatest of virtues, ~ David Brooks, #NFDB
22:Life is a long lesson in humility. ~ James M Barrie, #NFDB
23:Perfect humility dispenses with modesty. ~ C S Lewis, #NFDB
24:The humility of wonder opens everything. ~ Mark Nepo, #NFDB
25:True humility is contentment. ~ Henri Frederic Amiel, #NFDB
26:Humility has the toughest hide. ~ Friedrich Nietzsche, #NFDB
27:... humility + humor = humanity. ~ Kathie Lee Gifford, #NFDB
28:Humility is a virtue, not a neurosis. ~ Thomas Merton, #NFDB
29:Humility is the light of understanding. ~ John Bunyan, #NFDB
30:Love's humility is love's true pride. ~ Bayard Taylor, #NFDB
31:Modesty is humility expressed in dress. ~ C J Mahaney, #NFDB
32:Dialogue cannot exist without humility. ~ Paulo Freire, #NFDB
33:Do not confuse humility with humiliation. ~ Alan Cohen, #NFDB
34:Do not try to be humble: learn humility. ~ Idries Shah, #NFDB
35:Pride divides the men, humility joins them. ~ Socrates, #NFDB
36:Pride sings and dances; humility sighs. ~ Mason Cooley, #NFDB
37:There is no gardening without humility ~ Alfred Austin, #NFDB
38:Humility is the forgetfulness of self. ~ Thomas Keating, #NFDB
39:humility is the mother of all virtues ~ Stephen R Covey, #NFDB
40:Modest humility is beauty's crown. ~ Friedrich Schiller, #NFDB
41:Practice humility and patience. ~ Saint Vincent de Paul, #NFDB
42:True humility means giving joy to others. ~ Sri Chinmoy, #NFDB
43:Humility is a virtue; timidity is an illness. ~ Jim Rohn, #NFDB
44:Humility is the forgetfulness of self. ~ Thomas Keating, #NFDB
45:Humility is the mother of giants. ~ Gilbert K Chesterton, #NFDB
46:Humility is the surest sign of strength. ~ Thomas Merton, #NFDB
47:Humility opens the door of opportunity. ~ Lysa TerKeurst, #NFDB
48:Humility opens the ears of opportunity. ~ Lysa TerKeurst, #NFDB
49:If we learn not humility, we learn nothing. ~ John Dewey, #NFDB
50:Compassion directed to oneself is humility. ~ Simone Weil, #NFDB
51:Humility can only be born out of humiliation ~ Jean Genet, #NFDB
52:Humility is the light of the understanding. ~ John Bunyan, #NFDB
53:Humility is the secret of the wise. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, #NFDB
54:Humility, humility, humility, and humility. ~ Peter Kreeft, #NFDB
55:Humility is the cornerstone of leadership. ~ John G Miller, #NFDB
56:Humility moves more mountains than arrogance. ~ Alan Cohen, #NFDB
57:Humility neither falls far, nor heavily. ~ Publilius Syrus, #NFDB
58:A humble man speaks not of his own humility ~ Jeremy Aldana, #NFDB
59:Community is where humility and glory touch. ~ Henri Nouwen, #NFDB
60:Humility enables us to learn from each other. ~ Bill Hybels, #NFDB
61:Humility is a byproduct of enduring success. ~ Iimani David, #NFDB
62:Humility is a virtue when you have no other. ~ Edward Abbey, #NFDB
63:humility is the true measure of wisdom. ~ Devdutt Pattanaik, #NFDB
64:In humility imitate Jesus and Socrates. ~ Benjamin Franklin, #NFDB
65:True intimacy with God always brings humility. ~ Beth Moore, #NFDB
66:Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues. ~ Confucius, #NFDB
67:Nonviolence is impossible without humility. ~ Mahatma Gandhi, #NFDB
68:Where there is humility, there is no story. ~ John de Ruiter, #NFDB
69:Ah, the first step in humility: Listening. ~ Michael Beckwith, #NFDB
70:God will bless us if we walk in humility. ~ Gordon B Hinckley, #NFDB
71:Humility and resignation are our prime virtues. ~ John Dryden, #NFDB
72:Humility is the beginning of true intelligence. ~ John Calvin, #NFDB
73:If there is no humility, love remains blocked. ~ Pope Francis, #NFDB
74:Some people are proud of their humility. ~ Henry Ward Beecher, #NFDB
75:Barbaric accuracy - whimpering humility. ~ Georg C Lichtenberg, #NFDB
76:Humility is a very important trait in a critic. ~ Gary Giddins, #NFDB
77:Humility is the earmark of God's genuine servant. ~ Beth Moore, #NFDB
78:Humility is the proper estimate of oneself. ~ Charles Spurgeon, #NFDB
79:Power is dangerous unless you have humility. ~ Richard J Daley, #NFDB
80:True love is the parent of humility. ~ William Ellery Channing, #NFDB
81:Your own humility endorses your integrity! ~ Israelmore Ayivor, #NFDB
82:Bear in mind that humility is not timidity. ~ Israelmore Ayivor, #NFDB
83:Church unity comes from corporate humility. ~ Leonard Ravenhill, #NFDB
84:Hope will only grow in the ground of humility. ~ Edward T Welch, #NFDB
85:The first product of self-knowledge is humility, ~ Ryan Holiday, #NFDB
86:"The greatest patience is humility." ~ Atiśa Dīpa kara Śrījñāna, #NFDB
87:False humility is more insulting than open pride! ~ Brandon Mull, #NFDB
88:Humility, after the first shock, is cheerful virtue. ~ C S Lewis, #NFDB
89:Humility and full consciousness are inseparable. ~ Bryant McGill, #NFDB
90:Humility is considered an un-masculine quality. ~ David Duchovny, #NFDB
91:Humility saves man: pride makes him lose his way. ~ Pope Francis, #NFDB
92:It's all about humanity, humility, and integrity. ~ Debra Wilson, #NFDB
93:Love teaches you humility—patience—understanding. ~ Charles Todd, #NFDB
94:Without humility, all spiritual progress stops. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
95:False humility is better than no humility at all. ~ Paul Krassner, #NFDB
96:Humility is no substitute for a good personality. ~ Fran Lebowitz, #NFDB
97:Pride makes us artificial; humility makes us real ~ Thomas Merton, #NFDB
98:The first product of self-knowledge is humility, ~ Cheryl Strayed, #NFDB
99:Compassion directed toward oneself is true humility. ~ Simone Weil, #NFDB
100:Have the humility to learn from those around you. ~ John C Maxwell, #NFDB
101:Humility and full consciousness are inseparable. ~ Bryant H McGill, #NFDB
102:Humility is not weakness, but strength under control ~ A R Bernard, #NFDB
103:Humility is the mark of a genuine disciple. ~ Saint Thomas Aquinas, #NFDB
104:The secret of life lies in laughter and humility. ~ G K Chesterton, #NFDB
105:A vale of humility between two mountains of conceit. ~ Tony Horwitz, #NFDB
106:Humility is not a trait I often associate with America. ~ Mira Nair, #NFDB
107:Humility is the mark of a genuine disciple. ~ Saint Thomas Aquinas, #NFDB
108:I feel coming on a strange disease - humility. ~ Frank Lloyd Wright, #NFDB
109:Knowledge cannot be attained except through humility. ~ Idries Shah, #NFDB
110:Learning is the very essence of humility . . . ~ Jiddu Krishnamurti, #NFDB
111:Vanity is a mark of humility rather than of pride. ~ Jonathan Swift, #NFDB
112:Accepting things as they are is true humility. ~ Sri Ramana Maharshi, #NFDB
113:Sense shines with double lustre when set in humility. ~ William Penn, #NFDB
114:Speaking absolutely, humility excels virginity. ~ Thomas the Apostle, #NFDB
115:The first product of self-knowledge is humility. ~ Flannery O Connor, #NFDB
116:By bringing nature into our lives, we invite humility. ~ Richard Louv, #NFDB
117:Humility is a virtue Scotsmen require to be taught. ~ Dorothy Dunnett, #NFDB
118:humility is the first and greatest of virtues. ~ Doris Kearns Goodwin, #NFDB
119:Humility is the only thing that no devil can imitate. ~ John Climacus, #NFDB
120:Humility is the worst form of conceit. ~ Francois de La Rochefoucauld, #NFDB
121:Humility leads to an open mind and a forgiving heart. ~ Eric Greitens, #NFDB
122:Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real. ~ Thomas Merton, #NFDB
123:Service without humility is selfishness and egotism. ~ Mahatma Gandhi, #NFDB
124:The “gift” of tragedy is not destruction, but humility ~ James Hollis, #NFDB
125:The oars game me power but also taught me humility. ~ Barry S Strauss, #NFDB
126:With humor and humility you can withstand anything. ~ Shannon L Alder, #NFDB
127:An actor should always let humility outweigh ambition. ~ Anna Kendrick, #NFDB
128:Comedy - and I say this with humility - comedy needs me. ~ Joan Rivers, #NFDB
129:Humility and self-restraint is the True Objective of Kenpo ~ Ed Parker, #NFDB
130:Humility is first, second and third in Christianity. ~ Saint Augustine, #NFDB
131:Humility is losing yourself in the doing of serving. ~ James MacDonald, #NFDB
132:Humility is to make a right estimate of one's self. ~ Charles Spurgeon, #NFDB
133:I have sounded the very base-string of humility. ~ William Shakespeare, #NFDB
134:Imagination takes humility, love and great courage. ~ Carson McCullers, #NFDB
135:Sarcasm doesn't grow on the same stalk as humility. ~ Elizabeth Goudge, #NFDB
136:Walking is the exact balance between spirit and humility. ~ Gary Snyder, #NFDB
137:You cannot attain to charity except through humility. ~ Saint Augustine, #NFDB
138:Humility is, in a sense, admitting how egotistical you are. ~ Criss Jami, #NFDB
139:I think being vulnerable paves the way for humility. ~ Jonathan Sadowski, #NFDB
140:Never curse a fall. The ground is where humility lives. ~ Yasmin Mogahed, #NFDB
141:Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility. ~ Jane Austen, #NFDB
142:True humility means total dependence on God for everything. ~ T B Joshua, #NFDB
143:Truth without humility would be an arrogant caricature. ~ Mahatma Gandhi, #NFDB
144:Humility is a virtue, and it is a virtue innate in guests. ~ Max Beerbohm, #NFDB
145:Humility is constant forgetfulness of one's achievements. ~ John Climacus, #NFDB
146:Humility like darkness reveals the heavenly lights. ~ Henry David Thoreau, #NFDB
147:Humility with energy is often mistaken for pride. ~ Johann Kaspar Lavater, #NFDB
148:If you have humility you are halfway to God-realization. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
149:No one reaches the kingdom of Heaven except by humility ~ Saint Augustine, #NFDB
150:Pride builds walls between people; humility builds bridges. ~ Rick Warren, #NFDB
151:True humility is a flower which will adorn any garden. ~ Charles Spurgeon, #NFDB
152:A dose of humility goes a long way in life and in politics. ~ Ron Fournier, #NFDB
153:Astronomy, as nothing else can do, teaches men humility. ~ Arthur C Clarke, #NFDB
154:Humility is a flower which does not grow in everyone's garden. ~ Aristotle, #NFDB
155:Humility is to make a right estimate of oneself. ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon, #NFDB
156:I've met some people who were very proud of their humility. ~ Michael Catt, #NFDB
157:pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
158:Empowerment is the algebraic outcome of curiosity and humility. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
159:Hard work and humility are essential for spiritual sadhana. ~ B K S Iyengar, #NFDB
160:Humility is essential greatness, the inside of grandeur. ~ George MacDonald, #NFDB
161:The churches must learn humility as well as teach it. ~ George Bernard Shaw, #NFDB
162:Humility is the time that you spend in love with existence. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
163:The first degree of humility is prompt obedience. ~ Saint Benedict of Nursia, #NFDB
164:We learn humility through accepting humiliations cheerfully. ~ Mother Teresa, #NFDB
165:We must not confuse humility with false modesty or servility. ~ Paulo Coelho, #NFDB
166:A man is never so proud as when striking an attitude of humility. ~ C S Lewis, #NFDB
167:humility comes before honor and a haughty spirit before a fall. ~ John Bunyan, #NFDB
168:Humility in furs is better than pride in tunics. ~ Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, #NFDB
169:Humility is the proper estimate of oneself.” CHARLES SPURGEON ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
170:Humility is to make a right estimate of one’s self. ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon, #NFDB
171:I will not through humility become the devil's attorney ~ Henry David Thoreau, #NFDB
172:Let us preach grace till humility just starts to grow in us. ~ Timothy Keller, #NFDB
173:Obedience to the word in humility of mind never confuses. ~ John Nelson Darby, #NFDB
174:Pride perceiving humility honorable, often borrows her cloak. ~ Thomas Fuller, #NFDB
175:True humility is more like self-forgetfulness than false modesty. ~ C S Lewis, #NFDB
176:We must in strength and humility meet hate with love. ~ Martin Luther King Jr, #NFDB
177:A book tour is, first and foremost, an exercise in humility. ~ Alice McDermott, #NFDB
178:Humility is probably the most difficult virtue to realize. ~ Thomas Yellowtail, #NFDB
179:Humility is so shy. If you begin talking about it, it leaves. ~ Timothy Keller, #NFDB
180:Humility means accepting reality with no attempt to outsmart it. ~ David Richo, #NFDB
181:I'm coming from a place of total strength and humility now. ~ Robert Downey Jr, #NFDB
182:I'm so humble it's crazy. I'm like the Kanye West of humility. ~ Anna Kendrick, #NFDB
183:True humility scarcely ever utters words of humility. ~ Saint Francis de Sales, #NFDB
184:A man who knows what it is to have humility is a vain man. ~ Jiddu Krishnamurti, #NFDB
185:deep humility. There is nothing the arrogant hate more. ~ Stephen Harrod Buhner, #NFDB
186:God hath sworn to lift on high Who sinks himself by true humility. ~ John Keble, #NFDB
187:Humility, if it comes at all, almost always comes too late. ~ Stephen R Lawhead, #NFDB
188:Humility is really important because it keeps you fresh and new. ~ Steven Tyler, #NFDB
189:I believe the first test of a truly great man is in his humility. ~ John Ruskin, #NFDB
190:I'm grateful for my brokenness. I'm grateful for my humility. ~ James McGreevey, #NFDB
191:industry, compassion, humility, patience, honesty and courage. ~ Robin S Sharma, #NFDB
192:The only way you will advance spiritually is through humility. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
193:There is something in humility which strangely exalts the heart. ~ Jeff Wheeler, #NFDB
194:You can't govern without loving the people and without humility! ~ Pope Francis, #NFDB
195:Don't kill the game with your 'funk', elevate it with your humility. ~ T F Hodge, #NFDB
196:False humility is thinly veiled ego disguised as self confidence. ~ Dov Davidoff, #NFDB
197:History, well read, is simply humility well told, in many manners. ~ Adam Gopnik, #NFDB
198:Humility is so shy. If you begin talking about it, it leaves. ~ Timothy J Keller, #NFDB
199:Humility is the displacement of self by the enthronement of God. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
200:Iris Murdoch defined humility as a “selfless respect for reality. ~ Joan Halifax, #NFDB
201:It is impossible without humility to enjoy anything—even pride. ~ G K Chesterton, #NFDB
202:The world can be better if there's love, tolerance and humility. ~ Irena Sendler, #NFDB
203:The x factor of a great leader is humility combined with will. ~ James C Collins, #NFDB
204:True humility is a flower which will adorn any garden. ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon, #NFDB
205:Yogi Berra reportedly said, “It’s not the heat, it’s the humility. ~ Paul Levine, #NFDB
206:Your life is pure joy, pure ecstasy, when you live in humility. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
207:Have we the humility to thank our Father for the gift of pain? ~ Elisabeth Elliot, #NFDB
208:Humility is courage, the open acceptance of your own perfection. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
209:Humility is measured by how quickly you can admit that you are wrong. ~ Eric Ludy, #NFDB
210:Humility makes us ready to be blessed by the God of all grace. ~ Charles Spurgeon, #NFDB
211:humility must not be equated to mediocrity and cowardice ~ Ernest Agyemang Yeboah, #NFDB
212:If you start with humility, you see every person as your teacher. ~ Eric Greitens, #NFDB
213:Meditation is humility - the absence of thought, doubt, and ego. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
214:The invincible weapon against all our enemies is humility. ~ Theophan the Recluse, #NFDB
215:The path marked Humility will take you to the manger of the Messiah. ~ Max Lucado, #NFDB
216:The proud man can learn humility, but he will be proud of it. ~ Mignon McLaughlin, #NFDB
217:We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility. ~ Rabindranath Tagore, #NFDB
218:Humility and patience are the surest proofs of the increase of love. ~ John Wesley, #NFDB
219:Humility is not disgraceful, and carries no loss of true pride. ~ Ernest Hemingway, #NFDB
220:It is impossible without humility to enjoy anything - even pride. ~ G K Chesterton, #NFDB
221:It takes true courage and real humility to say NO or YES! ~ Ernest Agyemang Yeboah, #NFDB
222:Knowledge of God and knowlegde of self give birth to humility. ~ Joan D Chittister, #NFDB
223:Only humility will lead us to unity, and unity will lead to peace. ~ Mother Teresa, #NFDB
224:The indispensible judicial requisite is intellectual humility. ~ Felix Frankfurter, #NFDB
225:When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
226:Faith gets the most; love works the most; but humility keeps the most. ~ R A Torrey, #NFDB
227:Humility and self-effacement ... get a person [little] in this life. ~ Daniel Keyes, #NFDB
228:Humility before God is nothing if not proved in humility before men ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
229:Humility is the ultimate standard of greatness in the Kingdom of God. ~ Mike Bickle, #NFDB
230:Humility, which is a virtue, is always fruitful in good works. ~ Thomas the Apostle, #NFDB
231:Nothing can be further apart than true humility and servility. ~ Henry Ward Beecher, #NFDB
232:We love those people who give with humility, or who accept with ease. ~ Freya Stark, #NFDB
233:Beginning of all knowledge comes from humility. ~ A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, #NFDB
234:Humility and Gratitude are the twin characteristics of happiness. ~ Richard C Edgley, #NFDB
235:Humility is not a virtue in a writer, it is an absolute necessity. ~ James Lee Burke, #NFDB
236:Humility is not thinking less of myself, but thinking about myself less. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
237:I think people would be surprised by his [Alessandro Michele] humility. ~ Jared Leto, #NFDB
238:It is impossible without humility to enjoy anything—even pride. But ~ G K Chesterton, #NFDB
239:Pride first, then the crash, but humility is precursor to honor. ~ Eugene H Peterson, #NFDB
240:There's a different kind of beauty that comes with humility and honesty ~ Kiera Cass, #NFDB
241:Holy Purity is granted by God when it is asked for with humility. ~ Josemaria Escriva, #NFDB
242:Humility is a teacher of itself. It is learnt by means of its practise. ~ Idries Shah, #NFDB
243:I learned a lot about humility and patience, keeping my mouth shut. ~ Madonna Ciccone, #NFDB
244:Insecurity was never humility; just as arrogance was never success. ~ Shannon L Alder, #NFDB
245:My likeness to Jesus must be through suffering and humility. ~ Mary Faustina Kowalska, #NFDB
246:Obedience is the burial of the will and the resurrection of humility. ~ John Climacus, #NFDB
247:There is no respect for others without humility in one's self. ~ Henri Frederic Amiel, #NFDB
248:A selfless leader is one that models grace and humility day in and day out ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
249:A true hero protects his identiy, not out of fear, but out of humility. ~ Jessica Jung, #NFDB
250:Heart and humor and humility, he said will lighten up your heavy load. ~ Joni Mitchell, #NFDB
251:Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but lying. ~ Saint Vincent de Paul, #NFDB
252:Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It's thinking of yourself less. ~ C S Lewis, #NFDB
253:Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less. ~ C S Lewis, #NFDB
254:I have no use for humility. I am a fellow with an exceptional talent. ~ Jackie Gleason, #NFDB
255:In success be moderate. Humility makes great men twice honourable. ~ Benjamin Franklin, #NFDB
256:... It is humility which has access to the highest regions. ~ Saint Augustine of Hippo, #NFDB
257:It was a typical point, made in typical style, mixing pride and humility. ~ H W Brands, #NFDB
258:My very first art teacher told me that there’s greatness in humility. ~ Deborah Bladon, #NFDB
259:Nothing is more scandalous than a man that is proud of his humility. ~ Marcus Aurelius, #NFDB
260:Nothing sets a person so much out of the devil's reach as humility. ~ Jonathan Edwards, #NFDB
261:The difference between a good leader and a great leader is humility. ~ James C Collins, #NFDB
262:The knowledge of how little you can do alone teaches you humility. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt, #NFDB
263:The language of love is the language of humility or humbleness. ~ Mata Amritanandamayi, #NFDB
264:True humility doesn't kill our dreams; it provides a guardrail for them. ~ Dave Harvey, #NFDB
265:a refusal to make moral judgments is not humility. It is insanity. ~ R Albert Mohler Jr, #NFDB
266:God is better disposed towards those who feign the right humility. ~ Adrian Tchaikovsky, #NFDB
267:Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but lying. ~ Saint Vincent de Paul, #NFDB
268:Humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
269:Humility is simply accepting the reality of who God is and who you are. ~ John Townsend, #NFDB
270:Humility is the marriage bond of Heaven. Pride is the frigidity of Hell. ~ Peter Kreeft, #NFDB
271:Humility is what you strive for when you've failed at everything else. ~ Stephan Pastis, #NFDB
272:In humility, there is faith. When there is faith, there is no fear. ~ Devdutt Pattanaik, #NFDB
273:The Bible reminds us that on the other side of humility we find wisdom ~ Lysa TerKeurst, #NFDB
274:Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less. ~ Rick Warren, #NFDB
275:Humility makes us ready to be blessed by the God of all grace. ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon, #NFDB
276:It is impossible without humility to enjoy anything - even pride. ~ Gilbert K Chesterton, #NFDB
277:Surrender is not a weakness, but rather an empowering state of humility. ~ Bryant McGill, #NFDB
278:Those whom God designs for preferment he clothes with humility; the most ~ Matthew Henry, #NFDB
279:Ego, being love's kryptonite; two souls must be on the same page of humility. ~ T F Hodge, #NFDB
280:Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, of honesty, but humility. ~ Nelson Mandela, #NFDB
281:Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. ~ Rick Warren, #NFDB
282:Humility means you're willing to give someone a bigger slice of the pie. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
283:Humility raises us not by human arrogance but by divine grace. ~ Saint Augustine of Hippo, #NFDB
284:Knowledge is courage; understanding brings calmness and humility ~ Ernest Agyemang Yeboah, #NFDB
285:listen with humility and accept with an open heart all that our brothers say. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
286:May I deal with honour
May I act with courage
May I achieve humility ~ Dick Francis,#NFDB
287:Satan's number one weapon is pride. God's number one defense is humility. ~ Larry Burkett, #NFDB
288:Success is born out of arrogance, but greatness comes from humility. ~ Marco Pierre White, #NFDB
289:True love is quiescent, except in the nascent moments of true humility. ~ Bryant H McGill, #NFDB
290:You just don't understand humility until you have children and get divorced. ~ Val Kilmer, #NFDB
291:Let us be humble and keep ourselves down: - Obedience! Humility! Detachment! ~ Philip Neri, #NFDB
292:When there's nothing but humility, there's nothing but spiritual oneness. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
293:Conceit is a sure sign of insecurity; humility denotes awareness. ~ Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, #NFDB
294:Humility isn't thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. ~ Patrick Lencioni, #NFDB
295:I warn people, your 40s will require massive amounts of humor and humility. ~ Henry Rollins, #NFDB
296:Nothing sets a Christian so much out of the devil's reach than humility. ~ Jonathan Edwards, #NFDB
297:Pride goeth before destruction, but before honour is humility. ~ Proverbs XVI. 18: XVII. 12, #NFDB
298:Racing ultras requires absolute confidence tempered with intense humility. To ~ Scott Jurek, #NFDB
299:Real humility is graceful power, not a mandate to be victimized and abused. ~ Bryant McGill, #NFDB
300:self-confidence should always ride side by side with a strong sense of humility. ~ Xenophon, #NFDB
301:The ego seeks fame and fortune. Humility doesn't seek at all - it accepts. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
302:...If humility does not precede all that we do, our efforts are fruitless. ~ Saint Augustine, #NFDB
303:If pain doesn't lead to humility, you have wasted your suffering. ~ Katerina Stoykova Klemer, #NFDB
304:Perhaps elements like tenacity and humility combine to form a heroic compound. ~ Brad Herzog, #NFDB
305:True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. ~ C S Lewis, #NFDB
306:For most leaders, humility comes only by wounds suffered from foolish falls. ~ Dan B Allender, #NFDB
307:Humility and pride will forever battle whenever or wherever love is concerned ~ Jeremy Aldana, #NFDB
308:Humility is the conscious awareness and acceptance of eternity as your body. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
309:Pride changes angels into devils, humility makes man into angels. ~ Saint Augustine of Hippo, #NFDB
310:The personal interiorization of the practice of humiliation is called humility. ~ Kathy Acker, #NFDB
311:To the extent we behave with humility, to that extent good will result. ~ Sri Ramana Maharshi, #NFDB
312:33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
313:Humility is the virtue that requires the greatest amount of effort. ~ Rose Philippine Duchesne, #NFDB
314:Let gratitude be awakened; let humility be deepened; let love be quickened. ~ Charles Spurgeon, #NFDB
315:Love begets courage, moderation creates abundance and humility generates power ~ B K S Iyengar, #NFDB
316:Proverbs 15:33 33 Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
317:Strength, confidence, humility and love. Hector Ricardo's four tenets of life. ~ Pittacus Lore, #NFDB
318:Those who travel the high road of humility are not troubled by heavy traffic. ~ Alan K Simpson, #NFDB
319:True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. ~ Rick Warren, #NFDB
320:Until you have suffered much in your heart, you cannot learn humility. ~ Thaddeus of Vitovnica, #NFDB
321:When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 ~ Beth Moore, #NFDB
322:When we see the faults of others, we are to forgive and forbear in humility. ~ James MacDonald, #NFDB
323:wisdom begins with the humility to say there’s a great deal I don’t understand. ~ Randy Alcorn, #NFDB
324:2to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
325:Humility is a do thing, not a feel thing. Humility is an action, not a style. ~ James MacDonald, #NFDB
326:Humility is simply the disposition which prepares the soul for living on trust. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
327:Humility is the key to finishing well and passing the torch on to our successors. ~ Hans Finzel, #NFDB
328:Humility, never me; it is a characteristic I expect to find in other people. ~ Elizabeth Taylor, #NFDB
329:If humility is always desirable, generous humility is still more so. ~ Rose Philippine Duchesne, #NFDB
330:Love begets courage, moderation creates abundance and humility generates power. ~ B K S Iyengar, #NFDB
331:The people that I admire have a wonderful balance of self-belief and humility. ~ Mahershala Ali, #NFDB
332:Humility is nothing but the disappearance of self in the vision that God is all. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
333:Humility is the prize of the leaf-world. Vain-glory is the bane of us, the humans. ~ Mary Oliver, #NFDB
334:It pays to know humility, lest the delusion of control, of mastery, overwhelms. ~ Steven Erikson, #NFDB
335:Real humility is not about denying the gifts you are offered; it is accepting them. ~ Alan Cohen, #NFDB
336:The vanity of the selfless, even those who practice utmost humility, is boundless. ~ Eric Hoffer, #NFDB
337:Value the wisdom of humility, as well as the sense of perspective it gives you. ~ Chris Hadfield, #NFDB
338:What the world needs is more geniuses with humility, there are so few of us left. ~ Oscar Levant, #NFDB
339:What the world needs is more geniuses with humility; there are so few of us left. ~ Oscar Levant, #NFDB
340:33. The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
341:Humility and knowledge in poor clothes excel pride and ignorance in costly attire. ~ William Penn, #NFDB
342:Humility is a fantastic trait and is one of the most important things we can have ~ Dennis Prager, #NFDB
343:Humility means that you have the courage to accept that you are eternity itself. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
344:If success attend me, grant me humility; If failure, resignation to Thy will. ~ David Livingstone, #NFDB
345:In peace there's nothing so becomes a man as modest stillness and humility. ~ William Shakespeare, #NFDB
346:Your heart is the center of humility, your mind could be the source of arrogance. ~ Tariq Ramadan, #NFDB
347:And the Devil did grin, for his darling sin is pride that apes humility. ~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge, #NFDB
348:Discard yourself and thereby regain yourself. Spread the trap of humility and ensnare love. ~ Rumi, #NFDB
349:Few men speak humbly of humility, chastely of chastity, skeptically of skepticism. ~ Blaise Pascal, #NFDB
350:Humility is not renunciation of pride but the substitution of one pride for another. ~ Eric Hoffer, #NFDB
351:If you have humility, you are willing to undertake anything to spread the dharma. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
352:Selflessness. Humility. Truthfulness. These are the three marks of an honorable man. ~ Suzy Kassem, #NFDB
353:Superficial knowledge breeds arrogance; true knowledge induces humility. ~ Abu Ammaar Yasir Qadhi, #NFDB
354:The fruit of love's great tree is poverty; Whoever knows this knows humility. ~ Farid al Din Attar, #NFDB
355:There’s nothing more insufferable than people who boast about their own humility ~ Marcus Aurelius, #NFDB
356:True humility is a kind of self-annihilation; and this is the centre of all virtues. ~ John Wesley, #NFDB
357:Without humility you can't love. Love means looking beyond the self to the other. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
358:All streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are. Humility gives it its power. ~ Laozi, #NFDB
359:Humility does not mean to think yourself less, but to less think of yourself. ~ Bhakti Tirtha Swami, #NFDB
360:Humility is a virtue all preach, none practice; and yet everybody is content to hear. ~ John Selden, #NFDB
361:Humility is often a false front we employ to gain power over others. ~ Francois de La Rochefoucauld, #NFDB
362:Humility is patient because it is neither past nor forward seeking — it is content. ~ Bryant McGill, #NFDB
363:Humility is something we should constantly pray for, yet never thank God that we have. ~ M R DeHaan, #NFDB
364:Never be proud but show humility towards others, true wisdom lies in being humble. ~ Shri Radhe Maa, #NFDB
365:The three most important virtues are humility, humility, and humility. ~ Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, #NFDB
366:What am I to learn?” puts you in a position of humility and authority in any instance. ~ Paul Selig, #NFDB
367:as a leader, you have to have the humility to understand that your power is limited. ~ Eric Greitens, #NFDB
368:For there is no obedience without humility, nor humility without charity. ~ Saint Catherine of Siena, #NFDB
369:I saw that we're all doing the best we can. This is how a lifetime of humility begins. ~ Byron Katie, #NFDB
370:Learning is impossible without humility. We encourage confidence, not cockiness. ~ Patrick Van Horne, #NFDB
371:Our Father, grant us humility, that in our lowliness we behold your exalted grace. Amen. ~ Chad Bird, #NFDB
372:Pride works frequently under a dense mask, and will often assume the garb of humility. ~ Adam Clarke, #NFDB
373:Repentance lifts a man up. Mourning knocks at heaven's gate. Holy humility opens it. ~ John Climacus, #NFDB
374:Three of our core corporate values are inclusiveness, collaboration, and humility. ~ Scott D Anthony, #NFDB
375:When someone offends me, I think it’s a gift from Allah (god). He (Allah) is teaching me humility. ~, #NFDB
376:Extremes meet, and there is no better example than the naughtiness of humility. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, #NFDB
377:Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness. ~ C J Mahaney, #NFDB
378:Humility is the embarrassment you feel when you tell people how wonderful you are. ~ Laurence J Peter, #NFDB
379:The only wisdom we can hope to acquire
Is the wisdom of humility: humility is endless. ~ T S Eliot,#NFDB
380:There is no knowing for a fact. The only dependable things are humility and looking. ~ Richard Powers, #NFDB
381:UGLINESS, n. A gift of the gods to certain women, entailing virtue without humility. ~ Ambrose Bierce, #NFDB
382:Heights of the spirit can only be climbed by passing through the portals of humility. ~ Rudolf Steiner, #NFDB
383:How can there be pride in a contrite heart? Humility is the earliest fruit of religion. ~ Hosea Ballou, #NFDB
384:If arrogance is the heady wine of youth, then humility must be its eternal hangover. ~ Helen Van Slyke, #NFDB
385:The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and k humility comes before honor. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
386:True greatness demands humility; the journey draws it from your struggling soul. ~ Richelle E Goodrich, #NFDB
387:Ugliness, n.: A gift of the gods to certain women, entailing virtue without humility. ~ Ambrose Bierce, #NFDB
388:Attitude is an accurate monitor of where we fall on the spectrum of pride and humility. ~ Erwin McManus, #NFDB
389:Discourses on humility are a source of pride in the vain and of humility in the humble. ~ Blaise Pascal, #NFDB
390:Humility and purity are the wings which carry us to God and make us almost divine. ~ Pio of Pietrelcina, #NFDB
391:Humility does not mean you think less of yourself. It means you think of yourself less. ~ Ken Blanchard, #NFDB
392:Humility is just as much the opposite of self-abasement as it is of self-exaltation. ~ Dag Hammarskjold, #NFDB
393:Humility is my best friend, I've always valued it above all other spiritual qualities. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
394:The deeper the humility with which we conduct ourselves, the better it is for us. ~ Sri Ramana Maharshi, #NFDB
395:The most powerful tools of revolution through intention are humility and consciousness. ~ Bryant McGill, #NFDB
396:Voices are plentiful; followers are not. Strong opinions are applauded; humility is not. ~ Francis Chan, #NFDB
397:God loves us; we need only to summon up the humility to allow ourselves to be loved. ~ Pope Benedict XVI, #NFDB
398:Humility is not an exaggeratedly low opinion of yourself. Humility is self-forgetfulness. ~ Peter Kreeft, #NFDB
399:If you wish to cultivate humility, then you should associate with those who are humble. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
400:I love humility in a woman. It's so rare. With man, of course, it is practically extinct. ~ Ethel M Dell, #NFDB
401:It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels. ~ Saint Augustine, #NFDB
402:Knowing that we don't know it's humility; thinking that we know what we don't know, is sickness. ~ Laozi, #NFDB
403:One who understands splendor while holding to humility acts in accord with eternal power. ~ Wayne W Dyer, #NFDB
404:People with humility don't think less of themselves, they just think of themselves less. ~ Ken Blanchard, #NFDB
405:Saying of the Prophet
Humility
Humility and courtesy are themselves a part of piety. ~ Idries Shah,#NFDB
406:The wise humble themselves—
and because of their humility,
they are worthy of praise. ~ Lao Tzu,#NFDB
407:academics must maintain a delicate balance between necessary humility and the determination ~ Jean Tirole, #NFDB
408:Being business minded requires you to always approach things with humility and respect. ~ Strive Masiyiwa, #NFDB
409:Clarity and consistency are not enough: the quest for truth requires humility and effort. ~ Tariq Ramadan, #NFDB
410:Humility is even more pleasing in people in whom arrogance would be understandable. ~ Mokokoma Mokhonoana, #NFDB
411:Humility is not just declaring that you are not God. It is deciding daily to not be God. ~ Darrin Patrick, #NFDB
412:Humility is the doorway 2 truth & clarity of objectives... it's the doorway 2 learning. ~ Wynton Marsalis, #NFDB
413:Humility is the only thing that can restore a relationship, when respect has been lost. ~ Shannon L Alder, #NFDB
414:Humility makes our lives acceptable to God, meekness makes us acceptable to men. ~ Saint Francis de Sales, #NFDB
415:I'd rather be around broken people who have a degree of humility, and just get on with their work. ~ Moby, #NFDB
416:It is a fault, not a virtue, to wish your humility recognized and applauded. ~ Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, #NFDB
417:People with humility don’t think less of themselves; they just think of themselves less. ~ John C Maxwell, #NFDB
418:Pride will tell you, you don't need crutches, but humility is more powerful than pride. ~ Lorilyn Roberts, #NFDB
419:Recite your Rosary with faith, with humility, with confidence, and with perseverance. ~ Louis de Montfort, #NFDB
420:The first degree of humility is prompt obedience. ~ Saint Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, #NFDB
421:The most powerful tools of revolution through intention are humility and consciousness. ~ Bryant H McGill, #NFDB
422:The only wisdom we can hope to acquire Is the wisdom of humility.… —T. S. Eliot, East Coker ~ Dean Koontz, #NFDB
423:You cannot produce trust just like you cannot 'do' humility. It either is or is not. ~ William Paul Young, #NFDB
424:He had the arrogance of the believer, but none of the humility of the deeply religious. ~ V S Ramachandran, #NFDB
425:In democracy, people's verdict is always final and we all have to accept it with humility. ~ Narendra Modi, #NFDB
426:It is, indeed, a trial to maintain the virtue of humility when one can't help being right. ~ Judith Martin, #NFDB
427:It takes generosity to be the one teaching, and humility to be the one being taught. ~ Mokokoma Mokhonoana, #NFDB
428:Self-confident moralism promotes pride, and sanctification promotes humility and contrition. ~ John Murray, #NFDB
429:What you need is a fundamental humility - the belief that you can learn from anyone. ~ Clayton Christensen, #NFDB
430:You always have to measure your desires and goals against your ego and your humility. ~ Sebastian Copeland, #NFDB
431:Augustine wrote that humility is the source of all virtue, and pride the root of all evil. ~ Melvin R Starr, #NFDB
432:Humility rests upon the shores of your sorrows and blossoms upon the mountain of your faith ~ Jeremy Aldana, #NFDB
433:If you seek eternity and light and luminosity, seek humility first ... first things first. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
434:My name had been on those lips between laughs and tears and rage and humility. I turned my face ~ C D Reiss, #NFDB
435:Obedience is the road to freedom, humility the road to pleasure, unity the road to personality. ~ C S Lewis, #NFDB
436:Real genius is nothing else but the supernatural virtue of humility in the domain of thought. ~ Simone Weil, #NFDB
437:Religion in its humility restores man to his only dignity, the courage to live by grace. ~ George Santayana, #NFDB
438:Shame isn't bad, her voice from somewhere else insists. Nor the humility that is its gift. ~ William Trevor, #NFDB
439:Thus there will be three effects of nearness to Jesus humility, happiness, and holiness. ~ Charles Spurgeon, #NFDB
440:Worship means reverence and humility it means revering your real self and humbling delusions. ~ Bodhidharma, #NFDB
441:Accepting both the opportunity and the responsibility evokes a great deal of humility. ~ Carol Ann Tomlinson, #NFDB
442:But she’d learned the humility of scholars: that the more she knew, the more she did not know. ~ Sarah Perry, #NFDB
443:Give a man a car of his own and he leaves humility and common sense behind him in the garage. ~ John le Carr, #NFDB
444:He who wants to learn true humility should reflect upon the Passion of Jesus. (267) ~ Mary Faustina Kowalska, #NFDB
445:Humility accepts the very nature of a human being is complete, unadulterated, ecstatic joy. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
446:Humility simply means that you do a great job at everything and it isn't really a big deal. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
447:I believe humility is a virtue, but I prefer not to use it unless it is absolutely necessary. ~ Helen Keller, #NFDB
448:Jesus washing the disciples feet is the most supreme act of humility in all of God’s word. ~ James MacDonald, #NFDB
449:One way to appreciate C.S. Lewis is to see how his Christian humility shaped his life and work. ~ John Piper, #NFDB
450:Where God's Spirit does not reign, there is no humility, and men ever swell with inward pride. ~ John Calvin, #NFDB
451:As pride sometimes is hid under humility, idleness if often covered by turbulence and hurry. ~ Samuel Johnson, #NFDB
452:Give a man a car of his own and he leaves humility and common sense behind him in the garage. ~ John le Carre, #NFDB
453:God will snatch away the forgiveness which our repentance, humility, and obedience made possible. ~ Chad Bird, #NFDB
454:Humility comes from how you come at the world. Confidence comes from how you come at yourself. ~ Greg Jackson, #NFDB
455:Humility is indeed beatness, a compulsory virtue that no one exhibits unless he has to. ~ William S Burroughs, #NFDB
456:Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.
-Rick Warren ~ Rick Warren,#NFDB
457:Humility is throwing oneself away in complete concentration on something or someone else. ~ Madeleine L Engle, #NFDB
458:Influence requires humility. The essence of influence is others. The key word is relationships. ~ Johnny Hunt, #NFDB
459:Now that I have and I'm not a have-not, I've learned how important it is to maintain humility. ~ Shania Twain, #NFDB
460:The proper line, that of accepted scientific humility, was, “on the shoulders of giants, ~ Adrian Tchaikovsky, #NFDB
461:Those who lack humility are dogmatic and egotistical. That masks a deep sense of insecurity. ~ John C Maxwell, #NFDB
462:To get even near humility, even for a moment, is like a drink of cold water to a man in a desert. ~ C S Lewis, #NFDB
463:When humility is exercised, people begin to realise that they do not, as it were, exist at all. ~ Idries Shah, #NFDB
464:Appreciate, Let purpose inspire action, Learn with humility, Go beyond .. all in Here & Now. ~ Neena Verma, #NFDB
465:Both partners describe one of their own character flaws. Humility resolves self-righteousness. ~ Mark Goulston, #NFDB
466:Ever doubt that God answers your prayers? Pray (sincerely) for humility... and watch what happens. ~ Mark Hart, #NFDB
467:False humility is quite like the worst of both worlds: both that of Meekness and that of Conceit. ~ Criss Jami, #NFDB
468:False modesty is an attempt to tear yourself down. True humility focuses more on build up others. ~ Tony Dungy, #NFDB
469:Humility adds lessons to our pain and suffering, turning the seemingly senseless into meaning. ~ Bryant McGill, #NFDB
470:Humility is a great quality of leadership which derives respect and not just fear or hatred. ~ Yousef Munayyer, #NFDB
471:Humility is the key characteristic of a worship leader. Actually, the key for any great leader. ~ Chris Tomlin, #NFDB
472:It has truly been said that 'Humility is not so much a virtue as a necessity, in order to learn. ~ Idries Shah, #NFDB
473:It takes an enormous humility to die. The strange thing is that everyone turns out to have it! ~ Emil M Cioran, #NFDB
474:Self-confidence may be mistaken for egotism if it is not accompanied by humility of the heart. ~ Napoleon Hill, #NFDB
475:To be a preacher requires two apparently contradictory qualities: confidence and humility. ~ Timothy Radcliffe, #NFDB
476:3Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
477:Attitude is an accurate monitor of where we fall on the spectrum of pride and humility. ~ Erwin Raphael McManus, #NFDB
478:Evil and faults are corrected by good, by love, kindness, meekness, humility, and patience. ~ John of Kronstadt, #NFDB
479:Humility comes from understanding that the obstacles in front of you are not going to go away. ~ Sarah Ferguson, #NFDB
480:Humility forms the basis of honor, just as the low ground forms the foundation of a high elevation. ~ Bruce Lee, #NFDB
481:I cannot understand how humility exists, or can exist, without love, or love without humility, ~ Teresa of vila, #NFDB
482:It takes courage with true humility and steadfastness to win confidence and admiration ~ Ernest Agyemang Yeboah, #NFDB
483:The humility to recognize the truth that makes demands on me and that I do not choose for myself ~ Benedict XVI, #NFDB
484:When the humility of someone is undermined, whether I like it or not mine is undermined as well. ~ Desmond Tutu, #NFDB
485:by now, he is well acquainted with humility. It is the one piece of luggage he has not lost. ~ Andrew Sean Greer, #NFDB
486:Economics teaches humility because it teaches us more about what we can't do than what we can do ~ Peter Boettke, #NFDB
487:I thought the fear of the Lord was the beginning of wisdom."
"It's the same thing. Humility. ~ Harper Lee,#NFDB
488:I will seek out, in modesty and humility, but incessantly and vigorously, those who love truth. ~ John A Widtsoe, #NFDB
489:Modern science has been a voyage into the unknown, with a lesson in humility waiting at every stop. ~ Carl Sagan, #NFDB
490:Self-seeking, self-glory, that is not me. No. Many people say I embarrass them with my humility. ~ Peter Akinola, #NFDB
491:Uncertainty is a sign of humility, and humility is just the ability or the willingness to learn. ~ Charlie Sheen, #NFDB
492:We must first create within ourselves a true humility before we can know the liberating truth. We ~ Paul Brunton, #NFDB
493:What moves the soul through each death are the keys of humility, desire, choice and prayer. ~ Padma Aon Prakasha, #NFDB
494:Humility is an interesting virtue because if you don't have It, sooner or later it's given to you. ~ Nick Vujicic, #NFDB
495:Humility is an interesting virtue because if you don’t have it, sooner or later it’s given to you. ~ Nick Vujicic, #NFDB
496:Humility puts others first because "first" takes on new meaning through the practice of humility. ~ Bryant McGill, #NFDB
497:If you pair excellence with humility, people not only won’t run over you, they will respect you. ~ John C Maxwell, #NFDB
498:I like the humility that comes from being hated. Hopefully some humility and compassion comes out of that. ~ Moby, #NFDB
499:It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels. ~ Saint Augustine of Hippo, #NFDB
500:Pride and humility seem two sides of the same state—of taking oneself as an individual seriously. ~ Rodney Collin, #NFDB
501:Therefore the sage holds in his embrace the one thing (of humility), and manifests it to all the world. ~ Lao Tzu, #NFDB
502:But all they are asking is that we learn a little humility, a little respect for what we have. ~ Paul Antony Jones, #NFDB
503:But lessons only became lessons when one has reached the state of humility required to heed them. ~ Steven Erikson, #NFDB
504:Humility is the distinguishing virtue of the believer in freedom; arrogance, of the paternalist. ~ Milton Friedman, #NFDB
505:If you suffer in love, if you have problems in love, it's because you don't have enough humility. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
506:Only the one true God can take the risk of ruling by relying on the power of humility and love. ~ Stanley Hauerwas, #NFDB
507:Practice radical humility." He (or she)who masters the art of humility cannot be humiliated. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, #NFDB
508:We must view humility as one of the most essential things that characterizes true Christianity. ~ Jonathan Edwards, #NFDB
509:When someone offends me, I think it’s a gift from Allah (god). He (Allah) is teaching me humility. ~ Ibn Taymiyyah, #NFDB
510:And when our baby stirs and struggles to be born it compels humility: what we began is now its own. ~ Margaret Mead, #NFDB
511:Humility counts for much, but it may be that vanity does not dispossess that admirable quality. ~ Walter J Phillips, #NFDB
512:Humility is not cowardice. Meekness is not weakness. Humility and meekness are indeed spiritual powers. ~ Sivananda, #NFDB
513:Humility is recognizing the fullness of our sin, so we can embrace the fullness of God's mercy. ~ Alisa Hope Wagner, #NFDB
514:Humility is the altar upon which God wishes that we should offer Him His sacrifices. ~ Francois de La Rochefoucauld, #NFDB
515:It is only with total humility, and in absolute stillness of mind that we can know what indeed we are. ~ Wei Wu Wei, #NFDB
516:We prefer humility in others - and if we prefer it in others - we can soon prefer it in ourselves. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
517:A sarcastic person has a superiority complex that can be cured only by the honesty of humility. ~ Lawrence G Lovasik, #NFDB
518:Education has to cultivate humility and discipline, but today it is yielding a harvest of pride and envy. ~ Sai Baba, #NFDB
519:Humility exists only in those who are poor enough to see that they possess nothing of their own. ~ Angela of Foligno, #NFDB
520:Humility is not about having a low self-image or poor self-esteem. Humility is about self-awareness. ~ Erwin McManus, #NFDB
521:Practice radical humility." He (or she)who masters the art of humility cannot be humiliated... ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, #NFDB
522:The world tells us to seek success, power and money; God tells us to seek humility, service and love. ~ Pope Francis, #NFDB
523:Until you can leave the matter of forgiveness to God, you will not have acquired true humility. ~ Colleen McCullough, #NFDB
524:Humility is a virtue of self-understanding in context, acquired by the practice of other centeredness. ~ David Brooks, #NFDB
525:Humility isn’t a place of weakness but rather a position that will come with honor (Proverbs 18:12). ~ Lysa TerKeurst, #NFDB
526:In the intellectual order, the virtue of humility is nothing more nor less than the power of attention. ~ Simone Weil, #NFDB
527:Making people laugh is magic. I feel like if you have humility, then you can do anything in comedy. ~ Amanda Seyfried, #NFDB
528:Not being anxious requires a level of humility, doesn't it? It does, I think. It's not all about you. ~ Rupert Graves, #NFDB
529:Real humility knows how to slam a door closed and say no more. You can't be humble without self-love. ~ Bryant McGill, #NFDB
530:Reverence, humility, contentment, gratitude and hearing the good Dhamma, this is the best good luck. ~ Gautama Buddha, #NFDB
531:Sometimes we shrink from leadership because our pride makes us afraid of failure. That's not humility. ~ Francis Chan, #NFDB
532:The one true way of dying to self is the way of patience, meekness, humility, and resignation to God. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
533:Accept that you are that - you are the matchless, eternal reality. That's true seeing, true humility. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
534:A touch less ego and dash more humility will improve the quality of anything you turn your hand to. ~ Rasheed Ogunlaru, #NFDB
535:A true diva is graceful, and talented, and strong, and fearless and brave and someone with humility. ~ Beyonce Knowles, #NFDB
536:Humility is knowing that you can get an answer from anybody: be it a child, another person, or nature. ~ Tariq Ramadan, #NFDB
537:If you really have humility when you love, there is only one thought: "What can I do for my beloved?" ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
538:In reverent pauses, when we slow down and think about the gift of life, we may briefly touch humility. ~ Bryant McGill, #NFDB
539:Let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you. ~ Starhawk, #NFDB
540:Loving humility is marvelously strong, the strongest of all things, and there is nothing like it. ~ Fyodor Dostoyevsky, #NFDB
541:The more I practiced kindness and humility, the more the world seemed to appear friendly and manageable. ~ Noah Levine, #NFDB
542:The pleasures of humility are really the most refined, inward, and exquisite delights in the world. ~ Jonathan Edwards, #NFDB
543:True humility-the basis of the Christian system-is the low but deep and firm foundation of all virtues. ~ Edmund Burke, #NFDB
544:What is rare is not raw talent, skill, or even confidence, but humility, diligence, and self-awareness. ~ Ryan Holiday, #NFDB
545:With disadvantages enough to bring him to humility, a Scotsman is one of the proudest things alive. ~ Oliver Goldsmith, #NFDB
546:With every day that passes I am more convinced that the act of writing is a concious act of humility. ~ Roberto Bola o, #NFDB
547:Avery: "Humility is a virtue, Kismet."
Jill: "So's discretion. I suck at both. Didn't you notice? ~ Lilith Saintcrow,#NFDB
548:Do not become a disciple of one who praises himself, in case you learn pride instead of humility. ~ Mark the Evangelist, #NFDB
549:Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
550:Gratitude keeps your heart open. When you give with an open heart, you get the profound gift of humility. ~ Cami Walker, #NFDB
551:Great leaders don't need to act tough. Their confidence and humility serve to underscore their toughness. ~ Simon Sinek, #NFDB
552:It would be the height of absurdity to label ignorance tempered by humility "faith"! (Institutio III.2.3) ~ John Calvin, #NFDB
553:...talent means nothing, while experience, acquired in humility and with hard work, means everything. ~ Patrick S skind, #NFDB
554:...talent means nothing, while experience, acquired in humility and with hard work, means everything. ~ Patrick Suskind, #NFDB
555:We are all lone souls. It pays to know humility, lest the delusion of control, of mastery, overwhelms. ~ Steven Erikson, #NFDB
556:Almost every so called setback is an opportunity for growth, learning, self love, wisdom and humility ~ Rasheed Ogunlaru, #NFDB
557:Humility is, of all graces, the chiefest when it does not know itself to be a grace at all. ~ Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, #NFDB
558:Humility is the most underrated aspect of being an entrepreneur. Once your head gets too big, you’re cooked. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
559:In the eyes of the ego, self-esteem and humility are contradictory. In truth, they are one and the same. ~ Eckhart Tolle, #NFDB
560:Not to be occupied with thy sin, but to be occupied with God, brings deliverance from self. IX. Humility ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
561:Patience. Kindness. Generosity. Humility. Courtesy. Unselfishness. Good temper. Guilelessness. Sincerity. ~ Paulo Coelho, #NFDB
562:When ideas become gods, consciousness of harmony becomes devotion, humility, and hope. ~ Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel, #NFDB
563:About humility we speak with an analogy: When the branches are full of fruit, they just bow down. ~ Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, #NFDB
564:Dispassion and humility lead to spiritual knowledge. Without them no one will see the Lord. ~ Saint Maximus the Confessor, #NFDB
565:First, humiliation, then humility, he would have said. And then comes humanity as a matter of course. ~ Philip Jos Farmer, #NFDB
566:Humility can give everything to God. Everything comes from the source, everything returns to the source. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
567:Humility is the most important quality in the spiritual life. When it is lacking spiritual growth stops. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
568:Humility is the mother of all virtues, courage the father, integrity the child and wisdom the grandchild. ~ Stephen Covey, #NFDB
569:I see in Nature a magnificent structure... that must fill a thinking person with a feeling of humility. ~ Albert Einstein, #NFDB
570:It takes a special kind of humility to grasp that you know less, even as you know and grasp more and more. ~ Ryan Holiday, #NFDB
571:Perfection is impossible without humility. Why should I strive for perfection, if I am already good enough? ~ Leo Tolstoy, #NFDB
572:Pride and ego makes a mockery of an apology. Humility wins forgiveness without question...so break 'yo'self'! ~ T F Hodge, #NFDB
573:There's something satisfying to proclaiming humility while knowing just how important you truly are. ~ Michael R Fletcher, #NFDB
574:We must speak with all the humility that is appropriate to our limited vision, but we must speak. ~ Martin Luther King Jr, #NFDB
575:What is childlike humility? It’s not the lack of intelligence, but the lack of guile. The lack of an agenda. ~ Todd Burpo, #NFDB
576:He wanted and needed their love, but felt none towards them. He now had neither love nor humility nor purity ~ Leo Tolstoy, #NFDB
577:Humility is the mother of giants. One sees great things from the valley; only small things from the peak. ~ G K Chesterton, #NFDB
578:Humility is unaware of the division of the superior and the inferior, of the Master and the pupil. As ~ Jiddu Krishnamurti, #NFDB
579:Humility leads to the highest distinction, because it leads to self-improvement. ~ Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie 1st Baronet, #NFDB
580:If you want to be noble, it is rooted in humility; If you want to be elevated, it is based on lowering yourself. ~ Lao Tzu, #NFDB
581:I must play my role, great or small - that is humility, without self-importance, without self-indulgence. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
582:It would be the height of absurdity to label ignorance tempered by humility "faith"!
(Institutio III.2.3) ~ John Calvin,#NFDB
583:one of the habits of the truly powerful is that they have the humility to recognize the power in everyone. ~ Eric Greitens, #NFDB
584:Prayer, humility, and charity toward all are essential in the Christian life: they are the way to holiness. ~ Pope Francis, #NFDB
585:Real humility is something that no one else will see. No one will know about your humility, if it's real. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
586:Sri Gurubhyo Namah.’ Anyone who chants that with attention and humility is immediately blessed by Sri Guru Babaji. ~ Sri M, #NFDB
587:Steadfastness is a noble quality, but unguided by knowledge or humility, it becomes rashness, or obstinacy. ~ Aaron Swartz, #NFDB
588:To the connoisseur of scenes, nothing is more enjoyable than a thorough, melodramatic, egoistic humility. ~ Sinclair Lewis, #NFDB
589:We must listen and learn, show humility and seek again to talk for and to people's ambitions and concerns. ~ Johann Lamont, #NFDB
590:When you know you know nothing, an air of openness and humility prevails. Then real understanding enters the mind. ~ Mooji, #NFDB
591:Wonder and humility are wholesome emotions and they do not exist side by side with a lust for destruction. ~ Rachel Carson, #NFDB
592:Accept the limitations of a place, in humility, and the joys that can also be found there may open themselves. ~ Rod Dreher, #NFDB
593:Don’t nurture a sense of guilt; rather, nurture a sense of responsibility married with a sense of humility. ~ Tariq Ramadan, #NFDB
594:gratitude, humility, dedication, positivity, poise, focus, resilience, and an eagerness to continuously grow ~ Ben Bergeron, #NFDB
595:Humility is not a weak and timid quality; it must be carefully distinguished from a groveling spirit. ~ Edwin Hubbel Chapin, #NFDB
596:Humility is the flip side of giving God all the glory. Humility means reveling in his grace, not our goodness. ~ John Piper, #NFDB
597:If it is hard to accept a rebuke, even a private one, it is harder still to administer one in loving humility. ~ D A Carson, #NFDB
598:The balance between confidence and humility is best learned through extensive experience and mistakes. ~ Michael Steinhardt, #NFDB
599:An excess of simplicity, after all, was just another form of ostentation, and pride in one’s humility a sin. ~ Robert Harris, #NFDB
600:Humility, I have learned, must never be confused with meekness. Humility is being open to the ideas of others. ~ Simon Sinek, #NFDB
601:Humility is dependence on God as pride is independence of Him. The humble soul is always the thankful soul. ~ Fulton J Sheen, #NFDB
602:In diminishing his own preoccupation with himself, Lewis’s humility enabled him to see what was really valuable, ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
603:Loving humility is marvellously strong, the strongest of all things, and there is nothing else like it. ~ Fyodor Dostoyevsky, #NFDB
604:No activity I know is more of a confidence builder and at the same time more 'humility training' than wrestling. ~ Jim Leach, #NFDB
605:there is no reward for love except the experience of loving, and nothing to be learned by it except humility. ~ John le Carr, #NFDB
606:The whole of life is to spiritualize our activities by humility and faith, to silence our nature by charity. ~ Thomas Merton, #NFDB
607:You are the first person who you should treat with humility. Respect yourself and let it overflow to others. ~ Bryant McGill, #NFDB
608:And in self-giving we become really happy. Real humility is the expansion of our consciousness and our service. ~ Sri Chinmoy, #NFDB
609:Godly fear, faith, and humility is the true threefold cord that can’t easily be broken (see Ecclesiastes 4:12). ~ John Bevere, #NFDB
610:Humility before the flower at the timber line is the gate which gives access to the path up the open fell. ~ Dag Hammarskj ld, #NFDB
611:Humility before the flower at the timber line is the gate which gives access to the path up the open fell. ~ Dag Hammarskjold, #NFDB
612:Intellectual modesty is humility as to what I know; intellectual humility is modesty as to what I do not know ~ Tariq Ramadan, #NFDB
613:It takes humility to seek feedback. It takes wisdom to understand it, analyze it and appropriately act on it. ~ Stephen Covey, #NFDB
614:There is something about going to sea. A little bit of discipline, self-discipline and humility are required. ~ Prince Andrew, #NFDB
615:As we strive to teach others we must have the humility to acknowledge that we too still have much to learn. ~ Aung San Suu Kyi, #NFDB
616:But perhaps Rank is right and humility is an atonement for your great inner pride and knowingness about your self! ~ Ana s Nin, #NFDB
617:Humility consists in not esteeming ourselves above other men, and in not seeking to be esteemed above them. ~ Francis de Sales, #NFDB
618:Humility is not putting yourself down or denying your strengths; rather, it is being honest about your weaknesses. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
619:Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. Humility is thinking more of others. ~ Rick Warren, #NFDB
620:Nothing is ever final” is a lesson in humility; “no final judgment should be passed” is a promise of hope. The ~ Tariq Ramadan, #NFDB
621:The act of waitressing is a solace, it's got everything you could ask for - confusion, panic, humility, and food. ~ Eve Babitz, #NFDB
622:There was something about the man's abject humility that excited him in a way he could not have explained. ~ John Cowper Powys, #NFDB
623:The wise consider themselves “orphaned,” “widowed,” and “worthless.” Their humility is the source of their strength. ~ Lao Tzu, #NFDB
624:Humility is one of the strongest character traits you can ever have and will serve you far better than egoism. ~ Sawyer Bennett, #NFDB
625:Humility provides everyone, even him who despairs in solitude, with the strongest relationship to his fellow man. ~ Franz Kafka, #NFDB
626:If anyone would like to acquire humility, the first step is to realize one is proud. Nothing can be done before it. ~ C S Lewis, #NFDB
627:knowing your power
is what creates
humility.
not know your power
is what creates
insecurity. ~ Nayyirah Waheed,#NFDB
628:No leader lives a day without criticism, and humility will never be more on trial than when criticism comes. ~ J Oswald Sanders, #NFDB
629:One who has an inferiority complex can never be really humble, but can only have false modesty or false humility. ~ Sri Chinmoy, #NFDB
630:Sense shines with a double luster when it is set in humility. An able yet humble man is a jewel worth a kingdom. ~ William Penn, #NFDB
631:Success is one of the worst enemies of success, because success tends to breed complacency and lack of humility. ~ Charles Koch, #NFDB
632:Their humility stopped them from seeking fame or fortune because their love of country sparked their exploits. ~ Brian Kilmeade, #NFDB
633:For leaders, the humility to admit and own mistakes and develop a plan to overcome them is essential to success. ~ Jocko Willink, #NFDB
634:Humility is not an 'added extra,' one of the lesser Christian virtues. If you don't have humility, you may be lost. ~ Mark Dever, #NFDB
635:Humility is the most difficult of all virtues to achieve; nothing dies harder than the desire to think well of self. ~ T S Eliot, #NFDB
636:I know I'm not perfect & will never become. Yet, I'm proud of being Me, with all humility & imperfections. ~ Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, #NFDB
637:Practice radical humility when it comes to your own accomplishments, and give credit everywhere except to your ego. ~ Wayne Dyer, #NFDB
638:The whole purpose of religion is to facilitate love and compassion, patience, tolerance, humility, and forgiveness. ~ Dalai Lama, #NFDB
639:For true humility is, in a way, a very real despair: despair of myself, in order that I may hope entirely in You. ~ Thomas Merton, #NFDB
640:Humility doesn't mean hiding in the corner and pretending you are not strong. Humility means to be what you are. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
641:Humility is also a healing virtue; it will cicatrize a thousand wounds, which pride would keep forever open. ~ Washington Allston, #NFDB
642:Humility is the mother of giants. One sees great things from the valley; only small things from the peak. ~ G K Chesterton, [T5], #NFDB
643:If you were really humble you would be great, because humility would never squander the magnificent gift of life. ~ Bryant McGill, #NFDB
644:I had the habit of not accepting prizes or honors, but always, not out of humility, but because I don't like them. ~ Pope Francis, #NFDB
645:...most systems end up by making imagined humility into a form of vanity, so they end up with vanity just the same. ~ Idries Shah, #NFDB
646:Nothing is more deceitful,’ said Darcy, ‘than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, ~ Jane Austen, #NFDB
647:There is small chance of truth at the goal, where there is not childlike humility at the starting-post. ~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge, #NFDB
648:Yesterday you were gods. Today you are mortal. Your death is my gift to you. Accept it with grace and humility. ~ Neal Shusterman, #NFDB
649:But in Obama, I had also seen the humility to learn from others, which doesn’t often exist alongside overconfidence. ~ James Comey, #NFDB
650:Humility is simply believing and accepting what God says about us, and God says that we are anything but worthless. ~ Myles Munroe, #NFDB
651:Let us show great humility towards the peoples we wish to help, for we have very little to teach them. ~ Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, #NFDB
652:Love forces, at last, this humility: you cannot love if you cannot be loved, you cannot see if you cannot be seen. ~ James Baldwin, #NFDB
653:Real meditation engenders humility and purity, always. Yet I don't really think it demands any kind of lifestyle. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
654:Writing, for me, means humility. It’s a process that involves fear and doubt, especially if you’re writing honestly. ~ Kiran Desai, #NFDB
655:As patience leads to peace, and study to science, so are humiliations the path that leads to humility. ~ Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, #NFDB
656:Authority exercised with humility, and obedience accepted with delight are the very lines along which our spirits live. ~ C S Lewis, #NFDB
657:Humility means accepting reality with no attempt to outsmart it. -David Richo A rolling stone can gather no moss ~ Publilius Syrus, #NFDB
658:Leadership demands two kinds of courage: the strength to take a risk, and the humility to admit when a risk fails. ~ Jonathan Sacks, #NFDB
659:O be very sure That no man will learn anything at all, Unless he first will learn humility. ~ Edward Bulwer Lytton 1st Baron Lytton, #NFDB
660:Our humility before God has no value, except that it prepares us to reveal the humility of Jesus to our fellow men. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
661:the three elements of helpful evaluation are humility, forgiveness, and correction. None of these entail playing God. ~ Henry Cloud, #NFDB
662:Humility consists in not esteeming ourselves above other men, and in not seeking to be esteemed above them. ~ Saint Francis de Sales, #NFDB
663:Humility is a most excellent barometer," he said, "and ought to be looked for in all those we are made to look up to. ~ Alan Bradley, #NFDB
664:Humility is a most excellent barometer,” he said, “and ought to be looked for in all those we are made to look up to. ~ Alan Bradley, #NFDB
665:Humility is the soil in which mercy for others grows. Gratitude for mercy given is what motivates mercy extended. ~ Paul David Tripp, #NFDB
666:In the valley of humility they learned to quiet the self. Only by quieting the self could they see the world clearly. ~ David Brooks, #NFDB
667:I've striven my whole life for humility, but if I'd ever achieved it, I'd probably be pretty damn proud of that. ~ Benjamin Franklin, #NFDB
668:Mendel hated motorists. Give a man a car of his own and he leaves humility and common sense behind him in the garage. ~ John le Carr, #NFDB
669:"Some ask if lowering one's pride is conceding defeat. I think not. Humility is a sign of inner strength and wisdom." ~ Haemin Sunim, #NFDB
670:the more the tree goes up in the air, the more it goes down into the earth. Remember humility in greatness. ~ Ernest Agyemang Yeboah, #NFDB
671:There is something in humility which, strangely enough, exalts the heart, and something in pride which debases it. ~ Saint Augustine, #NFDB
672:Without humility, there can be no true dwelling in God’s presence or enjoying His favor and the power of His Spirit. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
673:12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
674:A man who has humility will have acquired in the last reaches of his beliefs the saving doubt of his own certainty. ~ Walter Lippmann, #NFDB
675:As gifts increase in you, let your humility grow, for you must consider that everything is given to you on loan. ~ Pio of Pietrelcina, #NFDB
676:Humility means knowing and using your strength for the benefit of others, on behalf of a higher purpose.” —ALAN ROSS ~ John C Maxwell, #NFDB
677:It is only on the condition of humility and reverence before the world that our species will be able to remain in it. ~ Wendell Berry, #NFDB
678:I watch 'Batman & Robin' from time to time. It's the worst movie I ever made, so it's a good lesson in humility. ~ George Clooney, #NFDB
679:Losing is a learning experience. It teaches you humility. It teaches you to work harder. It’s also a powerful motivator. ~ Yogi Berra, #NFDB
680:Pride is not the heritage of man; humility should dwell with frailty, and atone for ignorance, error, and imperfection. ~ Albert Pike, #NFDB
681:The tree laden with fruits is always a bit bent. Not because of any burden but because it has something to offer. Humility ~ Om Swami, #NFDB
682:The virtue of pride, which was once the beauty of mankind, has given place to that fount of ugliness, Christian humility. ~ Max Ernst, #NFDB
683:to understand the real reasons to uphold humility, know your real roots, remember death and study the masses ~ Ernest Agyemang Yeboah, #NFDB
684:Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
685:C. S. Lewis stated the distinction memorably: “Humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
686:He did wrong. He has acknowledged it before the people. He repents it. How many kings have the humility to do that? ~ Geraldine Brooks, #NFDB
687:Her desire to think well of herself had at least the element of humility that it always needed to be supported by proof. ~ Henry James, #NFDB
688:Humility, in its turn, can be achieved only through faith, fear of God, gentleness and the shedding of all possessions. ~ John Cassian, #NFDB
689:Humility must always be doing its work like a bee making honey in the hive: without humility all will be lost. ~ Saint Teresa of Avila, #NFDB
690:I have, let me confess it in all humility, a pitiful human wish that someone should know just how clever I have been ~ Agatha Christie, #NFDB
691:I try to hire people who will challenge and have the humility to be challenged - people who have basically good values. ~ Charles Koch, #NFDB
692:I want to be famous so I can be humble about being famous. What good is my humility when I am stuck in this obscurity? ~ David Budbill, #NFDB
693:Playing the game I have learned the meaning of humility. It has given me an understanding of futility of the human effort. ~ Abba Eban, #NFDB
694:The expansion of your own consciousness, love capacity, humility and compassion - this is the path; this is the way. ~ Bryant H McGill, #NFDB
695:The spirit of humility is sweeter than honey, and those who nourish themselves with this honey produce sweet fruit. ~ Anthony of Padua, #NFDB
696:true humility is when you can surprise yourself more than others; the rest is either shyness or good marketing ~ Nassim Nicholas Taleb, #NFDB
697:A humble person is more likely to be self confident... a person with real humility knows how much they are loved. ~ Cornelius Plantinga, #NFDB
698:History is the queen of the humanities. It teaches wisdom and humility, and it tells us how things change through time. ~ Gordon S Wood, #NFDB
699:Humility can’t be bought at a bargain price. It’s the long working of grace upon grace within the hurts of our hearts. ~ Lysa TerKeurst, #NFDB
700:Humility has tremendous power. Think of Gandhi. That was humility in action. He changed the shape of an entire nation. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
701:Humility is to make a right estimate of oneself. It is no humility for a man to think less of himself than he ought. ~ Charles Spurgeon, #NFDB
702:Humility means realizing that it's fun to give everything away, particularly the things that you are most attached to. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
703:Humility means that one should not be anxious to have the satisfaction of being honored by others. ~ A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, #NFDB
704:Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is the first duty of the creature, and the root of every good quality. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
705:If you aim for only wealth, beauty, fame, & power, you aim too low. Humility, gentleness, gratitude, & service is aiming high. ~ LeCrae, #NFDB
706:In prosperity, give thanks to God with humility and fear lest by pride you abuse God's benefits and so offend him. ~ Louis IX of France, #NFDB
707:It takes heroic charity and humility to let others sustain us when we are absolutely incapable of sustaining ourselves. ~ Thomas Merton, #NFDB
708:One is well served by a degree of both humility and charity when judging the inner working of another person's heart. ~ Khaled Hosseini, #NFDB
709:Part of humility means trusting God with our plans and submitting to the possibility that they will not be fulfilled. ~ Hannah Anderson, #NFDB
710:The basis of action on love, the brotherhood of all men, the value of the individual... the humility of the spirit. ~ Richard P Feynman, #NFDB
711:The battle against pride in the heart is lifelong, so humility should become an ever more deeply seated attitude of living ~ J I Packer, #NFDB
712:There is no shame in meeting a worthy opponent. It means there is more to learn, a welcome reminder to pursue humility. ~ Leigh Bardugo, #NFDB
713:True humility does not know that it is humble. If it did, it would be proud from the contemplation of so fine a virtue. ~ Martin Luther, #NFDB
714:True humility is when you can surprise yourself more than others; the rest is either shyness or good marketing. ~ Nassim Nicholas Taleb, #NFDB
715:When grace changes the heart, submission out of fear changes to submission out of love, and true humility is born. ~ William Hendriksen, #NFDB
716:Without humility of heart all the other virtues by which one runs toward God seem - and are - absolutely worthless. ~ Angela of Foligno, #NFDB
717:Beware of men with theories that explain everything. Trust those who approach the world with humility and cautious insight ~ Mark Bowden, #NFDB
718:Humility is the only soil in which virtue takes root; a lack of humility is the explanation of every defect and failure. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
719:It is only through the opposition of ideas that we can learn to be self-critical, to work towards intellectual humility. ~ Tariq Ramadan, #NFDB
720:One is well served by a degree of both humility and charity when judging the inner workings of another person's heart. ~ Khaled Hosseini, #NFDB
721:one is well served by a degree of both humility and charity when judging the inner workings of another person’s heart. ~ Khaled Hosseini, #NFDB
722:The act of divine worship is the inestimable privilege of man, the only created being who bows in humility and adoration. ~ Hosea Ballou, #NFDB
723:Therefore, let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you. ~ Doreen Valiente, #NFDB
724:The unanswerable mysteries... the attitude that all is uncertain... to summarize it - the humility of the intellect. ~ Richard P Feynman, #NFDB
725:What is the way out of shame?
It is the way of humility, not humiliation. It is the way of being known, not exposed. ~ Edward T Welch,#NFDB
726:You can't have pride without humility. Aggression without tolerance. Strength without compassion. Power without restraint. ~ D J MacHale, #NFDB
727:Beware of men with theories that explain everything. Trust those who approach the world with humility and cautious insight. ~ Mark Bowden, #NFDB
728:Good results is not an entitlement. It has to be earned and earned each individual working day via the lens of humility. ~ Howard Schultz, #NFDB
729:I always say be humble but be firm. Humility and openness are the key to success without compromising your beliefs. ~ George Hickenlooper, #NFDB
730:Nirvikalpa samadhi is another matter. In order to enter into nirvikalpa samadhi, you must have a great deal of humility. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
731:No, pos, de nada,” the Mexican said with the typical humility that has always bewildered my American need to take credit. ~ Erasmo Guerra, #NFDB
732:remember that though humility, without firmness, may be cowardly, yet courage without humility is presumptuous. ~ Marie Angelique Arnauld, #NFDB
733:True humility is not an abject, groveling, self-despising spirit; it is but a right estimate of ourselves as God sees us. ~ Tryon Edwards, #NFDB
734:When we become proud, we operate outside the grace God only gives to the humble. Humility preserves us; pride destroys us. ~ Randy Alcorn, #NFDB
735:humility is beyond our reach. if it were a product of reaching, we would instinctively be proud of reaching it. it is a gift. ~ John Piper, #NFDB
736:Humility is not weak, powerless, faint, a pushover, a punching bag or an abuse magnet, because above all — humility cares. ~ Bryant McGill, #NFDB
737:Humility means that you acknowledge you don’t know everything, and you might be especially confused when it comes to God. ~ Edward T Welch, #NFDB
738:It is good to be taught humility when we are young. If we do not exeperience pain as children, we will cause pain as adults. ~ Darren Shan, #NFDB
739:It is not my prayer and humility that you cause things to go as you wish, but by acquiring a knowledge of natural laws. ~ Bertrand Russell, #NFDB
740:Let us contemplate the humility of the Son of God born into poverty. Let us imitate him by sharing with those who are weak. ~ Pope Francis, #NFDB
741:The deepest repentance and humility and our own frailty and weakness must be realized before we can know God's strength. ~ Frank Bartleman, #NFDB
742:There is a fundamental humility to decentralization, an admission that headquarters does not have all the answers ~ William N Thorndike Jr, #NFDB
743:There is nothing that isn't perfect, the only reason we don't see that perfection constantly is because we lack humility. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
744:To be good critical thinkers requires intellectual humility and a healthy respect for the magnitude of what we don’t know. ~ Edward D Hess, #NFDB
745:Humility is the awareness that there’s a lot you don’t know and that a lot of what you think you know is distorted or wrong. ~ David Brooks, #NFDB
746:It’s probably possible to gain humility by means other than repeated humiliation, but repeated humiliation works very well. ~ Mark Vonnegut, #NFDB
747:I've managed to stay in a perpetual state of learning only by maintaining what I think of as a posture of ignorant humility. ~ Ellen Ullman, #NFDB
748:Join the community of saints and know the delight of your own Soul. Enter the ruins of your Heart and Learn the Meaning of Humility. ~ Rumi, #NFDB
749:May God teach us that our thoughts, words, and feelings concerning our fellow man are His test of our humility towards Him. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
750:the essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less. ~ Timothy J Keller, #NFDB
751:There are no friends more inseparable than pride and hardness of heart, humility and love, falsehood and impudence. ~ Johann Kaspar Lavater, #NFDB
752:There is more value in a little study of humility and in a single act of it than in all the knowledge in the world. ~ Saint Teresa of Avila, #NFDB
753:Whenever I'm around some who is modest, I think, 'Run like hell and all of fire.' You don't want modesty, you want humility. ~ Maya Angelou, #NFDB
754:Every day, no matter how you fight it, you learn a little more about yourself, and all most of it does is teach humility. ~ John D MacDonald, #NFDB
755:Humility exalteth man to the heaven of glory and power, whilst pride abaseth him to the depths of wretchedness and degradation. ~ Bah u ll h, #NFDB
756:If thou wilt receive profit, read with humility, simplicity and faith, and seek not at any time the fame of being learned. ~ Thomas a Kempis, #NFDB
757:In God's economy, nothing is wasted. Through failure, we learn a lesson in humility which is probably needed, painful though it is. ~ Bill W, #NFDB
758:In the life of earnest Christians who pursue and profess holiness, humility ought to be the chief mark of their uprightness. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
759:Success leads to the greatest failure, which is pride. Failure leads to the greatest success, which is humility and learning. ~ David Brooks, #NFDB
760:...the essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less. ~ Timothy Keller, #NFDB
761:The first step of humility is unhesitating obedience which comes naturally to those who cherish Christ above all. ~ Saint Benedict of Nursia, #NFDB
762:Beware of men with theories that explain everything. Trust those who approach the world with humility and cautious insight. The ~ Mark Bowden, #NFDB
763:For nonsense, as Chesterton liked to tell us, is a way of looking at existence that is akin to religious humility and wonder. ~ Lewis Carroll, #NFDB
764:I have, let me confess it in all humility, a pitiful human wish that someone should know just how clever I have been. . . . ~ Agatha Christie, #NFDB
765:I hope we can inaugurate a new humility in our use of religious language, which for me is the very proof that it is authentic. ~ Richard Rohr, #NFDB
766:In essence, you are neither inferior nor superior to anyone. True self-esteem and true humility arise out of that realization ~ Eckhart Tolle, #NFDB
767:Real excellence and humility are not incompatible one with the other, on the contrary they are twin sisters. ~ Jean Baptiste Henri Lacordaire, #NFDB
768:The Holy Spirit builds on the smooth ground of humility. That's why God will tear you down in order to build you back up. ~ Alisa Hope Wagner, #NFDB
769:True humility is absolute obedience and dependence on God. It puts Him first, others second, and ourselves third in all things. ~ John Bevere, #NFDB
770:You cannot have both. Riches and purity do not match. Humility hates pride.” He paced in a circle. “You have been warned. ~ Tess Uriza Holthe, #NFDB
771:You were praised for humility by people because you did not make them feel any more lacking than they already did. ~ Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, #NFDB
772:Every day work on your humility through your meditation, giving more of yourself, giving those things you don't want to give. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
773:How can I possibly serve another person in unfeigned humility if I seriously regard his sinfulness as worse than my own? ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer, #NFDB
774:Humility. Never announce that you are a knight, simply behave as one. You are better than no one, and no one is better than you. ~ Ethan Hawke, #NFDB
775:It takes humility to seek feedback. It takes wisdom to understand it, analyze it and appropriately act on it.” —Stephen Covey ~ John C Maxwell, #NFDB
776:Just using a checklist requires [doctors] to embrace different values from ones we've had, like humility, discipline, teamwork. ~ Atul Gawande, #NFDB
777:Narcissists are everywhere in this ripe age of self-love, which amazes me because so much in life would seem to foster humility. ~ Dean Koontz, #NFDB
778:Perhaps priest and magician were once one, but the priest, learning humility in the face of God, discarded the spell for prayer. ~ Patti Smith, #NFDB
779:Prayer needs no speech. It is in itself independent of any sensuous effort. But it must be combined with the utmost humility. ~ Mahatma Gandhi, #NFDB
780:Six essential qualities that are the key to success: Sincerity, personal integrity, humility, courtesy, wisdom, charity. ~ William C Menninger, #NFDB
781:Spread abroad the name of Jesus in humility and with a meek heart; show him your feebleness, and he will become your strength. ~ Thomas Merton, #NFDB
782:...the essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less. ~ Timothy J Keller, #NFDB
783:True will is quiet humility, resilience, and flexibility; the other kind of will is weakness disguised by bluster and ambition. ~ Ryan Holiday, #NFDB
784:Confidence is this: Wearing your triumphs with humility, and wearing your scars with pride. Many of us do precisely the opposite. ~ Umair Haque, #NFDB
785:Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. ~ Saint Augustine, #NFDB
786:Humility accepts that God places us in the right place at every single moment, not a moment to soon and not a moment too late. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
787:Humility and suffering free a man from all sin; for the first cuts out spiritual passions, and the latter bodily. ~ Saint Maximus the Confessor, #NFDB
788:If one takes pride in one's craft, you won't let a good thing die. Risking it through not pushing hard enough is not a humility. ~ Paul Keating, #NFDB
789:I think you gotta have an honesty and a humility about human nature and that it's not about you at the end of the day. ~ Philip Seymour Hoffman, #NFDB
790:No structure of virtue can possibly be raised in our soul unless, first, the foundations of true humility are laid in our heart. ~ John Cassian, #NFDB
791:shishthata - humility - etiquette is the basis of culture, combination of disrespect for elders and false-ego leads to rudeness of behaviour. ~, #NFDB
792:There is the humility of being a father to someone so powerful, as if he were only a narrow conduit for another, greater thing. ~ Anthony Doerr, #NFDB
793:There is the humility of being a father to someone so powerful, as if he were only a narrow conduit for another, greater think. ~ Anthony Doerr, #NFDB
794:Humiliating people in the name of religion is the practice of someone deprived of the first fruit of religion, # humility . ~ Nouman Ali Khan, #NFDB
795:Humility can’t be bought at a bargain price. It’s the long working of grace upon grace within the hurts of our hearts. Humility ~ Lysa TerKeurst, #NFDB
796:Humility means coming to the root of the matter, honestly looking at yourself and saying: "This is me for better or for worse." ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
797:Humility means one does not impose his conceptions upon others and he is fully dependent on the mercy of the Lord. ~ Bhaktisvarupa Damodar Swami, #NFDB
798:It takes courage and humility to recognize we are as messed up as the drug addict next door, and many of us never get that honest. ~ Judah Smith, #NFDB
799:"Life teaches us through errors. When we accept the lesson from our mistake with humility and gratitude, we grow that much more." ~ Haemin Sunim, #NFDB
800:The humility that cringes in order that reproof may be escaped or favor obtained is as unchristian as it is profoundly immoral. ~ Dallas Willard, #NFDB
801:With humility may I reap my own power, and at the end of the journey, I hope I learn when to stand small so others can feel tall. ~ Sejal Badani, #NFDB
802:Adventurers tend to prance about the ladder of success, fearing less the sensation of a great fall than the humility of hanging idle. ~ Mike Caro, #NFDB
803:All of our holy fathers knew this and all with one accord teach that perfection in holiness can be achieved only through humility. ~ John Cassian, #NFDB
804:Every human being has appetites difficult to control but far fewer have humility, gentleness, and an awareness of their weaknesses. ~ Dean Koontz, #NFDB
805:God, give me a deep humility, a well-guided zeal, a burning love and a single eye, and then let men or devils do their worst! ~ George Whitefield, #NFDB
806:I have as big of an ego as it gets, but I have, stunningly, a lot of humility considering some of the accomplishments I've had. ~ Gary Vaynerchuk, #NFDB
807:nothing can save us but the restoration of our lost humility, the original and only true relationship of the creature to its God. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
808:One of the most important things about leadership is that you have to have the kind of humility that will allow you to be coached. ~ Jim Yong Kim, #NFDB
809:The source of tolerance is the recognition that none of us have the absolute truth. There can be no tolerance without humility. ~ Milton Friedman, #NFDB
810:Whether it be prayer or praise, whether it be work or suffering, the genuine salt of humility cannot be used in excess. ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon, #NFDB
811:Believer! study the humility of Jesus. This is the secret, the hidden root of thy redemption. Sink down into it deeper day by day. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
812:God is the embodiment of compassion. He watches for a grain of goodness or humility so that He can reward it with tons of grace. ~ Sathya Sai Baba, #NFDB
813:Humility is an unchanging character of the soul which continues untouched either by a bad or good report, in disgrace or in honor. ~ John Climacus, #NFDB
814:Humility is not just something we develop so we can claim to be more spiritual. It also allows you to see your actions more clearly. ~ Chad Fowler, #NFDB
815:I prefer an attitude of humility corresponding to the weakness of our intellectual understanding of nature and of our own being. ~ Albert Einstein, #NFDB
816:Money and success make you arrogant and stupid. Now with some poverty and humility behind you, you can become a student again. ~ Robert T Kiyosaki, #NFDB
817:The kind of experience of humility and happiness that comes with gratitude tends to crowd out whatever is coarse, or ugly or mean. ~ Kevin DeYoung, #NFDB
818:To counter-balance the natural humility of motherhood, I garden ... In the garden, more than any place, I really feel successful. ~ Glenda Jackson, #NFDB
819:honesty is just the flipside of a little thing called humility. (This word is pronounced ‘hyoo-míl-uh-tee.’ It’s a noun. Look it up.) ~ Lauren Rowe, #NFDB
820:However, little by little, I am coming to the view that what I mistook for humility was, in fact, an accurate evaluation of your worth. ~ Trevanian, #NFDB
821:Humility is the only soil in which the graces root; the lack of humility is the sufficient explanation of every defect and failure. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
822:In humility alone lies true greatness, and knowledge and wisdom are profitable only in so far as our lives are governed by them. ~ Nicholas of Cusa, #NFDB
823:Integrity, like humility, is a quality which vanishes the moment we are conscious of it in ourselves. We see it only in others. ~ Madeleine L Engle, #NFDB
824:love is as much an art as painting or living; it requires practice, finesse, determination, humility, energy and delicacy. ~ Hannah Mary Rothschild, #NFDB
825:My inspiration is coming more and more from the way I feel and the gratitude I feel. The older you get the more humility you have. ~ Louie Anderson, #NFDB
826:Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion and somethings an indirect boast. ~ Jane Austen, #NFDB
827:Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast. ~ Jane Austen, #NFDB
828:Starting at the bottom is not about humiliation. It's about humility—a realistic assessment of where you are in the learning curve. ~ Maria Shriver, #NFDB
829:Themes so vast that only composers could even approach them. If at all. All other artists must practice humility before them. ~ Jan Philipp Sendker, #NFDB
830:The primary quality that Lao Tzu seems to emobdy is humility, which is the image of water - seeking the common level of existence. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
831:There is one thing you must always remember about yourself; always be yourself, with courage and humility, no matter what! ~ Ernest Agyemang Yeboah, #NFDB
832:This is God's way, the way of humility. It is the way of Jesus; there is no other. And there can be no humility without humiliation. ~ Pope Francis, #NFDB
833:Truth must the guide of those who hold the power; but humility is their sign, the promise that their privileges are in safe hands. ~ Vincent Massey, #NFDB
834:When allowed to return to the class, your feelings of humility and lonesomeness will render you a much finer student and person. ~ Naomi Shihab Nye, #NFDB
835:Atheism is a way of humility. It's to think oneself to be an animal, as we are actually and to allow oneself to become human. ~ Andr Comte Sponville, #NFDB
836:For me hope isn't wishful thinking or blind faith about the future. It's a stance toward life - one of curiosity and humility. ~ Frances Moore Lappe, #NFDB
837:Humility means freedom. It provides growth and takes you out of the cycle of change that you are currently in, which is stagnation. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
838:Humility, reverence, compassion, forbearance, sacrifice and self-control are the qualities that reveal the outcome of the true education. ~ Sai Baba, #NFDB
839:If you accept such love with purity and humility, you will understand that Love is neither giving nor receiving -it is participating. ~ Paulo Coelho, #NFDB
840:is there so much suffering, so much death? I was told that God’s ways are incomprehensible, and that in many cases, a Job-like humility ~ James Wood, #NFDB
841:Personally, I rather look forward to a computer program winning the world chess championship. Humanity needs a lesson in humility. ~ Richard Dawkins, #NFDB
842:Should you ask me what is the first thing in religion, I should reply that the first, second, and third thing therein is humility. ~ Saint Augustine, #NFDB
843:Some forty years of experience in my field as a scholar and as a teacher have given me great confidence mixed with greater humility. ~ George Sarton, #NFDB
844:The fact that you see a manifold world with different times, places and conditions -this exists only because of a lack of humility. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
845:The fruit of wisdom is Christlikeness, peace, humility and love. And, the root of it is faith in Christ as the manifested wisdom of God ~ J I Packer, #NFDB
846:The molecular structure of love: one proton of faith, three electrons of humility, a neutron of compassion, and a bond of honesty. ~ Menna van Praag, #NFDB
847:As we bring up our children, we should descend to their level in one sense (humility) in order to lead them to our level (maturity). ~ Douglas Wilson, #NFDB
848:Atheism is a way of humility. It's to think oneself to be an animal, as we are actually and to allow oneself to become human. ~ Andre Comte Sponville, #NFDB
849:For me, a good portrait shows the fragility and humility of the person, and at the same time a strength, a resting in themselves. ~ Wolfgang Tillmans, #NFDB
850:Humility is more powerful than egoistic pride. Water is more powerful than the strongest cliff and Love is more powerful than might. ~ Shri Radhe Maa, #NFDB
851:Humility is the only lens though which great things can be seen--and once we have seen them, humility is the only posture possible. ~ Parker J Palmer, #NFDB
852:I am resolved that I will not through humility become the devil's attorney. I will endeavor to speak a good word for the truth. ~ Henry David Thoreau, #NFDB
853:I bow to my opponent in praise and thanks. After the fight is a time for humility, acceptance and analysis, no matter the result. ~ Georges St Pierre, #NFDB
854:Jesus is the Creator who walked among us in humility to experience our fragility and to rescue us from our hopeless human condition. ~ Nabeel Qureshi, #NFDB
855:Should you ask me what is the first thing in religion, I should reply that the first, second, and third thing therein is humility. ~ Saint Augustine, #NFDB
856:Sincerity must be bought at a price: the humility to recognize our innumerable errors, and fidelity in tirelessly setting them right. ~ Thomas Merton, #NFDB
857:The most secretive news that can make you to shake hands with great people is humility. Pride on the other way is a dream killer. ~ Israelmore Ayivor, #NFDB
858:There's not a conspiracy to prevent really good writing from being found You have to have the humility to fail over and over and over. ~ Ray McKinnon, #NFDB
859:This is what the kingdom of God looks like. It looks like humility. It looks like grace. It looks like service. It looks like Jesus. ~ Gregory A Boyd, #NFDB
860:True humility, we believe, consists of two things. The first is knowing our limitations. And the second is getting the help we need. ~ Robert L Moore, #NFDB
861:God measures people by the small dimensions of humility and not by the bigness of their achievements or the size of their capabilities. ~ Billy Graham, #NFDB
862:humility in the face of the unattainable, as well as unease in the face of achievement, are both prerequisites for any mastery in life. ~ Franz Werfel, #NFDB
863:Humility was a cult in my family. I only got it out of my father by accident when he was very old that he had won an Olympic gold medal. ~ Hugh Laurie, #NFDB
864:If you wish to draw profit, read with humility, simplicity, and faith, and never with the design of gaining a reputation for learning. ~ Thomas Kempis, #NFDB
865:Inspiration comes only to those who seek it with humility toward their own achievements and reverence toward the achievements of God. ~ Walter Russell, #NFDB
866:...love is as much an art as painting or living; it requires practice, finesse, determination, humility, energy and delicacy. ~ Hannah Mary Rothschild, #NFDB
867:The foundation, the motivation of a life of humility, is the example of Jesus Christ’s humble life and sacrificial death on the cross. ~ Matt Chandler, #NFDB
868:But self-abasement is just inverted egoism. Anyone who acts with genuine humility will be as far from humiliation as from arrogance. ~ Stephen Mitchell, #NFDB
869:Even the most ignorant person on earth can experience union with God in perfect love by practicing contemplation in the beauty of humility. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
870:Everything is human. The Spaniard’s fear of God, his humility, his solemnity, his scrupulous austerity is a very worthy form of humanity, ~ Thomas Mann, #NFDB
871:I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize.The first is gentleness;the second is frugality;the third is humility. ~ Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, #NFDB
872:I understood, by dint of digging into my memories, that modesty helped me to shine, humility helped me to triumph and virtue to oppress. ~ Albert Camus, #NFDB
873:The best loved by God are those that are rich, yet have the humility of the poor, and those that are poor and have the magnanimity of the rich. ~ Saadi, #NFDB
874:Well there cannot be light without the darkness as they say. You need to shit yourself at least once to learn true humility dad said. ~ Chris Philbrook, #NFDB
875:Does what happened keep you from acting with justice, generosity, self-control, sanity, prudence, honesty, humility, straightforwardness? ~ Ryan Holiday, #NFDB
876:Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. ~ Saint Augustine of Hippo, #NFDB
877:Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan on erecting a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. ~ Jeff Wheeler, #NFDB
878:I see a world in the future in which we understand that all life is related to us and we treat that life with great humility and respect. ~ David Suzuki, #NFDB
879:The first product of self-knowledge is humility," Flannery O'Connor once said. This is how we fight the ego, by really knowing ourselves. ~ Ryan Holiday, #NFDB
880:The patience and the humility of the face she loved so well was a better lesson to Jo than the wisest lecture, the sharpest reproof. ~ Louisa May Alcott, #NFDB
881:As in Jesus' time, so today, tyranny and pride need to be whipped out of the temple, and humility and divine Science to be welcomed in. ~ Mary Baker Eddy, #NFDB
882:Certainly all virtues are very dear to God, but humility pleases Him above all the others, and it seems that He can refuse it nothing. ~ Francis de Sales, #NFDB
883:confidence was not leavened with a whole lot of humility. The cost of that imbalance was that there was very little oxygen left for others. ~ James Comey, #NFDB
884:Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. ~ Saint Augustine of Hippo, #NFDB
885:Humility has such power. Apologies can disarm arguments. Contrition can defuse rage. Olive branches do more good than battle axes ever will. ~ Max Lucado, #NFDB
886:Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in blood of his followers and sacrifices of his friends. ~ Dwight D Eisenhower, #NFDB
887:Modern science should indeed arouse in all of us a humility before the immensity of the unexplored and a tolerance for crazy hypotheses. ~ Martin Gardner, #NFDB
888:Public faith means going public with what’s in your heart, with humility and respect for others, as we speak of the truth of the gospel. ~ Timothy Keller, #NFDB
889:Today, with humility and openness I ask for spiritual intervention in my earthly affairs. I ask for help, and, in the asking, it appears. ~ Julia Cameron, #NFDB
890:A servant who serves excellently from his whole heart with due courage and humility is never a servant, but a master of his work! ~ Ernest Agyemang Yeboah, #NFDB
891:Fishing is a constant reminder of the democracy of life, of humility, and of human frailty. The forces of nature discriminate for no man. ~ Herbert Hoover, #NFDB
892:History is the necessary food of good and noble sentiments. It ought to give us at once humility and confidence in the face of greatness. ~ Vincent Massey, #NFDB
893:honesty, innovation, vulnerability, standing up for oneself, standing up for others, self-respect, curiosity, charity, humility, creativity. ~ Mark Manson, #NFDB
894:Humility feels that there is someone, somewhere who can do anything I can do better - except one thing: no one can be better at being me. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
895:Humility is the first step towards learning. You can’t learn until you are humble enough to realize there is something for you to learn. ~ Robert Kiyosaki, #NFDB
896:Humility sets us free to do what is really good, by showing us our illusions and withdrawing our will from what was only an apparent good. ~ Thomas Merton, #NFDB
897:If anybody here has trouble with the concept of design humility, reflect on this: It took us 5,000 years to put wheels on our luggage. ~ William McDonough, #NFDB
898:Thank you' is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extereme gratitude, humility, understanding. ~ Alice Walker, #NFDB
899:'Thank you' is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding. ~ Alice Walker, #NFDB
900:There's other ways to protect yourself and your family, Arlen. Wisdom. Prudence. Humility. It's not brave to fight a battle you can't win. ~ Peter V Brett, #NFDB
901:To live greatly, we must develop the capacity to face trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and triumph with humility. ~ Thomas S Monson, #NFDB
902:Traits like humility, courage, and empathy are easily overlooked - but it's immensely important to find them in your closest relationships. ~ Laura Linney, #NFDB
903:What most of us need, almost more than anything, is the
courage and humility really to ask for help, from the depths of
our hearts ~ Sogyal Rinpoche,#NFDB
904:For me, the massiveness of what I don't know is one way I experience God. It creates in me a feeling of humility and a sense of gratitude. ~ Warren Farrell, #NFDB
905:life of service and humility, of silent subordination and religious training, from which he wrested intellectual pleasures congruent with his ~ Thomas Mann, #NFDB
906:One must have the humility and the imagination to honor all deep human experiences - not least those one has never come near to sharing. ~ Rosamond Lehmann, #NFDB
907:Pray today that your senses, your mind, your songs,and your life will salute God with all humility andgentleness. ~ Rabindranath Tagore#tagore #prayer #God, #NFDB
908:repentance. Not a onetime event for the forgiveness of sin and gift of eternal life but a lifetime pattern of humility before a holy God. ~ James MacDonald, #NFDB
909:We look at each other for a moment and for once I feel awkward. It's not that I'm not into humility; I've just never had to practise it. ~ Melina Marchetta, #NFDB
910:Early in life I had to choose between honest arrogance and hypocritical humility. I chose the former and have seen no reason to change. ~ Frank Lloyd Wright, #NFDB
911:Humility is the freedom to stop trying to be what we’re not, or pretending to be what we’re not, and accepting our “appropriate smallness. ~ John Ortberg Jr, #NFDB
912:It breaks my heart when couples focus more on being wed than being married. Two become one doesn't happen without work, humility, and sacrifice. ~ Mark Hart, #NFDB
913:It is important that you strive for humility, but not humiliation, for a cool, level-headed confidence, not a stiff, delusional arrogance. ~ Michael Johnson, #NFDB
914:It would be well if, in the spirit of humility, we recognized the true dignity of our regenerated nature, and lived up to it. What ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon, #NFDB
915:Pride juggles with her toppling towers, They strike the sun and cease, But the firm feet of humility They grip the ground like trees. ~ Gilbert K Chesterton, #NFDB
916:Self-confidence, as it is generally understood, implies arrogant presumption; humility implies being impeccable in one’s actions and feelings. ~ Th un Mares, #NFDB
917:that humility has taken up its abode in us; and become our very nature; that we actually, like Christ, have made ourselves of no reputation. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
918:The one foolproof test of our holiness will be the humility we demonstrate before God and men. Humility is the bloom and beauty of holiness. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
919:There is nothing more deceitful...than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes and indirect boast. ~ Jane Austen, #NFDB
920:The thought of my youthful lack of humility made me nauseous now. I had been an arrogant asshole and, in the midst of that, my mother died. ~ Cheryl Strayed, #NFDB
921:America has its own detectives. Some good ones, too. None as good as me, of course."
"And that's the burden you bear with such humility. ~ Derek Landy,#NFDB
922:Humility, however deep it be, neither disquiets nor troubles nor disturbs the soul; it is accompanied by peace, joy and tranquillity. ~ Saint Teresa of Avila, #NFDB
923:Humility is simply the sense of entire nothingness, which comes when we see how truly God is all, and in which we make way for God to be all. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
924:None of us can afford to stop learning or to check our curiosity about new things, or to lose our humility in the face of new situations. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt, #NFDB
925:Self knowledge puts us on our knees, and it is very necessary for love. For knowledge of God gives love, and knowledge of self gives humility ~ Mother Teresa, #NFDB
926:She must not look too proud nor yet too humble, lest people say she is proud of her humility.”
Excerpt From: "Catherine, Called Birdy. ~ Karen Cushman,#NFDB
927:The secet to happiness is to embrace the humility to accept what comes and the courage to continue on your life's path with an open heart ~ Mary Alice Monroe, #NFDB
928:What separates me from most so-called atheists is a feeling of utter humility toward the unattainable secrets of the harmony of the cosmos. ~ Albert Einstein, #NFDB
929:Would not the world be a better place if a man simply lived in humility and loved his brother or sister as himself, regardless of one’s birth? ~ Jody Hedlund, #NFDB
930:As certain as weather coming from the west, the things people know for sure will change. The only dependable things are humility and looking. ~ Richard Powers, #NFDB
931:Does what happened keep you from acting with justice, generosity, self-control, sanity, prudence, honesty, humility, straightforwardness? Nope. ~ Ryan Holiday, #NFDB
932:Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. — Saint Augustine ~ Dave Gibbons, #NFDB
933:Humility is becoming a lost art, but it's not difficult to practice. It means that you realize that others have been involved in your success. ~ Harvey Mackay, #NFDB
934:Humility is, "nothing but that simple consent of the creature to let God be all, in virtue of which it surrenders itself to His working alone. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
935:If there is one thing I have learned on this incredible journey we call life, it is this: the sign of a truly successful individual is humility. ~ Naveen Jain, #NFDB
936:I Saw The Wind Within Her
I saw the wind within her
I knew it blew for me —
But she must buy my shelter
I asked Humility
~ Emily Dickinson,#NFDB
937:Put all our pride away, always find a gentle word to say, you know we shouldn't be full of ourselves when we should be full of humility . ~ Dawud Wharnsby Ali, #NFDB
938:The terrible pain of loss teaches humility to our prideful kind, has the power to soften uncaring hearts, to make a better person of a good one. ~ Dean Koontz, #NFDB
939:To hope and trust in the Lord requires faith, patience, humility, meekness, long-suffering, keeping the commandments and enduring to the end. ~ Robert D Hales, #NFDB
940:We must shift our allegiances from fear to curiosity, from attachment to letting go, from control to trust, and from entitlement to humility. ~ Angeles Arrien, #NFDB
941:A great deal of humility is necessary in the process of self-discovery. Humility is the ability to accept what and who you are at this moment. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
942:Certainly all virtues are very dear to God, but humility pleases Him above all the others, and it seems that He can refuse it nothing. ~ Saint Francis de Sales, #NFDB
943:Humility, a sense of reverence before the sons of heaven - of all the prizes that a mortal man might win, these, I say, are wisest; these are best. ~ Euripides, #NFDB
944:Life is difficult, and complicated, and beyond anyone's total control, and the humility to know that will enable you to survive its vicissitudes. ~ J K Rowling, #NFDB
945:Modern science has been a voyage into the unknown, with a lesson in humility waiting at every stop. Many passengers would rather have stayed home. ~ Carl Sagan, #NFDB
946:Only the exceptional blend of love, humility, hospitality, and persistence can overcome these barriers, and not enough people make the effort. ~ Nabeel Qureshi, #NFDB
947:On Pride: This sickness is most dangerous when it succeeds in looking like humility. When a proud man thinks he is humble his case is hopeless. ~ Thomas Merton, #NFDB
948:Science is the most intimate school of resignation and humility, for it teaches us to bow before the seemingly most insignificant of facts. ~ Miguel de Unamuno, #NFDB
949:the mind that has convinced itself of its own superiority is incapable of humility, and in the absence of humility, it is incapable of growth. ~ Steven Erikson, #NFDB
950:There is nothing to popularize a person. Only humility, which is the ability to remain in the background and to put others in the front light. ~ Nelson Mandela, #NFDB
951:The secret to happiness is to embrace the humility to accept what comes and the courage to continue on your life's path with an open heart. ~ Mary Alice Monroe, #NFDB
952:The secret to happiness is to embrace the humility to accept what comes and the courage to continue on your life’s path with an open heart. ~ Mary Alice Monroe, #NFDB
953:The social principles of Christianity preach cowardice, self-contempt, abasement, submission, humility, in a word all the qualities of the canaille ~ Karl Marx, #NFDB
954:What will be the crown of those who, humble within and humiliated without, have imitated the humility of our Savior in all its fullness! ~ Bernadette Soubirous, #NFDB
955:Guilford thought he knew what science was. It was nothing more than curiosity … tempered by humility, disciplined with patience. Science ~ Robert Charles Wilson, #NFDB
956:Humility is the first rule of martial arts. Either you learn humility quickly, or you leave because your ego can't handle losing repeatedly. ~ Georges St Pierre, #NFDB
957:In humility is the greatest freedom. As long as you have to defend the imaginary self that you think is important, you lose your peace of heart. ~ Thomas Merton, #NFDB
958:Knowledge is power. Information is power. The secreting or hoarding of knowledge or information may be an act of tyranny camouflaged as humility. ~ Robin Morgan, #NFDB
959:Management" of anything as complicated as a woods requires more humility than comes easily to our species, at least in its American incarnation. ~ Bill McKibben, #NFDB
960:Men don't achieve truth because they lack humility and love of truth. They won't criticize their own beliefs. Truth would overwhelm them. ~ Henri Frederic Amiel, #NFDB
961:Recently in mixed company...I ventured to make the claim ( not without some show of humility and modesty ) that I was the greatest living swine. ~ Flann O Brien, #NFDB
962:Respond to critics with humility. Most people are experts in finding problems with whatever others do. That should not be a surprise to you. ~ Israelmore Ayivor, #NFDB
963:When you realize that the ego is making you miserable you don't identify with it. You identify with your soul's humility and the ego dissolves. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
964:You couldn't be that good and not know it, somewhere in your secret heart, however much you'd been abused into affecting public humility. ~ Lois McMaster Bujold, #NFDB
965:Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in the blood of his followers and the sacrifices of his friends. ~ Dwight D Eisenhower, #NFDB
966:I am persuaded that love and humility are the highest attainments in the school of Christ and the brightest evidences that He is indeed our Master. ~ John Newton, #NFDB
967:Jesus does not want us to walk in a false humility that minimizes how much He enjoys loving us or how much He wants us to enjoy being loved by Him. ~ Mike Bickle, #NFDB
968:The glory of Advent and Christmas is camouflaged by humility, anonymity and even foolishness, for our God likes to hide himself beneath his opposite. ~ Chad Bird, #NFDB
969:What I see in Nature is a grand design that we can understand only imperfectly, one with which a responsible person must look at with humility. ~ Albert Einstein, #NFDB
970:For me, love is an enhanced state of kindness, compassion, service, respect, and humility, an emotion I feel we are all here to give and to receive. ~ Nathan East, #NFDB
971:Here you must face your fears and learn humility through your tears. Three rights do not make a wrong, but poor choices will make your journey long. ~ Johan Twiss, #NFDB
972:In sha Allah, God willing, must be the expression of humility of the active actors and it must never be the justification of the passive observers ~ Tariq Ramadan, #NFDB
973:Nothing is more deceitful," said Darcy, "than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast. ~ Jane Austen, #NFDB
974:Nothing is more deceitful,’ said Darcy, ‘than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast. ~ Jane Austen, #NFDB
975:Nothing is more deceitful,” said Darcy, “than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast. ~ Jane Austen, #NFDB
976:Pleasure in itself is good, but hope and fear are bad, and so are humility and repentance: 'he who repents of an action is doubly wretched or infirm'. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
977:Remember that you need much teaching, much upholding, much grace, and much humility, if your witnessing is to be to your Master's glory. ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon, #NFDB
978:Since speed and confidence are the traits of success we are taught to strive with, it takes added courage to welcome time and humility into our lives. ~ Mark Nepo, #NFDB
979:The first condition of humaneness is a little humility and a little diffidence about the correctness of one's conduct and a little receptiveness. ~ Mahatma Gandhi, #NFDB
980:The greatest ornament of an illustrious life is modesty and humility, which go a great way in the character even of the most exalted princes. ~ Napoleon Bonaparte, #NFDB
981:The true way and the sure way to friendship is through humility-being open to each other, accepting each other just as we are, knowing each other. ~ Mother Teresa, #NFDB
982:We serve others as much by our weaknesses as by our strengths. The only difficult is that it takes humility and courage to be able to live by it. ~ Marcia Willett, #NFDB
983:Anything that infuses us with humility is good. Even if it feels a bit like humiliation in the moment, the workings of humility within are a gift. ~ Lysa TerKeurst, #NFDB
984:Before catechisms can instill a proper humility, small children know the truth that their own existence has caused the world to bloom into being. ~ Gregory Maguire, #NFDB
985:From Jesus I learn that, whatever activism I get involved in, it must not drive out love and humility, or otherwise I betray the kingdom of heaven. ~ Philip Yancey, #NFDB
986:Here is one of the best means to acquire humility; fix well in mind this maxim: One is as much as he is in the sight of God, and no more. ~ Saint Francis of Assisi, #NFDB
987:Pride is at the bottom of a great many errors and corruptions, and even of many evil practices, which have a great show and appearance of humility. ~ Matthew Henry, #NFDB
988:You need to have the humility to accept your limitations as long as they're there, and have the humility to accept their end when that time comes. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
989:You’re generally less humble in that decade than you’ll ever be and this lack of humility is oddly mixed with insecurity and uncertainty and fear. ~ Cheryl Strayed, #NFDB
990:Any time we look at our Maker with love, our importance in our own eyes diminishes, and we are filled with awe and humility and love for others. ~ Julian of Norwich, #NFDB
991:Before someone will get the guts to monitor your life, he must get the keyboard of humility. To be a humble person, is a priority in leadership! ~ Israelmore Ayivor, #NFDB
992:Early in life I had to choose between honest arrogance and hypocritical humility. I chose honest arrogance and have seen no occasion to change. ~ Frank Lloyd Wright, #NFDB
993:Early in life, I had to choose between honest arrogance and hypocritical humility. I chose honest arrogance and have seen no occasion to change ~ Frank Lloyd Wright, #NFDB
994:For the believer, humility is honesty about one's greatest flaws to a degree in which he is fearless about truly appearing less righteous than another. ~ Criss Jami, #NFDB
995:Humility and inner peace go hand in hand. The less compelled you are to try to prove yourself to others, the easier it is to feel peaceful inside. ~ Richard Carlson, #NFDB
996:If you give to a man all riches and all might and he looks upon himself with the same humility as before, then that man far surpasses other human beings. ~ Meng-tse, #NFDB
997:The key to success is to approach everything with humility. To know that there is always something new to learn in this surreal art of being human. ~ James Altucher, #NFDB
998:There is no gardening without humility. Nature is constantly sending even its oldest scholars to the bottom of the class for some egregious blunder. ~ Alfred Austin, #NFDB
999:An arrogant man whose arrogance we see from his own behaviour is more tolerable than a humble man whose humility we hear of from his own mouth. ~ Mokokoma Mokhonoana, #NFDB
1000:But again the eternal question - what need is there of my humility? Can’t I simply be devoured without being expected to praise what devours me? ~ Fyodor Dostoyevsky, #NFDB
1001:Everything [Jesus] taught and did was a summons to the humility and love that purge self-exaltation out of leadership and servility out of submission. ~ Wayne Grudem, #NFDB
1002:It's only with that absolute humility and purity that you can make friends with God; because, otherwise, you're just too busy with all your desires. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
1003:Printing demands a humility of mind, for the lack of which many of the fine arts are even now floundering in self-conscious and maudlin experiments. ~ Beatrice Warde, #NFDB
1004:The very first step in nonviolence is that we cultivate in our daily life, as between ourselves, truthfulness, humility, tolerance, loving kindness. ~ Mahatma Gandhi, #NFDB
1005:To please God, to be pleasing to God, is to “walk with Light,” to walk with God in joy, praise, holiness, and humility as image-bearers of the Light. ~ Leonard Sweet, #NFDB
1006:A good trader has to have three things: a chronic inability to accept things at face value, to feel continuously unsettled, and to have humility. ~ Michael Steinhardt, #NFDB
1007:And humility in politics means accepting that one party doesn't have all the answers; recognising that working in partnership is progress not treachery. ~ Vince Cable, #NFDB
1008:Asking for advice is an act of humility.... The act alone says, "I need you." The decision maker and the adviser are pushed into a closer relationship. ~ Dennis Bakke, #NFDB
1009:May it please Christ our Lord to grant us true humility and abnegation of will and judgment, so that we may deserve to begin to be His disciples. ~ Ignatius of Loyola, #NFDB
1010:Truth, purity, self-control, firmness, fearlessness, humility, unity, peace, and renunciation - these are the inherent qualities of a civil resister. ~ Mahatma Gandhi, #NFDB
1011:You're not as smart as you think you are, but you've got more potential than you could possibly imagine. The secret from the one to other is humility. ~ Michael Hyatt, #NFDB
1012:A life of humility is based on the cross of Jesus Christ, which tells us that Jesus could have chosen to do none of it but decided to endure all of it. ~ Matt Chandler, #NFDB
1013:Anything that infuses us with humility is good. Even if it feels a bit like humiliation in the moment, the workings of humility within are a gift. The ~ Lysa TerKeurst, #NFDB
1014:Just serve every creature in God’s creation with humility, respect, and love.” Or, “Just sing the names of Rama and everything else will be attained. ~ Radhanath Swami, #NFDB
1015:question the ways of the almighty God? To face God is to be humbled. With humility comes wisdom; with wisdom comes the strength to wait upon the Lord. ~ David Jeremiah, #NFDB
1016:The ocean doesn't care about you. It makes your boat feel tiny. The oceans are great promoters of religion, or at least of humility-but not in everyone. ~ Tracy Kidder, #NFDB
1017:The rising and falling of the scales of pride and humility sustain the brooding mind as well as the alternations of desire and peace of the soul. ~ Friedrich Nietzsche, #NFDB
1018:We must make humility the chief thing we admire in Him, the chief thing we ask of Him, and the one thing for which we sacrifice all else. (See Note B.) ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
1019:Where there is charity and wisdom there is neither fear nor ignorance. Where there is patience and humility there is neither anger nor worry. ~ Saint Francis of Assisi, #NFDB
1020:And according to what we have of God will be our real humility, because humility is nothing but the disappearance of self in the vision that God is all. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
1021:Arrogance is pride’s calling card, and crowds everything with Self. Gratitude is humility’s calling card, and is the space left inside for love. ~ Gregory David Roberts, #NFDB
1022:As much as you have pride within you, you have the fallen angel alive in you. As much as you have true humility, you have of the Lamb of God within you. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
1023:At every step of our Christian development and in every sphere of our Christian discipleship, pride is the greatest enemy and humility our greatest friend. ~ John Stott, #NFDB
1024:By and large, the mission of any ghost is to offer humility. They point out what's important by mocking what is not.
(Joshua Malina, Sports Night) ~ Aaron Sorkin,#NFDB
1025:Mysticism and exaggeration go together. A mystic must not fear ridicule if he is to push all the way to the limits of humility or the limits of delight. ~ Milan Kundera, #NFDB
1026:save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them. ~ Joseph Smith Jr, #NFDB
1027:So many of us, myself included, need to keep our sense of personal outrage in check. Each human beings position on the planet is one of intense humility. ~ Ani DiFranco, #NFDB
1028:. The key to all of that is keeping hold of humility and keeping hold of the people around you, and making sure you stay grounded with your family and friends. ~ Kimbra, #NFDB
1029:Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. —COLOSSIANS 3:12 ~ Sarah Young, #NFDB
1030:True humility comes when, in the, light of God, we have seen ourselves to be nothing, have consented to part with and cast away self, to let God be all. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
1031:True humility involves opposites. The truly humble work in silence. Because they do not speak of their accomplishments, credit for them can never be taken away. ~ Laozi, #NFDB
1032:Where annual elections end, there slavery begins ... Humility, patience, and moderation, without which every man in power becomes a ravenous beast of prey. ~ John Adams, #NFDB
1033:Everybody who's in the news business today was influenced in a positive way by Walter Cronkite. He had ability, humility and integrity, a rare combination. ~ Roger Ailes, #NFDB
1034:The job is to ask questions - it always was - and to ask them as inexorably as I can. And to face the absence of precise answers with a certain humility. ~ Arthur Miller, #NFDB
1035:The job is to ask questions — it always was — and to ask them as inexorably as I can. And to face the absence of precise answers with a certain humility. ~ Arthur Miller, #NFDB
1036:The school of envy teaches you that others’ failure is your success. The school of humility teaches you that envying others’ success is your real failure. ~ Shubha Vilas, #NFDB
1037:We are seekers of the truth, but we do not embody the truth. And in humility, we should recognize that the same can be said about our most ardent foes. ~ John C Danforth, #NFDB
1038:A man can counterfeit love, he can counterfeit faith, he can counterfeit hope and all the other graces, but it is very difficult to counterfeit humility. ~ Dwight L Moody, #NFDB
1039:God's world is a good place. The one thing not good in it is we. How little justice and humility there is in us. How little we understand true patriotism! ~ Anton Chekhov, #NFDB
1040:Humility isn’t complicated. It’s really just returning to the way God set things up in the beginning. He designed us to need him all the time, and each other. ~ Dan Walsh, #NFDB
1041:It is a wholesome and necessary thing for us to turn again to the earth and in the contemplation of her beauties to know the sense of wonder and humility. ~ Rachel Carson, #NFDB
1042:Humility is the only virtue that no devil can imitate. If pride made demons out of angels, there is no doubt that humility could make angels out of demons. ~ John Climacus, #NFDB
1043:I have a giant ego and terrible self-esteem, so I need to hit the re-set button fairly regularly - to get into presence, and humility, and being right-sized. ~ Anne Lamott, #NFDB
1044:Let your old age be childlike, and your childhood like old age; that is, so that neither may your wisdom be with pride, nor your humility without wisdom. ~ Saint Augustine, #NFDB
1045:Making weak things strong is the Savior's specialty, and the way we receive such individual help is through humility and a willingness to come unto Christ. ~ John Bytheway, #NFDB
1046:Real spiritual growth is always growth downward, so to speak, into profounder humility, which in healthy souls will become more and more apparent as they age. ~ J I Packer, #NFDB
1047:Rid your body of its impurities, let your speech be true and sweet, feel friendship for the world, and with humility seek wealth and knowledge. ~ Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, #NFDB
1048:The whole thing of this business is to retain your enthusiasm and, in a sense, retain your innocence and try to practice as much humility as possible. ~ John Frankenheimer, #NFDB
1049:Travelers learn not just foreign customs and curious cuisines and unfamiliar beliefs and novel forms of government. They learn, if they are lucky, humility. ~ Paul Fussell, #NFDB
1050:We should be teaching our children the scientific method and the reasons for a Bill of Rights. With it comes a certain decency, humility and community spirit. ~ Carl Sagan, #NFDB
1051:Humility is always a good thing. It's always a good thing to be humbled by circumstances so you can then come from a sincere place to try to deal with them. ~ Michael J Fox, #NFDB
1052:If we ever do want to become wise, it comes from the questioning and from humility—not, as many would like to think, from certainty, mistrust, and arrogance. ~ Ryan Holiday, #NFDB
1053:May it please Christ our Lord to grant us true humility and abnegation of will and judgment, so that we may deserve to begin to be His disciples. ~ Saint Ignatius of Loyola, #NFDB
1054:People who love themselves come across as very loving, generous and kind; they express their self-confidence through humility, forgiveness and inclusiveness. ~ Sanaya Roman, #NFDB
1055:To meditate with humility, consider existence. It is infinite. You are finite. You are a finite portion of infinite existence. Let this be your meditation. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
1056:God, before He comes to the heart, sends servants to make it ready for His coming. And who are those servants? Purity, chastity, humility, loving-kindness. ~ Sri Ramakrishna, #NFDB
1057:Humility is a quality for which I have only a limited admiration. In many phases of life it is a great mistake and degenerates into defensiveness or hypocrisy. ~ E M Forster, #NFDB
1058:Know honor, Yet keep humility. Be the valley of the universe! Being the valley of the universe, Ever true and resourceful, Return to the state of the uncarved block. ~ Laozi, #NFDB
1059:The most beautiful women I have known had one thing in common apart from beauty: humility. It's a shame that those with less to boast about do it the most. ~ Donna Lynn Hope, #NFDB
1060:There is nothing new under the sun but that of the Son. Man's rebellion against God has always been because he would rather fall in pride than rise in humility. ~ Criss Jami, #NFDB
1061:We need to recognize that lack of confidence does not equal humility. In fact, genuinely humble people have enormous confidence because it rests in a great God. ~ Beth Moore, #NFDB
1062:Without humility, we keep all our defects; and they are only crusted over by pride, which conceals them from others, and often from ourselves. ~ Francois de La Rochefoucauld, #NFDB
1063:God, before He comes to the heart, sends servants to make it ready for His coming. And who are those servants? Purity, chastity, humility, loving-kindness. ~ Sri Ramakrishna, #NFDB
1064:Humility is a quality for which I have only a limited admiration. In many phases of life it is a great mistake and degenerates into defensiveness and hypocrisy. ~ E M Forster, #NFDB
1065:Modesty is a learned affectation. It's no good. Humility is great, because humility says, 'There was someone before me. I'm following in somebody's footsteps.' ~ Maya Angelou, #NFDB
1066:The aim of the Mystic is to stretch his range of Consciousness as widely as possible, so that he may touch the highest pride and the deepest humility.
~ Hazrat Inayat Khan,#NFDB
1067:The cross is the greatest example of humility and devotion in the universe. Jesus put your needs ahead of His own. He considered you more valuable than Himself. ~ Chip Ingram, #NFDB
1068:Gratitude is the beginning of wisdom. Stated differently, true wisdom cannot be obtained unless it is built on a foundation of true humility and gratitude. ~ Gordon B Hinckley, #NFDB
1069:Humility is authenticity. It comes from the Latin word humus, meaning "earth." As the church has taught, we're made of dust, and unto dust we shall return. ~ Joan D Chittister, #NFDB
1070:humility is in reality the opposite of self-deprecation. It is the grateful recognition that we are precious in God’s eyes and that all we are is pure gift. ~ Henri J M Nouwen, #NFDB
1071:Humility means the willingness to look in the mirror of God’s Word and being glad that whatever we see there has already been covered by the blood of Jesus. ~ Paul David Tripp, #NFDB
1072:The complementary movement towards divine love is growth in humility which is the acceptence of the reality about ourselves, our own weakness and limitations. ~ Thomas Keating, #NFDB
1073:There are two things that men should never weary of, goodness and humility; we get none too much of them in this rough world among cold, proud people. ~ Robert Louis Stevenson, #NFDB
1074:The trodden worm curls up. This testifies to its caution. It thus reduces its chances of being trodden upon again. In the language of morality: Humility. ~ Friedrich Nietzsche, #NFDB
1075:To confess, then, is to praise and glorify God; it is an exercise in self-knowledge and true humility in the atmosphere of grace and reconciliation. ~ Saint Augustine of Hippo, #NFDB
1076:We may speak of love and humility as the true flowers of spiritual growth; and they give off a wonderful scent, which benefits all those who come near. ~ Saint Teresa of Avila, #NFDB
1077:When you're thinking, please remember this: excessive pride is a familiar sin, but a man may just as easily frustrate the will of God through excessive humility. ~ Ken Follett, #NFDB
1078:Christianity, with its doctrine of humility, of forgiveness, of love, is incompatible with the state, with its haughtiness, its violence, its punishment, its wars ~ Leo Tolstoy, #NFDB
1079:Her father had learned only one thing in prison. Not humility, nor patience, nor understanding...Marshall Kofer had learned to listen, at least to his daughter". ~ John Grisham, #NFDB
1080:Humility is like a pair of scales: the lower one side falls, the higher rises the other. Let us humble ourselves like the Blessed Virgin and we shall be exalted. ~ John Vianney, #NFDB
1081:Humility is often only a feigned submissiveness by which men hope to bring other people to submit to them; it is a more calculated sort of pride. ~ Francois de La Rochefoucauld, #NFDB
1082:If you strive to become a good human being with the qualities of generosity, humility and having reverence for life...just maybe you'll become a great musician. ~ Charlie Haden, #NFDB
1083:In Christ, man who made himself God encounters God who made himself man. Unrivaled self-importance and pride encounters unrivaled self-emptying and humility. ~ Christopher West, #NFDB
1084:Kundalini is generated through cultivating humility, purity, through meditation, selfless giving, and by studying with an advanced teacher on a personal level. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
1085:Mankind is like dogs, not gods - as long as you don't get mad they'll bite you - but stay mad and you'll never be bitten. Dogs don't respect humility and sorrow. ~ Jack Kerouac, #NFDB
1086:People who have trouble questioning their own country often have trouble admitting fault in themselves, both of which come from insecurity and lack of humility. ~ Bryant McGill, #NFDB
1087:When I worked with wildlife a lot in the Eighties and Nineties, I learnt the meaning of patience. And when I worked with trees, I learned the meaning of humility. ~ James Balog, #NFDB
1088:A man in the view of absolute goodness, adores, with total humility. Every step downward, is a step upward. The man who renounceshimself, comes to himself. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, #NFDB
1089:Cease to be a disobedient child in the school of experience, and begin to learn, with humility and patience, the lessons that are set for your ultimate perfection. ~ James Allen, #NFDB
1090:Feast of Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, & his sister Macrina, Teachers, c.394 & c.379 Humility is the root, mother, nurse, foundation, and bond of all virtue. ~ Saint John Chrysostom, #NFDB
1091:I'd like to be remembered as someone who really helped people to have a little humility and realize that we are part of the animal kingdom, not separated from it. ~ Jane Goodall, #NFDB
1092:If everything that exists is an action of God, he must have an alarming humility, since he is not above employing his whole being to produce an ordinary housefly. ~ Alan W Watts, #NFDB
1093:If our life is not a course of humility, self-denial, renunciation of the world, poverty of spirit, and heavenly affection, we do not live the lives of Christians. ~ William Law, #NFDB
1094:Obama is capable - as evidenced by his first-term success with health care reform. But mandate-building requires humility, a trait not easily associated with him. ~ Ron Fournier, #NFDB
1095:Show humility to your neighbors, and make friends of your enemies. People fight when they feel threatened. Show you are no threat, and they will open their arms. ~ James Maxwell, #NFDB
1096:The hardest lesson I've had to learn in my life is that my intelligence is inversely correlated to my humility. The more I thought I knew, the less I actually knew. ~ Tucker Max, #NFDB
1097:To learn true humility, we need more than a redefinition of greatness; we need even more than Jesus' personal example of humble service. What we need is His death. ~ C J Mahaney, #NFDB
1098:Use humility to make the enemy haughty. Tire them by flight. Cause division among them. When they are unprepared, attack and make your move when they do not expect it. ~ Sun Tzu, #NFDB
1099:What are the things that you can't see that are important? I would say justice, truth, humility, service, compassion, love...They're the guiding lights of a life. ~ Jimmy Carter, #NFDB
1100:When I sing, I believe. I'm honest. If you want to get an audience with you, there's only one way. You have to reach out to them with total honesty and humility. ~ Frank Sinatra, #NFDB
1101:A humble man is not afraid of failure. In fact, he is not afraid of anything, even himself, since perfect humility implies perfect confidence in the power of God. ~ Thomas Merton, #NFDB
1102:A marriage that isn't built around the Cross will be devoid of grace, mercy, and humility that come when both husband and wife recognize their need for a savior. ~ John R W Stott, #NFDB
1103:Get rid of pride; it'll only ride you to the wrong side of life. May God's words guide your faith to abide in true humility. Kick off pride; embrace humility! ~ Israelmore Ayivor, #NFDB
1104:Humility is my table, respect is my garment, empathy is my food and curiosity is my drink. As for love, it has a thousand names and is by my side at every window. ~ Tariq Ramadan, #NFDB
1105:Only the ego can fear, experience hate, lust and jealousy. Humility experiences none of these things - it merges into the transcendental awareness of perfection. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
1106:The only wisdom we can hope to acquire Is the wisdom of humility: humility is endless. The houses are all gone under the sea. The dancers are all gone under the hill. ~ T S Eliot, #NFDB
1107:You have to refine your being. You have to go through all of the stages and steps of erasing yourself through service to others with purity, humility, integrity. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
1108:...goals not bathed in prayer or brought in humility before the Lord turn out to be downright useless. They don't go anywhere. They don't accomplish anything. ~ Charles R Swindoll, #NFDB
1109:If, when stung by slander or ill-nature, we wax proud and swell with anger, it is a proof that our gentleness and humility are unreal, and mere artificial show. ~ Francis de Sales, #NFDB
1110:Obedience and humility require courage and strength of character. Weakness and fear cause one to fall back on his or her pride, which results in a vicious cycle ~ Sienna McQuillen, #NFDB
1111:-You're gloating, Max. It's not flattering. Somebody needs to teach you a little humility.- -A good woman could do that.- -She'd have to be armed and dangerous.- ~ Janet Evanovich, #NFDB
1112:I really have a great deal of humility in that department, and a great deal of respect for people who spend their lives learning how to make these amazing preparations. ~ Ted Allen, #NFDB
1113:Jehovah chose to do great things through me. I lay my life in total humility never to take the Glory that comes from doing His great work… It all belongs to Him ~ Israelmore Ayivor, #NFDB
1114:just because you’ve abandoned your hopes of becoming a great thinker or scientist, don’t give up on attaining freedom, achieving humility, serving others . . .” (7.67). ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
1115:There is a stupid humility that is quite common and when a person is afflicted with it, he is once and for all disqualified for being a disciple of knowledge. ~ Friedrich Nietzsche, #NFDB
1116:Walking is the great adventure, the first meditation, a practice of heartiness and soul primary to humankind. Walking is the exact balance beween spirit and humility. ~ Gary Snyder, #NFDB
1117:But I still feel like a normal person... I've walked the streets and I know what it feels like. I speak with humility, and apparently those songs connect with people. ~ Cee Lo Green, #NFDB
1118:He was too simple to wonder when he had attained humility. But he knew he had attained it and he knew it was not disgraceful and it carried no loss of true pride. ~ Ernest Hemingway, #NFDB
1119:Humility is as important for Dominants as for submissives, if not more so. We must always remember that the exchange of power is a gift and should never be abused. ~ Claire Thompson, #NFDB
1120:I think that Benjamin Franklin felt very strongly in foreign policy in this world, that you needed to at least show some humility, especially when you were strong. ~ Walter Isaacson, #NFDB
1121:Let your old age be childlike, and your childhood like old age; that is, so that neither may your wisdom be with pride, nor your humility without wisdom. ~ Saint Augustine of Hippo, #NFDB
1122:My dear, here is lesson number one for using opportunity; waste no time on false humility. Tell the world about your achievements don't wait for someone else to do it. ~ Kate Alcott, #NFDB
1123:So long as a man does not of his own free will put himself last among his fellow creatures, there is no salvation for him. Ahimsa is the farthest limit of humility. ~ Mahatma Gandhi, #NFDB
1124:The King of Glory does not reward His servants according to the dignity of their office, but according to the humility and love with which they have exercised it. ~ Francis de Sales, #NFDB
1125:And for the sake of humility--a characteristic crucial to sacred questioning we might do well to confess that we're capable at any moment of such bad religion ourselves. ~ David Dark, #NFDB
1126:And we must—absolutely must—maintain a fundamental humility before the Great Mystery. If we do not, religion always worships itself and its formulations and never God. ~ Richard Rohr, #NFDB
1127:Darwin Smith stands as a classic example of what we came to call a Level 5 leader—an individual who blends extreme personal humility with intense professional will. ~ James C Collins, #NFDB
1128:He frees us from our burdens in the most unexpected way: He frees us by calling us to rely less on ourselves and more on Him. He frees us by calling us to humility. ~ Hannah Anderson, #NFDB
1129:Humility is to make a right estimate of one's self. It is no humility for a man to think less of himself than he ought, though it might rather puzzle him to do that. ~ Prince Charles, #NFDB
1130:If my shoes were made of humility; my dress of compassion; my hat of respect, my jewelry of gratitude, and my perfume of determination, I would be dressed for success. ~ Joan Marques, #NFDB
1131:Moral influence takes its start where humiliation begins; yes, it is nothing else than this humiliation itself, the breaking and bending of the temper down to humility. ~ Max Stirner, #NFDB
1132:My dear, here is lesson number one for using opportunity: waste no time on false humility. Tell the world about your achievements; don't wait for someone else to do it. ~ Kate Alcott, #NFDB
1133:Practice humility constantly. Whenever you start to think well of yourself, push those thoughts aside. Whenever you think ill of yourself, push those thoughts aside. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
1134:The beginner's humility and openness lead to exploration. Exploration leads to accomplishment. All of it begins at the beginning, with the first small and scary step. ~ Julia Cameron, #NFDB
1135:GLOUCESTER: I do not know that Englishman alive With whom my soul is any jot at odds, More than the infant that is born to-night: I thank my God for my humility. ~ William Shakespeare, #NFDB
1136:I can say without the slightest hesitation, and yet in all humility, that those who say that religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion means. ~ Mahatma Gandhi, #NFDB
1137:The earnest worker soon learns his own weakness. If you seek humility, try hard work; if you would know your nothingness, attempt some great thing for Jesus. ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon, #NFDB
1138:There is no leveller like Christianity—but it levels by lifting to a lofty table-land, accessible only to humility. He only who is humble can rise, and rising lift. ~ George MacDonald, #NFDB
1139:You can fail in films because you don't have the talent, or you have too much humility, or you lack ferociousness. I'm a gangster. If I want something, I'll grab it. ~ John Cassavetes, #NFDB
1140:After all, to get the whole universe totally wrong in the face of clear evidence for over 75 years merits monumental embarrassment and should induce a modicum of humility. ~ Halton Arp, #NFDB
1141:Do not be afraid to be holy! Have the courage and humility to present yourselves to the world determined to be holy, since full, true freedom is born from holiness. ~ Pope John Paul II, #NFDB
1142:God will not give me humility, or patience, or holiness, or love as separate investments of His grace. He has given only one gift to meet our need, His Son Christ Jesus. ~ Watchman Nee, #NFDB
1143:He was, perhaps, the crappiest meditator in the world. But he noticed this, accepted it, and let it humble him. Humility was one of the things that made him a wise man. ~ Michael Poore, #NFDB
1144:Humility is not putting yourself down or denying your strengths; rather, it is being honest about your weaknesses. The more honest you are, the more of God’s grace you get. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
1145:Humility is often only feigned submission which people use to render others submissive. It is a subterfuge of pride which lowers itself in order to rise. ~ Francois de La Rochefoucauld, #NFDB
1146:Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance. ~ Saint Augustine, #NFDB
1147:Humility is the real Christian virtue,” says Nouwen. “When we come to realize that . . . only God saves, then we are free to serve, then we can live truly humble lives. ~ Philip Yancey, #NFDB
1148:I claim to be a simple individual liable to err like any other fellow mortal. I own, however, that I have humility enough to confess my errors and to retrace my steps. ~ Mahatma Gandhi, #NFDB
1149:I think I'd like to be remembered as someone who really helped people to have a little humility and realize that we are part of the animal kingdom not separated from it. ~ Jane Goodall, #NFDB
1150:~ Jalaluddin Rumi: Very little grows on jagged rock. Be ground. Be crumbled, so that wildflowers will come up where you are. #poetry #mysticpoetry #humility twitter.com/SOSmeditate/st…, #NFDB
1151:More like an anaconda than a fuzzy blanket, pride continues to tighten its death grip, eventually choking out all humility and ending in our complete consumption with self. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
1152:Shamanism is not a religion. It’s a method. And when this method is practiced with humility, reverence and self-discipline, the shaman’s path can become a way of life. ~ Hank Wesselman, #NFDB
1153:The most powerful weapon to conquer the devil is humility. For, as he does not know at all how to employ it, neither does he know how to defend himself from it. ~ Saint Vincent de Paul, #NFDB
1154:As I was to learn, patience and latitude and even humility are, paradoxically, the handmaidens of wealth, because virtue is costly only for those who own nothing else. ~ James Lee Burke, #NFDB
1155:Death is the ultimate barrier, and when faced with impending death, personally or for someone you love, a mortal being will encounter, most of all, ultimate humility. We ~ R A Salvatore, #NFDB
1156:Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is, from the very nature of things, the first duty and the highest virtue of the creature, and the root of every virtue. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
1157:If, when stung by slander or ill-nature, we wax proud and swell with anger, it is a proof that our gentleness and humility are unreal, and mere artificial show. ~ Saint Francis de Sales, #NFDB
1158:I think the election of [Barack] Obama was a great step to prove to the world that we believe that all men were created equal. I think it will show that we have humility. ~ Kirk Douglas, #NFDB
1159:Living a life worthy of the gospel does not mean pretending to be perfect. Instead, it means having the humility to think of others as better than ourselves (Phil. 2:3). ~ Matt Chandler, #NFDB
1160:The load, or weight, or burden of my neighbour’s glory should be laid on my back, a load so heavy that only humility can carry it, and the backs of the proud will be broken. ~ C S Lewis, #NFDB
1161:The most powerful weapon to conquer the devil is humility. For, as he does not know at all how to employ it, neither does he know how to defend himself from it. ~ Saint Vincent de Paul, #NFDB
1162:The only humility that is really ours is not the humility we try to show before God in prayer, but that which we carry with us and actively live in our ordinary conduct. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
1163:We learn from here the humility of the Holy One, Blessed is He. Since man is in the likeness of the angels, and they would be jealous of him, for this reason, He consulted them. ~ Rashi, #NFDB
1164:-You're gloating, Max. It's not flattering. Somebody needs to teach you a little humility.-
-A good woman could do that.-
-She'd have to be armed and dangerous.- ~ Janet Evanovich,#NFDB
1165:Humility is not putting yourself down or denying your strengths; rather, it is being honest about your weaknesses. The more honest you are, the more of God’s grace you get. ~ Rick Warren, #NFDB
1166:I saw the snares that the enemy spreads out over the world and I said groaning, "What can get through from such snares?" Then I heard a voice saying to me, "Humility. ~ Anthony the Great, #NFDB
1167:Within the Church, sins are forgiven in three ways: by baptism, by prayer, and by the greater humility of penance; yet God does not forgive sins except to the baptized. ~ Saint Augustine, #NFDB
1168:Consider humility to be the mother-virtue, your very first duty before God, the one constant safeguard of the soul, and set your heart on it as the source of all blessing. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
1169:Early in my career...I had to choose between an honest arrogance and a hypercritical humility... I deliberately choose an honest arrogance, and I've never been sorry. ~ Frank Lloyd Wright, #NFDB
1170:He does not show humility who accuses himself (for who will not accept rebukes from himself?), but he who, being rebuked by another, does not decrease his love toward him. ~ John Climacus, #NFDB
1171:Humility is not so much a virtue along with the others, but is the root of all, because it alone takes the right attitude before God and allows Him, as God, to do all. God ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
1172:Humility must accompany all our actions, must be with us everywhere; for as soon as we glory in our good works they are of no further value to our advancement in virtue. ~ Saint Augustine, #NFDB
1173:The King of Glory does not reward His servants according to the dignity of their office, but according to the humility and love with which they have exercised it. ~ Saint Francis de Sales, #NFDB
1174:We tend to lack humility toward love, to patronize it rather than bow before it, to put mundane considerations before the emotional need to hold someone in our arms. ~ Marianne Williamson, #NFDB
1175:Cultivate a sympathetic heart, humility in dealings, and selflessness in action. If these are practiced with earnestness and sincerity, then you will win the race of life. ~ Baba Hari Dass, #NFDB
1176:Fullness of knowledge always and necessarily means some understanding of the depths of our ignorance, and that is always conducive to both humility and reverence. ~ Robert Andrews Millikan, #NFDB
1177:In the mercy of God, the little thing done with humility will enable us to be found in the same place as the saints who have labored much and been true servants of God. ~ Dorotheus of Gaza, #NFDB
1178:You learn about gratitude by giving. You learn about humility by receiving, and in the pecking order of human qualities, I'd probably put humility somewhere before gratitude. ~ Jean Harris, #NFDB
1179:Act in such a way that your humility may not be weakness, nor your authority be severity. Justice must be accompanied by humility, that humility may render justice lovable. ~ Pope Gregory I, #NFDB
1180:Humility
Great poets fire the world with fagots big
That make a crackling racket,
But I'm content with but a whispering twig
To warm some single jacket.
~ Ambrose Bierce,#NFDB
1181:Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is, from the very nature of things, the first duty and the highest virtue of the creature, and the root of every virtue. And ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
1182:Let us pray God, if He gives us any virtue or any gift, to keep it hidden even from ourselves, that we may preserve our humility, and not take occasion of pride because of it. ~ Philip Neri, #NFDB
1183:Religion can emerge in all forms of feeling: here wild anger, there the sweetest pain; here consuming hatred, there the childlike smile of serene humility. ~ Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel, #NFDB
1184:Why could you not have left me as I was, in the sea of being?" "Because the world has need of your humility, your piety, your great teaching and your Machiavellian scheming. ~ Roger Zelazny, #NFDB
1185:As certain as weather coming from the west, the things people know for sure will change. There is no knowing for a fact. The only dependable things are humility and looking. ~ Richard Powers, #NFDB
1186:Everyone always warms to people who can laugh at themselves. It’s human nature - and the best jokes are always against ourselves. It shows character, humility and grace. ~ Bear Grylls, #NFDB
1187:Dealing with the old school rappers, you see a lot of humility. When you're new, nothing is wrong. Everything is tight. Because you're trying to hype the world into believing in you. ~ Ice T, #NFDB
1188:God opposes the proud. The way you get up front is do really good work in the back. Humility is a by product of spending time with Jesus - it is not a reflection of yourself ~ Bradley Cooper, #NFDB
1189:Humility does not live in the prison of illusion that says that this world is a dark and terrible place. Those perceptions are phantoms; everything is eternity, God, divine. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
1190:It is a most certain truth that the richer we see ourselves to be, confessing at the same time our poverty, the greater will be our progress, and the more real our humility. ~ Teresa of vila, #NFDB
1191:Making resolutions is a cleansing ritual of self-assessment and repentance that demands personal honesty and, ultimately, reinforces humility. Breaking them is part of the cycle. ~ Eric Zorn, #NFDB
1192:Shine your soul with the same
egoless humility as the rainbow
and no matter where you go
in this world or the next,
love will find you, attend you, and bless you. ~ Aberjhani,#NFDB
1193:This was defeat. This was failure; a quiet, ashen world. True humility and obedience, where the knee is bowed to the inevitable, the ring is kissed without pride or restraint. ~ Ian McDonald, #NFDB
1194:To know oneself is, above all, to know what one lacks. It is to measure oneself against Truth, and not the other way around. The first product of self-knowledge is humility ~ Ian Morgan Cron, #NFDB
1195:Dependence, humility, simplicity, cooperation, and a sense of abandon are qualities greatly prized in the spiritual life, but extremely elusive for people who live in comfort. ~ Philip Yancey, #NFDB
1196:He counted thirteen virtues: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquillity, chastity, and humility. Soon ~ Jill Lepore, #NFDB
1197:Humility is the fundamental principle that builds up greatness. Arrogance on the other hand never brings anything good. When you are humble, you’ll learn to become better. ~ Israelmore Ayivor, #NFDB
1198:It must be quite difficult, concealing your superior male qualities behind a mask of feigned humility.”
Why, Gillian, it’s that very ability that makes us so superior. ~ Victoria Alexander,#NFDB
1199:Maturity is humility. It is being big enough to say, "I was wrong." And, when he/she is right, the mature person need not experience the satisfaction of saying, "I told you so." ~ Ann Landers, #NFDB
1200:The emotional reaction in the peak experience has a special flavor of wonder, of awe, of reverence, of humility and surrender before the experience as before something great. ~ Abraham Maslow, #NFDB
1201:I'd never understood whether the vogue for apologising is a sign of humility of impudence: you do something you shouldn't have done, then you apologise and wash your hands of it. ~ Umberto Eco, #NFDB
1202:Kitty, this is humility. This is how I want you to live: knowing you have no strength on your own, but being absolutely confident that you can do everything through me. ~ Sharon Garlough Brown, #NFDB
1203:Revival is a renewed conviction of sin and repentance, followed by an intense desire to live in obedience to God. It is giving up one's will to God in deep humility. ~ Charles Grandison Finney, #NFDB
1204:The confession of ignorance is crucial to the pursuit of knowledge. Another way of putting it is that those who pretend to know never will – they lack the humility to learn. ~ Jonathan Renshaw, #NFDB
1205:The three jewels of Tao: compassion, moderation, and humility. Balthasar said compassion leads to courage, moderation leads to generosity, and humility leads to leadership. ~ Christopher Moore, #NFDB
1206:Any pride or haughtiness, is displeasing to us, merely because it shocks our own pride, and leads us by sympathy into comparison, which causes the disagreeable passion of humility. ~ David Hume, #NFDB
1207:I am humility, nothing more and nothing less. I am one blade of grass in a sea of grass. I am one wave in an endless ocean of waves. I am one glowing star in a galaxy of stars. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
1208:I believe everyone should have an opportunity to search for truth their own way. Humility, peace, child-like enthusiasm, acceptance, and sincerity is the true infinity engine! ~ Akiane Kramarik, #NFDB
1209:In this world of Maya, which is averse to the Lord, full of trials and tribulations, only patience, humility and respect for others are our friends for Hari bhajana. ~ Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, #NFDB
1210:Join me in my quest for a greater understanding of our existence. Join me in my desire for a greater self. Join me as I seek the humility to love and understand my fellow man. ~ Bryant H McGill, #NFDB
1211:Perhaps it is only human nature to inflict suffering on anything that will endure suffering, whether by reason of its genuine humility, or indifference, or sheer helplessness. ~ Honor de Balzac, #NFDB
1212:Some examples of good, healthy values: honesty, innovation, vulnerability, standing up for oneself, standing up for others, self-respect, curiosity, charity, humility, creativity. ~ Mark Manson, #NFDB
1213:The load, or weight, or burden of my neighbor’s glory should be laid daily on my back, a load so heavy that only humility can carry it, and the backs of the proud will be broken. ~ David Brooks, #NFDB
1214:a self-made gentleman, one who was guided by the values of civility, humility, and decency, inspired by religious and social service, and utterly devoted to the idea of dignity.”2 ~ David Brooks, #NFDB
1215:Assuredly, Loving Souls, you should go to God with all humility and respect, humbling yourselves in His presence, especially when you remember your past ingratitude and sins. ~ Alphonsus Liguori, #NFDB
1216:Bush promised a foreign policy of humility and a domestic policy of compassion. He has given us a foreign policy of arrogance and a domestic policy that is cynical, myopic and cruel. ~ Joe Klein, #NFDB
1217:Do not seek so anxiously to be developed, to subject yourself to many influences to be played on; it is all dissipation. Humility like darkness reveals the heavenly lights. ~ Henry David Thoreau, #NFDB
1218:Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance. ~ Saint Augustine of Hippo, #NFDB
1219:If a man is devout, we accuse him of hypocrisy; if he is not, of impiety; if he is humble, we look on his humility as a weakness; if he is generous, we call his courage pride. ~ Louis Bourdaloue, #NFDB
1220:Listening to others, especially those with whom we disagree, tests our own ideas and beliefs. It forces us to recognize, with humility, that we don't have a monopoly on the truth. ~ Janet Yellen, #NFDB
1221:Otto contends that the presence of the powerful and overwhelming numen is primary, and this causes us to react to it with a sense of reverence, humility, and creatureliness.17 ~ Robert J Spitzer, #NFDB
1222:Perhaps it is only human nature to inflict suffering on anything that will endure suffering, whether by reason of its genuine humility, or indifference, or sheer helplessness. ~ Honore de Balzac, #NFDB
1223:[Tea-masters] have given emphasis to our natural love of simplicity, and shown us the beauty of humility. In fact, through their teachings tea has entered the life of the people. ~ Kakuz Okakura, #NFDB
1224:An angel fell from Heaven without any other passion except pride, and so we may ask whether it is possible to ascend to Heaven by humility alone, without any other of the virtues. ~ John Climacus, #NFDB
1225:Art, if it is to be reckoned as one of the great values of life, must teach man humility, tolerance, wisdom and magnanimity. The value of art is not beauty, but right action. ~ W Somerset Maugham, #NFDB
1226:Humility is an elusive virtue. The more we pursue it - and the more we seem to acquire it - the more we take pride in our accomplishment, and we find ourselves back at square one. ~ Mike Aquilina, #NFDB
1227:Imam Mawlūd speaks next about freedom, which is achieved when one realizes the qualities of shame and humility, and empties oneself of their opposites (shamelessness and arrogance). ~ Hamza Yusuf, #NFDB
1228:People will not remember what you said, they will remember how you made them feel, if you consciously cultivate humility and learn from everyone you meet, they will remember you. ~ James Altucher, #NFDB
1229:The only wisdom we can hope to acquire
Is the wisdom of humility: humility is endless.
The houses are all gone under the sea.
The dancers are all gone under the hill. ~ T S Eliot,#NFDB
1230:There is nothing that comes closer to true humility than the intelligence. It is impossible to feel pride in one's intelligence at the moment when one really and truly exercises it. ~ Simone Weil, #NFDB
1231:To find one's special quality One must lead a life of deep humility. To serve in this way Never question but obey Is the blessing of St Aggie's charity. - The owls of St. Aegolius ~ Kathryn Lasky, #NFDB
1232:Bravery breaks barriers! You were not born to be mediocre! Put on courage and conquer! Don’t forget, however, never ever to go without true humility in all your endeavors! ~ Ernest Agyemang Yeboah, #NFDB
1233:Humility must accompany all our actions, must be with us everywhere; for as soon as we glory in our good works they are of no further value to our advancement in virtue. ~ Saint Augustine of Hippo, #NFDB
1234:Parenthood offers many lessons in patience and sacrifice. But ultimately, it is a lesson in humility. The very best thing about your life is a short stage in someone else’s story. ~ Michael Gerson, #NFDB
1235:Spiritual humility is not about getting small, not about debasing oneself, but about approaching everything and everyone else with a readiness to see goodness and to be surprised. ~ Krista Tippett, #NFDB
1236:The three jewels of the Tao: compassion, moderation, and humility. Balthasar said compassion leads to courage, moderation leads to generosity, and humility leads to leadership. ~ Christopher Moore, #NFDB
1237:We have to watch the world, and watch ourselves, with the humility of those who know, in the very depths of their being, that learning to become human is a process that never ends. ~ Tariq Ramadan, #NFDB
1238:When things are going well, be mindful of adversityWhen prosperous, be mindful of povertyWhen loved, be mindful of thoughtfulnessWhen respected, be mindful of humility ~ Gautama Buddha, #NFDB
1239:Why could you not have left me as I was, in the sea of being?"
"Because the world has need of your humility, your piety, your great teaching and your Machiavellian scheming. ~ Roger Zelazny,#NFDB
1240:Character Ethic as the foundation of success—things like integrity, humility, fidelity, temperance, courage, justice, patience, industry, simplicity, modesty, and the Golden Rule. ~ Stephen R Covey, #NFDB
1241:From Jesus I learn that, whatever activism I get involved in, it must not drive out love and humility, or otherwise I betray the kingdom of heaven. The Jesus I Never Knew (244 – 45) ~ Philip Yancey, #NFDB
1242:Humility means two things. One, a capacity for self-criticism. . . . The second feature is allowing others to shine, affirming others, empowering and enabling others.” —CORNEL WEST ~ John C Maxwell, #NFDB
1243:In such a state, humility is the virtue of men, and their only defense; to walk humbly with God, never doubting, whatever befall, that His will is good, and that His law is right. ~ Paul Elmer More, #NFDB
1244:Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
1245:The root of all virtue and grace, of all faith and acceptable worship, is that we know that we have nothing but what we receive, and bow in deepest humility to wait upon God for it. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
1246:True will is quiet humility, resilience, and flexibility; the other kind of will is weakness disguised by bluster and ambition. See which lasts longer under the hardest of obstacles. ~ Ryan Holiday, #NFDB
1247:We’ve turned faith into a right to certitude when, in fact, this Trinitarian mystery is whispering quite the opposite: we have to live in exquisite, terrible humility before reality. ~ Richard Rohr, #NFDB
1248:3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
1249:Failure leads to the greatest success, which is humility and learning. In order to fulfill yourself, you have to forget yourself. In order to find yourself, you have to lose yourself. ~ David Brooks, #NFDB
1250:Humility, and the most patient perseverance, seem almost as necessary in gardening as rain and sunshine, and every failure must be used as a stepping-stone to something better. ~ Elizabeth von Arnim, #NFDB
1251:It is a most certain truth, that the richer we see ourselves to be, confessing at the same time our poverty, the greater will be our progress, and the more real our humility. ~ Saint Teresa of Avila, #NFDB
1252:Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do but you suck it up and do it anyway, and that's what teaches you humility, work ethic, responsibility, and follow-through. ~ Julie Lythcott Haims, #NFDB
1253:To know oneself is, above all, to know what one lacks. It is to measure oneself against Truth, and not the other way around. The first product of self-knowledge is humility . . . ~ Flannery O Connor, #NFDB
1254:We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is good, because it is good; if bad, because it works in us patience, humility, contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country. ~ C S Lewis, #NFDB
1255:Great men suffer hours of depression through introspection and self-doubt. That is why they are great. That is why you will find modesty and humility the characteristics of such men. ~ Bruce Barton, #NFDB
1256:Humility means two things. One, a capacity for self-criticism. . . . The second feature is allowing others to shine, affirming others, empowering and enabling others.” ���CORNEL WEST ~ John C Maxwell, #NFDB
1257:Something very beautiful happens to people when their world's fallen apart: a humility, a nobility, a higher intelligence emerges at just the point when our knees hit the floor. ~ Marianne Williamson, #NFDB
1258:The only way we really create change is to enter any situation with the humility to listen and to recognize the world as it is, and then the audacity to dream what it could be. ~ Jacqueline Novogratz, #NFDB
1259:We must overturn so many idols, the idol of self first of all, so that we can be humble, and only from our humility can learn to be redeemers, can learn to work together in the way the ~ Oscar Romero, #NFDB
1260:Assuredly, Loving Souls, you should go to God with all humility and respect, humbling yourselves in His presence, especially when you remember your past ingratitude and sins. ~ Saint Alphonsus Liguori, #NFDB
1261:Humility cannot exist without love, and love cannot exist without humility. It is impossible for these virtues to exist except where there is great detachment from all created things. ~ Teresa of vila, #NFDB
1262:I have said that each aspect of the novel demands a different quality of the reader. Well, the prophetic aspect demands two qualities: humility and the suspension of the sense of humour. ~ E M Forster, #NFDB
1263:Level 5 leaders embody a paradoxical mix of personal humility and professional will. They are ambitious, to be sure, but ambitious first and foremost for the company, not themselves. ~ James C Collins, #NFDB
1264:Real spirituality is about getting the bullshit out of your life and getting real. Real humility knows how to slam a door closed and say no more. You can’t be humble without self-love. ~ Bryant McGill, #NFDB
1265:The ideal state is meekness, or humility, or the semi-invalid state of the old. Year after year I am becoming nobler and nobler. If I can live to be decrepit enough, I shall be a saint. ~ Charles Fort, #NFDB
1266:This is gospel-humility, blessed self-forgetfulness. Not thinking less of myself as in modern cultures, or less of myself as in traditional cultures. Simply thinking of myself less. ~ Timothy J Keller, #NFDB
1267:This is gospel-humility, blessed self-forgetfulness. Not thinking more of myself as in modern cultures, or less of myself as in traditional cultures. Simply thinking of myself less. ~ Timothy J Keller, #NFDB
1268:[To] know oneself is, above all, to know what one lacks. It is to measure oneself against Truth, and not the other way around. The first product of self-knowledge is humility . . . ~ Flannery O Connor, #NFDB
1269:3Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
1270:Beautiful souls often get put into plain bodies, but they cannot be hidden, and have a power all their own, the greater for the unconsciousness or the humility which gives it grace. ~ Louisa May Alcott, #NFDB
1271:No pain that we suffer, lass, no trial that we experience is ever for naught. Hardships teach us qualities we can get in no other way. Like patience, faith, fortitude . . . and humility. ~ Jeff Wheeler, #NFDB
1272:No pain that we suffer, lass, no trial that we experience is ever for naught. Hardships teach us qualities we can get in no other way. Like patience, faith, fortitude . . . and humility. ~ Jeff Wheeler, #NFDB
1273:One common cause of this mistake of preferring to imagine and admire a great ideal instead of beginning to do little deeds is our impatience with little baby steps, our lack of humility. ~ Peter Kreeft, #NFDB
1274:Something very beautiful happens to people when their world has fallen apart: a humility, a nobility, a higher intelligence emerges at just the point when our knees hit the floor. ~ Marianne Williamson, #NFDB
1275:...a man, who, like Satan, thought himself, for an instant, equal to God; but who now acknowledges, with Christian humility, that God alone possesses supreme power and infinite wisdom. ~ Alexandre Dumas, #NFDB
1276:I don't know what to say about myself. I don't know myself (laughs). People say my humility but I believe we're all humble in our own way. I try to stay close to my family and friends. ~ Fernando Torres, #NFDB
1277:I have lived a long time, and one thing I have come to see is that one is well served by a degree of both humility and charity when judging the inner workings of another person's heart ~ Khaled Hosseini, #NFDB
1278:I love to observe Christmas in quietude, humility, benevolence, charity, letting good will towards man, eloquent silence, prayer, and praise express my conception of Truth’s appearing. ~ Mary Baker Eddy, #NFDB
1279:Tell him, on the contrary, that he needs, in the interest of his own happiness, to walk in the path of humility and self-control, and he will be indifferent, or even actively resentful. ~ Irving Babbitt, #NFDB
1280:The Twelve Powers of the Mother manifested for Her Work: Sincerity, Peace, Equality, Generosity, Goodness, Courage, Progress, Receptivity, Aspiration, Perserverance, Gratitude, Humility
~ The Mother?,#NFDB
1281:Those that expose themselves as knowing the truth, lose the battle of innocence and humility and eventually pull a trigger at the universe. Wisdom chooses the unknown to be its reason. ~ Akiane Kramarik, #NFDB
1282:eight pillars of joy. Four were qualities of the mind: perspective, humility, humor, and acceptance. Four were qualities of the heart: forgiveness, gratitude, compassion, and generosity. ~ Dalai Lama XIV, #NFDB
1283:I have seen humility in many of the finest leaders I have met the world over. And indeed, it is embodied in the warm, engaging and quintessentially successful spirit of Sir Richard Branson. ~ Naveen Jain, #NFDB
1284:IT's time for us to wear the humility of Jesus like secondhand coat, ready to hear from people further along this road. We've tot stop insisting on our own way and believing we now best. ~ Shannan Martin, #NFDB
1285:Self-effacing, quiet, reserved, even shy—these leaders are a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will. They are more like Lincoln and Socrates than Patton or Caesar. ~ James C Collins, #NFDB
1286:Your patient has become humble; have you drawn his attention to the fact? All virtues are less formidable to us once the man is aware that he has them, but this is specially true of humility. ~ C S Lewis, #NFDB
1287:I still have a spiritual base and a spiritual foundation. And my conversation with God is very open-ended. I pray for humility, honestly, because it's very easy to be caught up in this world. ~ Katy Perry, #NFDB
1288:It is dangerous to preach humility to feeble souls. This distances them even more from themselves. Someone who is rigid, and turned inwards, can become aware of his destiny only by rebelling. ~ Ren Daumal, #NFDB
1289:There is no doubt that in exchanging a self-centered for a selfless life we gain enormously in self-esteem. The vanity of the selfless, even those who practice utmost humility, is boundless. ~ Eric Hoffer, #NFDB
1290:True karate is this: that in daily life one's mind and body be trained and developed in a spirit of humility, and that in critical times, one be devoted utterly to the cause of justice. ~ Gichin Funakoshi, #NFDB
1291:As Augustine put it, “Where there’s humility there is majesty; where there’s weakness, there’s might; where there is death, there’s life. If you want to get these things don’t disdain those. ~ David Brooks, #NFDB
1292:Humility does not necessarily require me to agree and comply with everyone else’s position, but it does demand that I be willing to understand and respect the many sides of every issue. ~ Joan D Chittister, #NFDB
1293:I can't tell you how may beautiful women have broken up with me because they were bored. I can't tell you because it never happened. They all adored me."
"It was your humility, wasn't it? ~ Derek Landy,#NFDB
1294:It is one of the triumphs of human wit ... to conquer by humility and submissiveness ... to make oneself small in order to appear great ... such ... are often the expedients of the neurotic. ~ Alfred Adler, #NFDB
1295:Let us look at every person who annoys or agitates us, as God’s means of grace, God’s instrument for our purification, for the working out of the humility Jesus our Life breathes within us. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
1296:Put off the fire of pride and save your life from burning with flames of failure. Pride is the reason why many dreams only survive as ashes today. Learn the lesson; hung on to humility! ~ Israelmore Ayivor, #NFDB
1297:Remember that true humility consists in being ready for what the Lord wants to do with you and happy that he should do it, and in considering yourselves unworthy to be called his servants. ~ Teresa of vila, #NFDB
1298:He prayed for purity, humility, love, and now it seemed to him that God heard his prayers. He had not lagged behind the times in knowledge.
He now had neither love nor humility nor purity. ~ Leo Tolstoy,#NFDB
1299:Humility and obedience are two painfully misunderstood virtues that are really the arts of listening. Humility involves the refusal to coerce, the rejection of all attempts to control others. ~ Ernest Kurtz, #NFDB
1300:Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. Humility is thinking more of others. Humble people are so focused on serving others, they don't think of themselves. ~ Rick Warren, #NFDB
1301:We believe in humility and integrity, the spirit of one people, bound together under God. We understand that the Constitution was written to control and regulate the government, not the people. ~ Allen West, #NFDB
1302:We must admit with humility that, while number is purely a product of our minds, space has a reality outside our minds, so that we cannot completely prescribe its properties a priori. ~ Carl Friedrich Gauss, #NFDB
1303:With traps and obstacles and hazards confronting us on every hand, only blindness or indifference will fail to turn in all humility, for guidance or for warning, to the study of examples. ~ Benjamin Cardozo, #NFDB
1304:At its core, naked service boils down to the ability of a service provider to be vulnerable—to embrace uncommon levels of humility, selflessness, and transparency for the good of a client. ~ Patrick Lencioni, #NFDB
1305:Be what it may, I will always esteem and adore the divine genius of this Gentleman, taking from him what I understand with humility and admiring with veneration what I am unable to understand. ~ Lope de Vega, #NFDB
1306:Humility, as we all know, is one of those virtues that is never gained by seeking it. The more we pursue it the more distant it becomes. To think we have it is sure evidence that we don't. ~ Richard J Foster, #NFDB
1307:Man himself cannot express love and humility by external signs, so plainly as does a dog, when with drooping ears, hanging lips, flexuous body, and wagging tail, he meets his beloved master. ~ Charles Darwin, #NFDB
1308:Our best work can't possibly appeal to the average masses, only our average work can. Finding the humility to happily walk away from those that don't get it unlocks our ability to do great work. ~ Seth Godin, #NFDB
1309:Someone else would come, another self that was a little more refined, that had a little more purity, a little more humility, because I was quite egotistical, I thought I was quite wonderful. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
1310:Thirteen virtues necessary for true success: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility. ~ Benjamin Franklin, #NFDB
1311:Whatever obscurities may involve religious tenets, humility and love constitute the essence of true religion; the humble is formed to adore, the loving to associate with eternal love. ~ Johann Kaspar Lavater, #NFDB
1312:...when you trust the Lord God to give you the next step, when you wait in humility upon Him, *He* will open the doors or close them, and you'll get to rest and relax until He says, 'Go. ~ Charles R Swindoll, #NFDB
1313:Harshaw had the arrogant humility of the man who has learned so much that he is aware of his own ignorance and he saw no point in 'measurements' when he did not know what he was measuring. ~ Robert A Heinlein, #NFDB
1314:Harshaw had the arrogant humility of the man who has learned so much that he is aware of his own ignorance and he saw no point in “measurements” when he did not know what he was measuring. ~ Robert A Heinlein, #NFDB
1315:Humility is a virtue all preach, none practise, and yet every body is content to hear. The master thinks it good doctrine for his servant, the laity for the clergy, and the clergy for the laity. ~ John Selden, #NFDB
1316:Humility is the fruit of inner security and wise maturity. To be humble is to be so sure of one’s self and one’s mission that one can forego calling excessive attention to one’s self and status. ~ Cornel West, #NFDB
1317:In order to turn around and do something better, we must first escape the vicious circle of self-righteousness and denial. And that calls for the humility to say "I'm sorry. Please forgive me." ~ Desmond Tutu, #NFDB
1318:In the war of magic and religion, is magic ultimately the victor? Perhaps priest and magician were once one, but the priest, learning humility in the face of God, discarded the spell for prayer. ~ Patti Smith, #NFDB
1319:True religion teaches us to reverence what is under us, to recognize humility and poverty, and, despite mockery and disgrace, wretchedness, suffering, and death, as things divine. ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, #NFDB
1320:You can have your pride and sit here and make cupcakes and get old and fat and nobody will give a damn after a while. Or you can trade that pride in for a little humility and take your life back. ~ Amy Harmon, #NFDB
1321:At the heart of Christian ethic is humility; at the heart of its parodies, pride. Different roads with different destinations, and the destinations color the character of those who travel by them. ~ N T Wright, #NFDB
1322:A warrior accepts the challenges of life in true humility. No matter what his destiny may be, it can never be a cause for discontent, but a living challenge which it is his privilege to surmount. ~ Th un Mares, #NFDB
1323:Christian humility does not consist in denying what there is of good in us; but in an abiding sense of ill-desert, and in the consciousness that what we have of good is due to the grace of God. ~ Charles Hodge, #NFDB
1324:In order to free ourselves from our assumptions about love, we must ask ourselves what long-held, often buried assumptions are and then face them, which takes courage, humility, and kindness. ~ Sharon Salzberg, #NFDB
1325:It is important that we learn humility, which says there was someone else before me who paid for me. My responsibility is to prepare myself so that I can pay for someone else who is yet to come. ~ Maya Angelou, #NFDB
1326:One of the greatest dangers we face in our attempt to remain humble is that the very moment we notice we are humble, we become proud of our humility- and in that instant, our humility evaporates ~ Pat Williams, #NFDB
1327:The humility of wisdom is the happy consciousness that all things come from God, are sustained by God, and exist for God. This wisdom is rooted in the pride-destroying, joy-giving cross of Christ. ~ John Piper, #NFDB
1328:The joy he brings to the millions of his countrymen, the grace with which he handles all the adulation and the expectations and his innate humility - all make for a one-in-a-billion individual. ~ Glenn McGrath, #NFDB
1329:The spirit of non-violence necessarily leads to humility. Non-violence means reliance on God, the rock of ages. If we would seek his aid, we must approach Him with a humble and contrite heart. ~ Mahatma Gandhi, #NFDB
1330:And from what we know, he truly saw each and every one of these obstacles as an opportunity to practice some virtue: patience, courage, humility, resourcefulness, reason, justice, and creativity. ~ Ryan Holiday, #NFDB
1331:For what is modesty but hypocritical humility, by means of which, in a world swelling with vile envy, a man seeks to beg pardon for his excellences and merits from those who have none? For ~ Arthur Schopenhauer, #NFDB
1332:I had the habit of not accepting prizes or honors, but always, not out of humility, but because I don't like them. Maybe it's a little crazy, but it's good to have it, but I just don't like them. ~ Pope Francis, #NFDB
1333:I'm not trying to tell you," he said, "that only educated and scholarly men are able to contribute something valuable to the world...[however,] they have more humility than the scholarly thinker. ~ J D Salinger, #NFDB
1334:We do God more honor by believing what He has said about Himself and having the courage to come boldly to the throne of grace than by hiding in self-conscious humility among the trees of the garden. ~ A W Tozer, #NFDB
1335:When the only one who has a right to be angry chooses love and service, when He considers the interests of others more important than His own and chooses humility–He changes everything (p. 55). ~ Edward T Welch, #NFDB
1336:I always prefer to start from a place of reality, not from my own projections and preferences. Humility is clearer-eyed than ego—and that’s important because humility always works harder than ego. ~ Ryan Holiday, #NFDB
1337:More than any other attribute of Jesus, his humility is the key to a healthy marriage. If two people make it their goal to imitate the humility of Christ, everything else will take care of itself. ~ Francis Chan, #NFDB
1338:One who believes may not be presumptuous; on the contrary, truth leads to humility, because believers know that, rather than ourselves possessing truth, it is truth that embraces and possesses us. ~ Pope Francis, #NFDB
1339:Thank you,” the old man said. He was too simple to wonder when he had attained humility. But he knew he had attained it and he knew it was not disgraceful and it carried no loss of true pride. ~ Ernest Hemingway, #NFDB
1340:The world is full of people who are eager to diminish you, to shame you, to put you in your place and to keep you down. If you embrace humility too fully, you are doing the bastards' work for them. ~ Dean Koontz, #NFDB
1341:3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. ~ Various, #NFDB
1342:David was "a star, the Elvis of the Bible." An unusually for such a rockstar with his lust for power, lust for women, lust for life, he had humility of one who knew his gift work harder than he ever would. ~ Bono, #NFDB
1343:Flag up your courage high and your fears will salute it in humility. Your fears are like walls without foundations; they are afraid to go down and hence pretend to be strong! Exercise Courage! ~ Israelmore Ayivor, #NFDB
1344:Selfless-giving burns away the layers of the onion. Purity and humility keep meditation and selfless-giving clear. Love radiates through the entire practice because we do all of it only for love. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
1345:Another thing about me dealing with the old school rappers, you see a lot of humility. When you're new, nothing is wrong. Everything is tight. Because you're trying to hype the world into believing in you. ~ Ice T, #NFDB
1346:have lived a long time, Mr. Markos, and one thing I have come to see is that one is well served by a degree of both humility and charity when judging the inner workings of another person’s heart. ~ Khaled Hosseini, #NFDB
1347:It's an universal law-- intolerance is the first sign of an inadequate education. An ill-educated person behaves with arrogant impatience, whereas truly profound education breeds humility. ~ Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, #NFDB
1348:Let us pray to God that other gifts may not so satisfy us, that we never grasp the fact that the absence of this grace (humility) is the secret cause why the power of God cannot do its mighty work. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
1349:There is a fundamental humility to decentralization, an admission that headquarters does not have all the answers and that much of the real value is created by local managers in the field. ~ William N Thorndike Jr, #NFDB
1350:To find one's special quality
One must lead a life of deep humility.
To serve in this way
Never question but obey
Is the blessing of St Aggie's charity.
- The owls of St. Aegolius ~ Kathryn Lasky,#NFDB
1351:Yet as human beings we have to accept-with humility-that the question of ultimate origins will always remain with us, no matter how deeply we understand the brain and the cosmos that it creates. ~ V S Ramachandran, #NFDB
1352:064The world is full of people who are eager to diminish you, to shame you, to put you in your place and to keep you down. If you embrace humility too fully, you are doing the bastards' work for them. ~ Dean Koontz, #NFDB
1353:...a man, who like Satan, momentarily thought himself the equal of God and who, with all the humility of a Christian, came to realize in God's hands alone reside supreme power and infinite wisdom. ~ Alexandre Dumas, #NFDB
1354:Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
1355:It is not the self -critical who reveals his humility ( for does not everyone have some how to put up with himself? ). Rather, it is the man who continues to love the person who has criticized him. ~ John Climacus, #NFDB
1356:It takes a special kind of humility to grasp that you know less, even as you know and grasp more and more. It’s remembering Socrates’ wisdom lay in the fact that he knew that he knew next to nothing. ~ Ryan Holiday, #NFDB
1357:Maybe it's a cultural thing, being Korean, but my first reflex has always been to exude humility - but it doesn't help you in acting. For acting, humility isn't the best thing. It'll weaken your work. ~ Steven Yeun, #NFDB
1358:One has to be alone, under the sky, Before everything falls into place and one finds his or her own place in the midst of it all. We have to have the humility to realize ourselves as part of nature. ~ Thomas Merton, #NFDB
1359:There are so many who take the dawn for the noon, a momentary experience for full realisation and destroy even the little they gain by excess of pride. Humility and silence are essential. ~ Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, #NFDB
1360:When you take the time to actually listen, with humility, to what people have to say, it's amazing what you can learn. Especially if the people who are doing the talking also happen to be children. ~ Greg Mortenson, #NFDB
1361:Christ says that He is ‘humble and meek’ and we believe Him; not noticing that, if He were merely a man, humility and meekness are the very last characteristics we could attribute to some of His sayings. ~ C S Lewis, #NFDB
1362:I've tended to lean more toward the Dalai Lama and people like Russell Means who have been my political and spiritual North Stars, but I certainly regard Nelson Mandela with great respect and humility. ~ Ian Astbury, #NFDB
1363:My parents worked really hard at communicating other values they felt were important, such as integrity, courage, humility, treating others with dignity and respect, and having a thirst for knowledge. ~ Charles Koch, #NFDB
1364:We are all lone souls. It pays to know humility, lest the delusion of control, of mastery, overwhelms. And, indeed, we seem a species prone to that delusion, again and ever again." ~Fiddler, pg. 558 ~ Steven Erikson, #NFDB
1365:We need mystery,” she said. “Creator in her wisdom knew this. Mystery fills us with awe and wonder. They are the foundations of humility, and humility, grandson, is the foundation of all learning. ~ Richard Wagamese, #NFDB
1366:When youu take the time to actually listen, with humility, to what people have to say, it's amazing what you can learn. Especially if the people who are doing the talking also happen to be children. ~ Greg Mortenson, #NFDB
1367:As entrepreneurs, we must continue to ask ourselves 'What's next?' It takes humility to realize that we don't know everything, not to rest on our laurels and know that we must keep learning and observing. ~ Cher Wang, #NFDB
1368:I don't have a set of tenets, but I live an ethical life. I practice a humility that presupposes there's a power greater than myself. And I always believe, don't inflict harm where it's not necessary. ~ Michael J Fox, #NFDB
1369:It was the first time it had ever occurred to me, that this detestable cant of false humility might have originated out of the Heep family. I had seen the harvest, but had never thought of the seed. ~ Charles Dickens, #NFDB
1370:The best way to ensure that we do not become demonic is to maintain an old-fashioned reverence for the higher forces. This, alas, requires humility, which the modern condition finds almost unattainable. ~ David Tacey, #NFDB
1371:We see how many tricks they try, how many pursuits they exhaust themselves with in order to secure the objects of their ambition or greed, while trying to avoid, on the other hand, poverty and humility. ~ John Calvin, #NFDB
1372:We will also go wrong in our doctrine when we exalt ourselves and ignore our traditions. A little humility and awareness of our heritage will go a long way toward keeping us on the path of sound doctrine. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
1373:Honesty,sincer ity,simplicity, humility, pure generosity,abse nce of vanity,readines s to serve others -qualities which are within easy reach of every soul -are the foundation of one's spiritual life. ~ Nelson Mandela, #NFDB
1374:Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is the first duty of the creature, and the root of every good quality. Likewise, pride, or the loss of this humility, is the root of every sin and evil. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
1375:It’s very hard to master and if you’re not learning all the time, you will fail. That being said, humility in the face of the game is extremely different than humility in the face of your opponents. ~ Philip E Tetlock, #NFDB
1376:Love without humility results in the inclination to act as everyone's parent, humility without love results in the need to be everyone's child, and love with humility results in the desire to be a friend. ~ Criss Jami, #NFDB
1377:My father is one of the few men I've known who has genuine humility, and it lends him a natural dignity. He has absolutely no ego drive, and so he is one of the most beloved men in this part of the state. ~ Harper Lee, #NFDB
1378:These then are the marks of the ideal Church - love, suffering, holiness, sound doctrine, genuineness, evangelism and humility. They are what Christ desires to find in His churches as He walks among them. ~ John Stott, #NFDB
1379:As fire does not give birth to snow, so those who seek honor here will not enjoy it in heaven... As those who climb a rotten ladder are in danger, so all honor, glory, and power are opposed to humility. ~ John Climacus, #NFDB
1380:Get your emotions under control and your life under control. Work really hard and don't make a big deal out of yourself. Have humility. Believe in yourself. Don't get a fanatical fixation on a teacher. ~ Frederick Lenz, #NFDB
1381:I feel my soul as vast as the world, truly a soul as deep as the deepest of rivers; my chest has the power to expand to infinity. I was made to give and they prescribe for me the humility of the cripple. ~ Frantz Fanon, #NFDB
1382:So much about living life, to me, is about humility and gratitude. And I've tried very hard to have those qualities and be that person and I'm just so disappointed in myself that I allowed it to slip. ~ Katherine Heigl, #NFDB
1383:Too many people in government seem to think they are above regular folks, and I said I would expect humility in the way each member of my team served- that they would recognize that the taxpayer is boss. ~ Mark Sanford, #NFDB
1384:but his cares had been directed to the understanding and manners, not the disposition; and of the necessity of self-denial and humility, he feared they had never heard from any lips that could profit them. ~ Jane Austen, #NFDB
1385:Humility was an important part of the way I grew up. And I found that to be less common when I moved to California. That's not to say humble people don't exist there, but ambition seems really important. ~ Anna Kendrick, #NFDB
1386:I believe the best managers acknowledge and make room for what they do not know—not just because humility is a virtue but because until one adopts that mindset, the most striking breakthroughs cannot occur. ~ Ed Catmull, #NFDB
1387:There is no harm in our criticizing foreigners, if only we would also criticize ourselves. In other words, the world might need even less of its new charity, if it had a little more of the old humility. ~ G K Chesterton, #NFDB
1388:As long as we refuse to accept that our pride is the source of our unrest, we will continue to wither on the vine. "Humility, that low, sweet root / From which all heavenly virtues shoot." —Thomas Moore ~ Hannah Anderson, #NFDB
1389:even though clients require us to be competent enough to meet their needs, it is ultimately our honesty, humility, and selflessness that will endear us to them and allow them to trust and depend on us. ~ Patrick Lencioni, #NFDB
1390:Humility is the great preserver of peace and order in all Christian churches and societies, consequently pride is the great disturber of them, and the cause of most dissensions and breaches in the church. ~ Matthew Henry, #NFDB
1391:Learn that there will be hours, days and months ahead of feeling absolutely terrible and nothing can change that; neither new girlfriends, health professionals, changes of diet, dope, humility, or God. ~ Charles Bukowski, #NFDB
1392:Submission and humility will not protect you from the injustices of this war. Nothing can. But clarity, and solidarity in action, will allow you to fight back - and to keep sane, no matter what happens. ~ Phyllis Chesler, #NFDB
1393:though humility and acknowledgement of one's real failings is good, the gratuitous eating of worms not put before us by God does not nourish our souls a bit - merely in fact upsets the spiritual tummy. ~ Evelyn Underhill, #NFDB
1394:Have you ever considered making at least a pretense of humility, Mr. Hunt? Just for the sake of politeness?
“I don’t believe in false modesty.”
“People might like you more if you did.”
“Would you? ~ Lisa Kleypas,#NFDB
1395:If you ask, what is the first step in the way of truth? I answer humility," saith St. Austin. "If you ask, what is the second? I say humility. If you ask, what is the third? I answer the same - humility. ~ Antony C Sutton, #NFDB
1396:In naturalism, man is actually very insignificant, but arrogates to himself stupendous power. In Christianity, man is actually the apex of created significance, but is called to see it in abject humility. ~ Ravi Zacharias, #NFDB
1397:Yet as human beings we have to accept-with humility-that the question of ultimate origins will always remain with us, no matter how deeply we understand the brain and the cosmos that it creates. ~ Vilayanur S Ramachandran, #NFDB
1398:You must therefore conceal from the patient the true end of humility. Let him think of it not as self-forgetfulness but as a certain kind of opinion (namely, a little opinion) of his own talents and character. ~ C S Lewis, #NFDB
1399:By these things examine thyself. By whose rules am I acting; in whose name; in whose strength; in whose glory? What faith, humility, self-denial, and love of God and to man have there been in all my actions? ~ Jackie Mason, #NFDB
1400:Every good thing in the Christian life grows in the soil of humility. Without humility, every virtue and every grace withers. That’s why Calvin said humility is first, second, and third in the Christian faith. ~ John Piper, #NFDB
1401:Real greatness is often hidden, humble, simple, and unobtrusive. It is not easy to trust ourselves and our actions without public affirmation. We must have strong self-confidence combined with deep humility. ~ Henri Nouwen, #NFDB
1402:Seek the LORD, x all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; [2] y seek righteousness; seek humility; y perhaps z you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
1403:But in the present day men cast off gentleness, and are all for being bold; they spurn frugality, and retain only extravagance; they discard humility, and aim only at being first. Therefore they shall surely perish. ~ Laozi, #NFDB
1404:Do not think yourself big or small, very important or very unimportant; for we are nothing in ourselves. We must only live to become what the Divine wills of us.
~ The Mother, Words Of The Mother II, Humility and Modesty,#NFDB
1405:I've learned that humility is not such a bad thing, and that strength can be found through submission. I've learned that I am not always right, and that being wroing is not a bad thing, nor is it weakness. ~ Belinda McBride, #NFDB
1406:Look at your weaknesses, not at your strengths, and pay attention to what you still need to do, instead of rehearsing in your mind what you’ve already accomplished. This is the best way to get and keep humility. ~ Anonymous, #NFDB
1407:Humility is not denying your strengths. Humility is being honest about your weaknesses. All of us are a bundle of both great strengths and great weaknesses and humility is being able to be honest about both. ~ John C Maxwell, #NFDB
1408:Pride tells us that all we have to do is organize well enough, plan effectively enough, and work hard enough and we can achieve our dreams. Humility teaches us that it was never up to us in the first place. ~ Hannah Anderson, #NFDB
1409:The Master views the parts with compassion, because he understands the whole. His constant practice is humility. He doesn't glitter like a jewel but lets himself be shaped by the Tao, as rugged and common as a stone. ~ Laozi, #NFDB
1410:You see, between us and God’s wisdom is a valley, a place of humility. We have to lay aside worldly wisdom. We have to become fools in the eyes of the world in order that we may really enter into God’s wisdom. ~ Derek Prince, #NFDB
1411:Humility, the place of entire dependence upon God, is from the very nature of things the first duty and the highest virtue of His creatures. And so pride—the loss of humility—is the root of every sin and evil. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
1412:In some matters," he said, "it is better to be intellectually uncertain rather than superficially sure. This will still leave us with a great deal to be certain about, while maintaining a humility to learn. ~ S Michael Wilcox, #NFDB
1413:Man approaches God most nearly when he is in one sense least like God. For what can be more unlike than fullness and need, sovereignty and humility, righteousness and penitence, limitless power and a cry for help? ~ C S Lewis, #NFDB
1414:The crimes you paid for as a parent: excruciating, to be blamed for something you'd never dreamt of doing, or huring someone you'd give your heart's blood to...One thing you learned as a parent was humility. ~ Roxana Robinson, #NFDB
1415:Through prayer, charity and humility before God, people receive a heart which is firm and merciful, attentive and generous, a heart which is not closed, indifferent or prey to the globalization of indifference. ~ Pope Francis, #NFDB
1416:Catch {a man} at the moment when he is really poor in spirit and smuggle into his mind the gratifying reflection, "By jove, I'm being humble," and almost immediately pride - pride at his own humility - will appear. ~ C S Lewis, #NFDB
1417:Everywhere, at each moment, you have the option: • to accept this event with humility • to treat this person as he should be treated • to approach this thought with care, so that nothing irrational creeps in. ~ Marcus Aurelius, #NFDB
1418:- I hope this'll teach you a little humility at least. (...) It's good to be reminded of one's mortality from time to time (...) Though perhaps in future you could find a slightly less extreme way of doing it. ~ Benedict Jacka, #NFDB
1419:I think we would do much better as a whole if we focused more compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience than on how all the non-Christians are ruining society with their bad behavior and politics. ~ Kelly Minter, #NFDB
1420:The Christian gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued and that Jesus was glad to die for me. This leads to deep humility and deep confidence at the same time. ~ Timothy J Keller, #NFDB
1421:The thing we would remember from meeting a truly gospel-humble person is how much they seemed to be totally interested in us. Because the essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking ~ Timothy J Keller, #NFDB
1422:Virtually all native cultures that have survived without fouling their nests have acknowledged that nature knows best, and have had the humility to ask the bears and wolves and ravens and redwoods for guidance. ~ Janine Benyus, #NFDB
1423:We cannot carry the gospel to the poor and lowly while emulating the practices of the rich and powerful. We’ve been invited into a story that begins with humility and ends with glory; never the other way around. ~ Jen Hatmaker, #NFDB
1424:You might say I’m an advocate for humility in leaders. But to be truly humble, those leaders must first understand how many of the factors that shape their lives and businesses are—and will always be—out of sight. ~ Ed Catmull, #NFDB
1425:I have often thought that my work with wildlife taught me the meaning of patience, and my work with the big trees taught me the meaning of humility, and my work with the ice has taught me the meaning of mortality. ~ James Balog, #NFDB
1426:Oh, Punky. You should afford to have a bit more humility. But the first goal is for you to stop cursing so much."
"Fuck that," Caroline said.
"You're failing miserably."
"I haven't even started yet. ~ Cecilia London,#NFDB
1427:As I have said, the first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself... Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, of honesty, but humility. ~ Nelson Mandela, #NFDB
1428:religion meant when they said that humility is the greatest of virtues,” she later wrote, “and if you can’t learn it, God will teach it to you by humiliation. Only so can a man be really great, and it was in those ~ David Brooks, #NFDB
1429:What doth it profit thee to enter into deep discussion concerning the Holy Trinity, if thou lack humility, and be thus displeasing to the Trinity? For verily it is not deep words that make a man holy and upright; ~ Thomas Kempis, #NFDB
1430:Americans to bow our heads in humility before our Heavenly Father, a God who calls us not to judge our neighbors, but to love them, to ask His guidance upon our nation and its leaders in every level of government. ~ George W Bush, #NFDB
1431:Every leader should have enough humility to accept, publicly, the responsibility for the mistakes of the subordinates he has himself selected and, likewise, to give them credit, publicly, for their triumphs. ~ Dwight D Eisenhower, #NFDB
1432:My faith instills in me a deep sense of humility and gratitude, reminding me how often I fall short and how much I need the savior, and how thankful I am that God has done for us what we could not do for ourselves. ~ Karen Hughes, #NFDB
1433:Real success requires respect for and faithfulness to the highest human values-honesty, integrity, self-discipline, dignity, compassion, humility, courage, personal responsibility, courtesy, and human service. ~ Michael E DeBakey, #NFDB
1434:Almost every single person that I've worked with - whether it's been George Clooney or Robert DeNiro or Harvey Keitel, or whoever - the quality that I find that's most consistent in most of the people is the humility. ~ Malik Yoba, #NFDB
1435:If humility were not self-forgetfulness, any virtuous person would have the practical dilemma of either directing his attention to his own virtue, which naturally leads to pride, or denying it, which would be a lie. ~ Peter Kreeft, #NFDB
1436:I still feel there is a case to be made for my old belief that as man approaches the 'new heaven and the new earth' -- or the space-age universe, if you will, he must do so with humility rather than with arrogance. ~ Rachel Carson, #NFDB
1437:Learn, he says, that there will be hours, days and months ahead of feeling absolutely terrible and nothing can change that; neither new girlfriends, health professionals, changes of diet, dope, humility, or God. ~ Charles Bukowski, #NFDB
1438:Remember, the Muse favors working stiffs. She hates prima donnas. To the gods the supreme sin is not rape or murder, but pride. To think of yourself as a mercenary, a gun for hire, implants the proper humility. ~ Steven Pressfield, #NFDB
1439:The actor that taught me the most was Bernie Mac. I did my first big budget studio film with he and Angela Bassett, 'Mr. 3000' for Disney. Bernie taught me by example what creates success is humility and hard work. ~ Brian J White, #NFDB
1440:...There is a great need of more familiarity with the Scriptures and their teaching in order that we may be crushed to our knees with a sense of humility and be made to cry to God that He would visit us again. ~ Martyn Lloyd Jones, #NFDB
1441:All the world’s follies,” he replied, “turn up in publishing houses sooner or later. But the world’s follies may also contain flashes of the wisdom of the Most High, so the wise man observes folly with humility.” Then ~ Umberto Eco, #NFDB
1442:Gently eliminating all obstacles to his own understanding, he constantly maintains his unconditional sincerity. His humility, perseverance, and adaptability evoke the response of the universe and fill him with divine light. ~ Laozi, #NFDB
1443:Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is the first duty and the highest virtue of the creature, and the root of every virtue. And so pride, or the loss of this humility, is the root of every sin and evil. ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
1444:I know human nature," said Harriet, "and I know proud women for I was proud myself once; and if I'm not now humility is no virtue in me, for it was the arthritis taught me different. It took away my independence. ~ Elizabeth Goudge, #NFDB
1445:It scares them because of the forced intimacy with a place that gives nothing back to a stranger, a place where the land and its weather—probably the most violent and extreme on earth—demand only one thing: humility. ~ Timothy Egan, #NFDB
1446:It seems to me that every step forward in my life has been one that brings me to a better understanding of this: that you do your thing every day the best that you can, and you approach any success at it with humility. ~ Val Kilmer, #NFDB
1447:Learning to accept failure on multiple levels is, to my way of thinking, the key to become a world-class therapist. But that means humility, and setting your ego aside, while you develop superb new technical skills. ~ David D Burns, #NFDB
1448:Let any man turn to God in earnest, let him begin to exercise himself unto godliness, let him seek to develop his powers of spiritual receptivity by trust and obedience and humility, and the results will exceed anything ~ A W Tozer, #NFDB
1449:nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3–4). ~ Tim Kimmel, #NFDB
1450:One must be willing to stand alone - in the unknown, with no reference to authority or the past or any of one's conditioning. One must stand where no one has stood before in complete nakedness, innocence, and humility. ~ Adyashanti, #NFDB
1451:The competent programmer is fully aware of the strictly limited size of his own skull; therefore he approaches the programming task in full humility, and among other things he avoids clever tricks like the plague. ~ Edsger Dijkstra, #NFDB
1452:The journey will be difficult. The road will be long. I face this challenge with profound humility, and knowledge of my own limitations. But I also face it with limitless faith in the capacity of the American people. ~ Barack Obama, #NFDB
1453:The reality is that everybody makes mistakes. The issue isn't whether you will make them, it's what you will do about them. It's whether you will choose the path of humility and courage or the path of ego and pride. ~ Stephen Covey, #NFDB
1454:There are some in the church who are very good at presenting the appearance of humility and sacrifice, all for selfish, vainglorious reasons. They enjoy their reputations as servants more than they enjoy the gospel. ~ Matt Chandler, #NFDB
1455:wisdom isn’t about sticking to a set of rules or hitting some imaginary bull’s-eye representing “God’s will.” Wisdom is a way of life, a journey of humility and faithfulness we take together, one step at a time. ~ Rachel Held Evans, #NFDB
1456:His director told him, as material food was necessary for the body life, spiritual food is necessary for spiritual life. This was result of his consciousness of humility, certainty that whatever he had to do was right. ~ Leo Tolstoy, #NFDB
1457:I have three treasures which I hold and keep. The first is mercy; the second is economy. The third is daring not to be ahead of others. From mercy comes courage; from economy comes generosity; From humility comes leadership. ~ Laozi, #NFDB
1458:I tell my kids and I tell proteges, always have humility when you create and grace when you succeed, because its not about you. You are a terminal for a higher power. As soon as you accept that, you can do it forever. ~ Quincy Jones, #NFDB
1459:O son, thou hast not true humility, The highest virtue, mother of them all; But her thou hast not know; for what is this? Thou thoughtest of thy prowess and thy sins Thou hast not lost thyself to save thyself. ~ Alfred Lord Tennyson, #NFDB
1460:That his daughter is so curious, so resilient. There is the humility of being a father to someone so powerful, as if he were only a narrow conduit for another, greater thing. That’s how it feels right now, he thinks, ~ Anthony Doerr, #NFDB
1461:Why did you act in this way, you pitiable ones? Make a bow of repentance, recognize your fault, be sorry for your nakedness. Neither one of them could blame himself, neither of them had the least bit of humility. ~ Dorotheus of Gaza, #NFDB
1462:Worship means reverence and humility. It means revering your real self and humbling delusions. If you can wipe out evil desires and harbor good thoughts, even if nothing shows, it's worship. Such form is its real form. ~ Bodhidharma, #NFDB
1463:Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation. ~ Saint Augustine, #NFDB
1464:Gently eliminating all obstacles to his own understanding, he constantly maintains his unconditional sincerity. His humility, perseverance, and adaptability evoke the response of the universe and fill him with divine light. ~ Lao Tzu, #NFDB
1465:God, through the Law, His alien
work, brings man to despair and humility and to a recognition of his
need, and through the Gospel, His appropriate work, He gives man faith
and the knowledge of His forgiveness. ~ Joel R Beeke,#NFDB
1466:I make these little films. I'm just a working person. I just study people a little bit more. It's more sociological, and it's funny anyway - not that serious. It's not like false humility. I just take it for what it is. ~ Julie Delpy, #NFDB
1467:Solomon was commissioned by angels to build a temple for storing the Ark of the Covenant. He was offered any payment he could imagine, but he only asked for wisdom. To reward his humility, he was granted magic powers ~ Craig Schaefer, #NFDB
1468:We are all lone souls. It pays to know humility, lest the delusion of control, of mastery, overwhelms. And, indeed, we seem a species prone to that delusion, again and ever again." ~ Steven EriksonFiddler, pg. 558 ~ Steven Erikson, #NFDB
1469:You just don't understand humility until you have children and get divorced. I was very hurt and very angry and so was she. But when kids are involved, you either become friends with respect or you become mortal enemies. ~ Val Kilmer, #NFDB
1470:But it is part of the discipline of humility that we must not spare our hand where it can perform a service and that we do not assume that our schedule is our own to manage, but allow it it to be arranged by God. ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer, #NFDB
1471:But we need to pray daily for humility and honesty to see these sinful attitudes for that they really are, and then for grace and discipline to root them out of our minds and replace them with thoughts pleasing to God. ~ Jerry Bridges, #NFDB
1472:I deserted the world and sought solitude because I became tired of rendering courtesy to those multitudes who believe that humility is a sort of weakness, and mercy a kind of cowardice, and snobbery a form of strength. ~ Khalil Gibran, #NFDB
1473:Religious tolerance has developed more as a consequence of the impotence of religions to impose their dogmas on each other than as a consequence of spiritual humility in the quest for understanding first and last things. ~ Sidney Hook, #NFDB
1474:The contemplative is not isolated in himself, but liberated from his external and egotistic self by humility and purity of heart—therefore there is no longer any serious obstacle to simple and humble love of other men. ~ Thomas Merton, #NFDB
1475:Truth has drawn me into the field of politics; and I can say without the slightest hesitation, and yet in all humility, that those who say that religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion means. ~ Mahatma Gandhi, #NFDB
1476:Mortality is a cause for humility, she said to me. None of us knows when he might be taken, as your blessed father was taken. Death, like birth, comes to us all, regardless of rank or station in life. ~ Sena Jeter Naslund, #NFDB
1477:I think a writer should always be surprised; and the more I write, the more it seems that the language itself, when explored with humility, is always deeper and more accurate than what the author thought he had in mind. ~ Ciaran Carson, #NFDB
1478:It is often found that modesty and humility not only do no good, but are positively hurtful, when they are shown to the arrogant who have taken up a prejudice against you, either from envy or from any other cause. ~ Niccolo Machiavelli, #NFDB
1479:It seemed to her there was a peacefulness about him that came with resignation, with the extinction of that last hope, like a perfect humility undistracted by the possible, the unrealized, the yet to be determined. ~ Marilynne Robinson, #NFDB
1480:My varnashram refuses to bow the head before the greatest potentate on earth, but my varnashram compels me to bow down my head in all humility before knowledge, purity, before every person where I see God face to face. ~ Mahatma Gandhi, #NFDB
1481:One of the fundamental points about religious humility is you say you don't know about the ultimate judgment. It's beyond your judgment. And if you equate God's judgment with your judgment, you have a wrong religion. ~ Reinhold Niebuhr, #NFDB
1482:We cannot know a man's nature when all does go well with him, but when those people he thinks will assist him oppose him instead, then we know, for a man has the patience and humility that he shows then, and no more. ~ Susanna Kearsley, #NFDB
1483:Here’s why I’m a fan of thanking our lucky stars every day: it helps with forgiving yourself your failures; it cuts down on celebrity worship and boosts humility; and, perhaps most important, it makes us more compassionate. ~ A J Jacobs, #NFDB
1484:I don't doubt for a second that Neil Armstrong's spirit is still with us: that unique blend of optimism, humility and the utter confidence that when the world needs someone to do the really big stuff, you need an American. ~ Mitt Romney, #NFDB
1485:I don’t like when people minimize their gifts. There is a difference between humility and insecurity, and self-effacement does no one any favors. We teach our watching children to doubt and excuse and diminish themselves. ~ Jen Hatmaker, #NFDB
1486:Plutarch has a fine expression, with regard to some woman of learning, humility, and virtue;--that her ornaments were such as might be purchased without money, and would render any woman's life both glorious and happy. ~ Laurence Sterne, #NFDB
1487:Under the blessings of Divine Providence... It becomes us, in humility, to make our devout acknowledgments to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, for the inestimable civil and religious blessings with which we are favored. ~ James K Polk, #NFDB
1488:you cannot produce trust, just as you cannot ‘do’ humility. It either is or is not. Trust is the fruit of a relationship in which you know you are loved. Because you do not know that I love you, you cannot trust me. ~ William Paul Young, #NFDB
1489:Cultural humility” acknowledges that doctors bring the baggage of their own cultures—their own ethnic backgrounds along with the culture of medicine—to the patient’s bedside, and that these may not necessarily be superior. ~ Anne Fadiman, #NFDB
1490:Culture matters. Of course, if physicians are rewarded or penalized for their service and results, the culture will change. But the key values we doctors are being pressed to embrace are humility, teamwork, and discipline. ~ Atul Gawande, #NFDB
1491:I can rise above the humility of my failure with an intense desire to search deeper and a blind faith that some day my sight may pierce through the veils that hide. I know God's face is there if I keep my gaze steady enough. ~ Emily Carr, #NFDB
1492:Isn’t it strange how we must surrender being right in order to find what’s right, how humility enables us to be authentic, vulnerable, trustworthy, and intimate with others? People are open to those who are open to them. ~ John C Maxwell, #NFDB
1493:It appears as a wholly-Other, superior, incomprehensible, and mysterious power with passion, emotion, and will that elicits from us a sense of creatureliness, humility, submission, respect, reverence, and worship. From ~ Robert J Spitzer, #NFDB
1494:The first test of a truly great man is his humility. By humility I don't mean doubt of his powers or hesitation in speaking his opinion, but merely an understanding of the relationship of what he can say and what he can do. ~ John Ruskin, #NFDB
1495:There are no better cosmetics than a severe temperance and purity, modesty and humility, a gracious temper and calmness of spirit; and there is no true beauty without the signatures of these graces in the very countenance. ~ Arthur Helps, #NFDB
1496:There is one common thing in superstars - enthusiasm and humility towards their work. Off sets, they are big stars for others, and they carry themselves the way they want to. When they are working, they are not stars. ~ Abhishek Bachchan, #NFDB
1497:all streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are. humility gives it its power. if you want to govern the people, you must place yourself below them. if you want to lead the people, you must learn how to follow them. ~ Lao Tzu, #NFDB
1498:Besides, humility had always seemed to him a specious thing, invented for the comfort of others; you were praised for humility by people because you did not make them feel any more lacking than they already did. ~ Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, #NFDB
1499:He has learnt that in putting on the Lord Jesus he has put on the heart of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and long-suffering. Jesus has taken the place of self, and it is not an impossibility to forgive as Jesus ~ Andrew Murray, #NFDB
1500:In all teaching there must be a fusion of authority as an adult providing a stable framework for the children in one's care, and humility as another human being ready to educate an equal who may turn out to be a superior. ~ Yehudi Menuhin, #NFDB
70 Integral Yoga
27 Poetry
20 Christianity
18 Philosophy
11 Yoga
5 Psychology
5 Occultism
5 Islam
3 Mysticism
2 Sufism
2 Hinduism
2 Baha i Faith
1 Philsophy
1 Fiction
1 Education
1 Alchemy
41 The Mother
21 Satprem
20 Sri Aurobindo
18 Saint Teresa of Avila
18 Saint John of Climacus
17 Saint Augustine of Hippo
16 Nolini Kanta Gupta
11 Aldous Huxley
9 Sri Ramakrishna
6 A B Purani
5 William Wordsworth
5 Muhammad
4 Saint Francis of Assisi
4 Friedrich Nietzsche
3 Thubten Chodron
3 Swami Sivananda Saraswati
3 Sri Ramana Maharshi
3 Jordan Peterson
3 Aleister Crowley
2 William Butler Yeats
2 Vyasa
2 Rudolf Steiner
2 Jorge Luis Borges
2 Friedrich Schiller
2 Carl Jung
2 Baha u llah
2 Anonymous
18 The Ladder of Divine Ascent
12 City of God
11 The Perennial Philosophy
9 The Way of Perfection
9 The Interior Castle or The Mansions
8 The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna
6 The Confessions of Saint Augustine
6 Letters On Yoga II
6 Evening Talks With Sri Aurobindo
5 Wordsworth - Poems
5 Quran
5 Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol 03
5 Agenda Vol 13
4 Words Of The Mother II
4 Talks
4 Questions And Answers 1956
4 Questions And Answers 1954
4 Letters On Yoga IV
4 Agenda Vol 08
4 Agenda Vol 01
3 Some Answers From The Mother
3 Maps of Meaning
3 How to Free Your Mind - Tara the Liberator
3 Dark Night of the Soul
3 Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol 04
3 Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol 01
2 Yeats - Poems
2 Vishnu Purana
2 Twilight of the Idols
2 Thus Spoke Zarathustra
2 The Practice of Psycho therapy
2 The Bible
2 Schiller - Poems
2 Questions And Answers 1953
2 Prayers And Meditations
2 Magick Without Tears
2 Knowledge of the Higher Worlds
2 Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol 08
2 Amrita Gita
2 Agenda Vol 03
00.01 - The Mother on Savitri, #Sweet Mother - Harmonies of Light, #unset, #Zen
You know, before writing Savitri Sri Aurobindo said to me, *I am impelled to launch on a new adventure; I was hesitant in the beginning, but now I am decided. Still, I do not know how far I shall succeed. I pray for help.* And you know what it was? It was - before beginning, I warn you in advance - it was His way of speaking, so full of divine Humility and modesty. He never... *asserted Himself*. And the day He actually began it, He told me: *I have launched myself in a rudderless boat upon the vastness of the Infinite.* And once having started, He wrote page after page without intermission, as though it were a thing already complete up there and He had only to transcribe it in ink down here on these pages.
In truth, the entire form of Savitri has descended "en masse" from the highest region and Sri Aurobindo with His genius only arranged the lines - in a superb and magnificent style. Sometimes entire lines were revealed and He has left them intact; He worked hard, untiringly, so that the inspiration could come from the highest possible summit. And what a work He has created! Yes, it is a true creation in itself. It is an unequalled work. Everything is there, and it is put in such a simple, such a clear form; verses perfectly harmonious, limpid and eternally true. My child, I have read so many things, but I have never come across anything which could be compared with Savitri. I have studied the best works in Greek, Latin, English and of course French literature, also in German and all the great creations of the West and the East, including the great epics; but I repeat it, I have not found anywhere anything comparable with Savitri. All these literary works seems to me empty, flat, hollow, without any deep reality - apart from a few rare exceptions, and these too represent only a small fraction of what Savitri is. What grandeur, what amplitude, what reality: it is something immortal and eternal He has created. I tell you once again there is nothing like in it the whole world. Even if one puts aside the vision of the reality, that is, the essential substance which is the heart of the inspiration, and considers only the lines in themselves, one will find them unique, of the highest classical kind. What He has created is something man cannot imagine. For, everything is there, everything.
0.00 - THE GOSPEL PREFACE, #The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, #Sri Ramakrishna, #Hinduism
"M", as the author modestly styles himself, was peculiarly qualified for his task. To a reverent love for his master, to a deep and experiential knowledge of that master's teaching, he added a prodigious memory for the small happenings of each day and a happy gift for recording them in an interesting and realistic way. Making good use of his natural gifts and of the circumstances in which he found himself, "M" produced a book unique, so far as my knowledge goes, in the literature of hagiography. No other saint has had so able and indefatigable a Boswell. Never have the small events of a contemplative's daily life been described with such a wealth of intimate detail. Never have the casual and unstudied utterances of a great religious teacher been set down with so minute a fidelity. To Western readers, it is true, this fidelity and this wealth of detail are sometimes a trifle disconcerting; for the social, religious and intellectual frames of reference within which Sri Ramakrishna did his thinking and expressed his feelings were entirely Indian. But after the first few surprises and bewilderments, we begin to find something peculiarly stimulating and instructive about the very strangeness and, to our eyes, the eccentricity of the man revealed to us in "M's" narrative. What a scholastic philosopher would call the "accidents" of Ramakrishna's life were intensely Hindu and therefore, so far as we in the West are concerned, unfamiliar and hard to understand; its "essence", however, was intensely mystical and therefore universal. To read through these conversations in which mystical doctrine alternates with an unfamiliar kind of humour, and where discussions of the oddest aspects of Hindu mythology give place to the most profound and subtle utterances about the nature of Ultimate Reality, is in itself a liberal, education in Humility, tolerance and suspense of judgment. We must be grateful to the translator for his excellent version of a book so curious and delightful as a biographical document, so precious, at the same time, for what it teaches us of the life of the spirit.
--------------------
--
During the Master's lifetime M. does not seem to have revealed the contents of his diary to any one. There is an unconfirmed tradition that when the Master saw him taking notes, he expressed apprehension at the possibility of his utilising these to publicise him like Keshab Sen; for the Great Master was so full of the spirit of renunciation and Humility that he disliked being lionised. It must be for this reason that no one knew about this precious diary of M. for a decade until he brought out selections from it as a pamphlet in English in 1897 with the Holy Mother's blessings and permission. The Holy Mother, being very much pleased to hear parts of the diary read to her in Bengali, wrote to M.: "When I heard the Kathmrita, (Bengali name of the book) I felt as if it was he, the Master, who was saying all that." ( Ibid Part I. P 37.)
The two pamphlets in English entitled the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna appeared in October and November 1897. They drew the spontaneous acclamation of Swami Vivekananda, who wrote on 24th November of that year from Dehra Dun to M.:"Many many thanks for your second leaflet. It is indeed wonderful. The move is quite original, and never was the life of a Great Teacher brought before the public untarnished by the writer's mind, as you are doing. The language also is beyond all praise, so fresh, so pointed, and withal so plain and easy. I cannot express in adequate terms how I have enjoyed them. I am really in a transport when I read them. Strange, isn't it? Our Teacher and Lord was so original, and each one of us will have to be original or nothing.
0.06 - Letters to a Young Sadhak, #Some Answers From The Mother, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
True Humility lies in not judging oneself and in letting the Divine
determine our real worth.
Perhaps my vanity was better than this Humility which
so casts me down.
0.09 - Letters to a Young Teacher, #Some Answers From The Mother, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
aspiration, but also a sincere Humility and an absolute trust.
17 October 1960
0.14 - Letters to a Sadhak, #Some Answers From The Mother, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
Sincerity, Humility, perseverance and an insatiable thirst for
progress are essential for a happy and fruitful life. Above all, one
0 1955-10-19, #Agenda Vol 01, #unset, #Zen
1) To prostrate oneself at His feet in a surrender of all pride, with a perfect Humility.
2) To unfold ones being before Him, to open entirely ones body from head to toe, as one opens a book, spreading open ones centers so as to make all their movements visible in a total SINCERITY that allows nothing to remain hidden.
0 1957-11-12, #Agenda Vol 01, #unset, #Zen
These three categories of tests are: those conducted by the forces of Nature, those conducted by the spiritual and divine forces, and those conducted by the hostile forces. This latter category is the most deceptive in its appearance, and a constant state of vigilance, sincerity and Humility is required so as not to be caught by surprise or unprepared.
The most commonplace circumstances, people, the everyday events of life, the most seemingly insignificant things, all belong to one or another of these three categories of examiners. In this considerably complex organization of tests, those events generally considered the most important in life are really the easiest of all examinations to pass, for they find you prepared and on your guard. One stumbles more easily over the little pebbles on the path, for they attract no attention.
--
For the tests stemming from the hostile forces: vigilance, sincerity and Humility.
But do not imagine that those who are tested are on one side and those who test on the other; depending upon the times and circumstances, we are both examiners and examined, and it may even happen that simultaneously, at the very same moment, we are the examined and the examiner. And whatever benefits we derive depend, in both quality and quantity, upon the intensity of our aspiration and the alertness of our consciousness.
0 1957-12-21, #Agenda Vol 01, #unset, #Zen
Humility, a perfect Humility, is the condition for all realization. The mind is so cocksure. It thinks it knows everything, understands everything. And if ever it acts through idealism to serve a cause that appears noble to it, it becomes even more arrogant more intransigent, and it is almost impossible to make it see that there might be something still higher beyond its noble conceptions and its great altruistic or other ideals. Humility is the only remedy. I am not speaking of Humility as conceived by certain religions, with this God that belittles his creatures and only likes to see them down on their knees. When I was a child, this kind of Humility revolted me, and I refused to believe in a God that wants to belittle his creatures. I dont mean that kind of Humility, but rather the recognition that one does not know, that one knows nothing, and that there may be something beyond what presently appears to us as the truest, the most noble or disinterested. True Humility consists in constantly referring oneself to the Lord, in placing all before Him. When I receive a blow (and there are quite a few of them in my sadhana), my immediate, spontaneous reaction, like a spring, is to throw myself before Him and to say, Thou, Lord. Without this Humility, I would never have been able to realize anything. And I say I only to make myself understood, but in fact I means the Lord through this body, his instrument. When you begin living THIS kind of Humility, it means you are drawing nearer to the realization. It is the condition, the starting point.
***
0 1960-05-16, #Agenda Vol 01, #unset, #Zen
If there is one fundamental necessity, it is Humility. To be humble. Not humble as it is normally understood, such as merely saying, I am so small, Im nothing at allno, something else Because the pitfalls are innumerable, and the further you progress in yoga, the more subtle they become, and the more the ego masks itself behind marvelous and saintly appearances. So when somebody says, I no longer want to rely on anything but Him. I want to close my eyes and rest in Him alone, this comfortable Him, which is exactly what you want him to be, is the egoor a formidable Asura, or a Titan (depending on each ones capacity). Theyre all over the earth, the earth is their domain. So the first thing to do is to pocket your egonot preserve it, but get rid of it as soon as possible!
You can be sure that the God youve created is a God of the ego whenever something within you insists, This is what I feel, this is what I think, this is what I see; its my way, my very ownits my way of being, my way of understanding, my relationship with the Divine, etc.
0 1961-10-30, #Agenda Vol 02, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
Since the time of Adam, it seems we have been choosing to eat of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, and there can be no half-measures or regrets along this way, for if we remain prostrate in a false Humility, our noses in the dust, the titans or the djinns among us will know all too well how to snatch the Power left unclaimed; this is in fact what they are doingthey would crush the god within us. It is a question of knowingyes or nowhether we want to escape once again into our various paradises, abandoning the earth to the hands of Darkness, or find and seize hold of the Power to refashion this earth into a diviner imagein the words of the Rishis, make earth and heaven equal and one.
There is obviously a Secret, and all the traditions bear witness to it the Rishis, the Mages of Iran, the priests of Chaldea or Memphis or Yucatan.
0 1962-06-02, #Agenda Vol 03, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
Last night I spent almost all my time in such a building. And all the people who help the work were symbolized there but its always a material help, either work or money or. I remember being particularly struck by one character last night. (Again, there were a lot of aggravations, but someone or something was always on the scene when I arrived and it all sorted itself outit was the exact opposite of the dreams I was talking about the other day: all the difficulties sorted themselves out when I arrived.) Then I came to a rather difficult place to cross (you had to flounder about on slippery scaffoldings) and suddenly, facing me, there was a man (of course, it was probably a symbol rather than a man, but it might really be someone physical). He was one of the workers, a master mason (when I woke up this morning, I thought of the symbolism of Freemasonry and wondered if it might give a clue to the experience). Nearby, people were coming to supervise, observe, direct, people who thought themselves highly superior but they were never any help in solving practical problems! They were creating more problems than they were helping to solve. Anyway, this master mason appeared to be around fifty, with a beautiful facea workers face, beautiful and concentrated. There was a difficult place to cross, and he had worked the thing out very efficiently, with a lot of care. Then, when it was all done and I was able to go on my way, I felt a great surge of love go out to him, with neither gesture nor word and he received it, he felt and received it. His face lit up and he implored me, with wonderful Humility, Never let me forget this moment, the most beautiful moment of my life. (I dont know what language he used because it didnt come to me in words.) It was such an intense experience. His Humility, his receptivity, his response were all so beautiful and pure that when I woke upwhen I came out of the experience, at any rate I was left with a most delightful impression.
What he represents might be partly manifested by somebody here. A beautiful face a man around fifty. Or it may be symbolic: such characters are sometimes put together with features from several people, to make it very clear that they represent a state of consciousness and not an individual. Its far more often a state of consciousness than an individual.
0 1962-11-27, #Agenda Vol 03, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
In order to be discernible, the cube was enveloped in something that looked like a kind of tulle, a tulle made of a pale gray substance, which expressed the individual nonexistence, the perfect Humility that completely abolishes the ego: because of that there wasnt the least possibility of egoif you ask me why, I cant say, but thats how it was. And I was seeing that tulle all the time something extremely delicate, scarcely perceptible, yet maintaining the cubes form. It was perfect Humility (in the divine sense) and total absence of egothere wasnt even the memory or idea of it, nothing whatever: the abolition of the ego. And it served to receive that immobile immensity which manifested through an action of the Power. And then, the action of the Power. I was conscious (I was consciouswhere was I? I dont know; the cube represented my physical being: I had been TOLD it was my physical being), and I was watching it without being situated I myself had no precise place but could see and understand the whole thing. And I could discern all the action being done through the cube: this action for that thing, this for that, this for that the whole earth (gesture expressing forces radiating outward, each for a special purpose), things from the past and things FAR into the future.
And it was so imperative!
--
And the charm, the charm of the substance enveloping the cube was inexpressible! Something I cant describe. There were no contrasts, no the whole thing was in total harmony. Of course, to say it resembled tulle is a crude comparisona very, very fine tulle, and gray. Do you know that little wild grass Ive named Humility?4
Yes, its silver, silver-gray.
Is it silver, is it? Its indefinable. Thats just what makes that grass so exquisite. Well, the tulle was that color. Afterwards, a long time after, when I began to observe and to not actually think, but to try to formulate it, I noticed the color was identical. Now I know why I named it Humility! I said to myself. Its like being in a domain where things are known quite naturally, you understand theres no seeking.
How lovely it was! The sense of delicate beauty in things.
0 1965-03-06, #Agenda Vol 06, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
He had deplored (laughing) some accusations of mine against people, especially against the Catholic religion (although he isnt a Catholic at allhe is a staunch Hindu), he thought it wasnt wise from a legal standpoint and that I risked running into trouble (!) So I told him privately, You know, the whole worlds opinion of me, everyones opinion is like zero, I couldnt care less. Then he gaped in horror! And I told him, Here, now you will meditate on this in all Humility, and I gave him what youve just read.
But I dont want it to get around. It came strongly on that occasion, like a necessity, I had to say that, but the time hasnt come yet to declare it publicly.
0 1966-09-17, #Agenda Vol 07, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
And its not me! Me, where is the me? Its not this, in any case (Mother pinches the skin of her hand), poor thispoor this! It keeps on with its aspiration, and it has the sense all at once of its incapacity, its misery, its powerlessness to express what it should express, and its unworthiness to be an instrument of the Divine. At the same time, it has, first, a sort of increasing certitude of (how can I put it?) the magnanimity of the divine Presence, which is so marvelous in its effects in spite of the almost total imbecility of all this (Mother points to her own body); all this is really cast in, outwardly cast in stupidity, but with the ardor of such an intense and constant aspiration, with something touching in its Humility and trust, and with the sense of its powerlessness and at the same time of this marvelous Presence there, ready and willing to actif It is allowed to. All that is translated as a sort of film review of all of the bodys difficulties, all its powerlessness, all its incapacities, all its darknesses, its all shown as if on a screen, in order to be dissolved. And then one is a spectator of the dissolution by the Light. Its fantastic.
And the feeling of hanging from such a slender thread, the thread not of faith, its not faith: its a certitude, but at the same time an aspiration, and it feelsit feels there is something so new, so young, in an absolutely rotten atmosphere of disbelief, stupidity, bad will. So thats how it is, a slender thread, and its a miracle if
0 1967-03-02, #Agenda Vol 08, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
But now, I see I have seen: to hold on is hard. Its hard. It takes both an unflinching energya constant energy, like this (inflexible gesture)and at the same time, a perfect Humility ready to abandon EVERYTHING, because all that is, is nothing in comparison with what must be. A perfect Humility. I dont think there are many bodies like that. It really (laughing) has goodwill!
Oh, these last few days there have been moments a few minutes (it could hardly last more) when it was really hard. And then, what makes it possible for the body to go through is that at such moments, its completely like this (gesture of surrender): Lord, what You will. Nothing, no thought, no speculationnothing: What You will. And You alone exist. Thats all.
0 1967-08-02, #Agenda Vol 08, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
No, there are two problems. There is that one on the level of action, and then there is a tre-men-dous pride in the whole family; a terrible pride, its a formation. Thats what was in him yesterday, as if coagulated. So I told him, Have a little more Humility, a little more modesty.
One doesnt want to abdicate, you understand.
0 1967-09-13, #Agenda Vol 08, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
Regarding Humility
Its very simple: when you say to people, Be humble, they immediately think of being humble towards others, and that Humility is bad. True Humility is Humility towards the Divine, that is, the precise, exact, LIVING sense that you are nothing, can do nothing, understand nothing without the Divine, that even if you are an exceptionally intelligent and capable being, that is NOTHING in comparison with the divine Consciousness and one must keep that constantly, because then one constantly has the true attitude of receptivity. A humble receptivity that sets no personal pretension against the Divine.
***
0 1967-09-16, #Agenda Vol 08, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
Before she came to see me, I didnt know she was a fervent Catholic, I hadnt thought about it, but the first time she came to see me, I simply thought (I saw), My dear girl, you lack the Humility indispensable for making progress. Thats all. Then everything has been unveiled little by little, and yesterday the picture was complete because it takes some cheek to say, We are destined to bring about the rapprochement of the Catholic Church and the Ashram.
When I got her letter, the force in it literally turned my stomach.
--
You know, in olden days you were put through ordeals they were symbolic things, naturally, but you were aware that they were ordeals, so you were on your guard. But now I remember, in the very beginning, when I started working with Sri Aurobindo, he warned me (I had already noticed it long before) that the circumstances of life are at each minute organized in such a way that the one who is destined to do the work is confronted with his own difficulties, which he must conquer, and with the difficulties of the world he works in, which he must conquer too. If he has the necessary Humility to see in himself what must be transformed so he can become capable of doing the Work, then all goes well. Naturally, if he is full of pride and vanity and believes the whole fault lies outside and there is none in him, then naturally things go wrong. And the difficulties become more pronounced. And for as long as I did the work, for (how many years?) the thirty years I worked with Sri Aurobindo and he was there, I was like this (gesture hidden behind Sri Aurobindo), so comfortable, you know I was in front, I seemed to be the one doing the work but for my part, I felt completely protected, behind him like this (same gesture); I was very tranquil, not trying to understand or know or anything I was simply attentive to what had to be done, what had to be done. It was rarely necessary to tell him; sometimes I was faced with a difficulty then I would tell him, but he didnt need to answer: it was immediately understoodthirty years like that.
And when he left, there was a whole part the most material part of the descent of the supramental body down to the mind that visibly came out of his body like that and entered mine, and it was so concrete that I felt the FRICTION of forces passing through the pores of the skin. I remember having said at the time, Well, anyone who has had this experience can, by this experience, bring the proof of afterlife to the world. It was it was as concrete as if it had been material. So naturally, after that it was there in the field of consciousness. But I have seen more and more, more and more, that all that happens, all the people we meet, all that happens to us personally (that is, taking this little body as being the person), all of that is ALWAYS a test: you stand firm or you dont; if you stand firm, you make a progress forward; if you dont, you have to go through it again.
0 1968-03-23, #Agenda Vol 09, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
(Satprem read Mother the end of the Playground Talk of June 3, 1953, about Karma: "In all religions, when people said that [the consequences of Karma were strict] and gave such absolute rules, as for me, I think it was to take the place of Nature and pull people's strings.... So then they panic, they get terrified...they should just go to the next floor up. What should be given them is the key to open the door. The staircase has a door, and it needs a key. The key is a sufficiently sincere aspiration or a sufficiently intense prayer.... In both there is a magic power, one must know how to use it.... Some detest prayer (if they went to the bottom of their hearts, they would see it's out of pride). And there are those who have no aspiration, who try but can't aspire that's because they don't have the flame of will, they don't have the flame of Humility. Both are needed: to change one's Karma, one must have a very great Humility and a very great will.")
When did I say that?
0 1970-08-05, #Agenda Vol 11, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
Its an excellent mentor for the body: its perpetually giving it lessons. I dont know if all bodies are like this, but this one feels like a very small child, and it WANTS to be in school, it wants to be shown where it goes wrong and to learn things. And its constantly learning. But what comes from outside This is very interesting: the Consciousness (the Consciousness there [gesture above]) is influenced by nothing; its a witness, it sees, but it doesnt receive. The body still receives vibrations: with some people, when they sit in front of me, suddenly there are pains, things going wrong; but now it knows (naturally it knows its in pain!), but it doesnt put the blame on others: it puts it on itself, it takes it as an indication of the points that arent yet exclusively under the divine Influence. From that point of view, its very interesting. It knows the gap between the consciousness of the being using it and itself; but it doesnt suffer from it and has perfect Humility and modesty. And its not surprised or worried, because its May Your Will be done. That has become an absolute law: May Your Will be done; it doesnt concern me, I am incapable of judging, nor do I try: may Your Will be done. So then, its like this (passive, offered gesture). And when it disappears, when its wholly, completely surrendered and no longer exists by itself, then the Force going through becomes sometimes its awesome. Sometimes one can see, the witness-consciousness can see that there would be really no limits to the possibilities. But its not that yet, far from it. It comes as an example of what can be done. But before it can be spontaneous and natural
(long silence)
0 1971-06-09, #Agenda Vol 12, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
It wasnt aggressive, it had the appearance of Humilityit got a good cuff.
There was a battering of unpleasant thingsmore than unpleasant: really, but really mean and nasty and destructive. A battering, until the body understood. Then this feeling came into the whole body, in all the cells, everywhere, all the time (it came to such a pitch that I could barely swallow food), until everything, all-all understood: I exist only by the Divine, I can go on living only by the Divine and I can be myself only by being the Divine. After that, it was better. Now the body has understood.
0 1972-01-12, #Agenda Vol 13, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
Then Humility.
Yes.
--
The first is Sincerity; the second, Humility. Yes, thats how it came back to me the other daySincerity, Humility.
And Courage.
Perseverance came first, then Courage followed. Sincerity, Humility, Perseverance and Courage. That I remember. But there were twelve.
Next you mention Prudence.
--
Mother later ordered the list of the twelve powers or "qualities" in the following sequence: Sincerity, Humility, Gratitude, Perseverance, Aspiration, Receptivity, Progress, Courage, Goodness, Generosity, Equanimity, Peace.
The experience of joining the vision of the whole together with the vision of all the details.
0 1972-01-15, #Agenda Vol 13, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
Sincerity, Humility, perseverance and an insatiable thirst for progress are essential for a happy and fruitful life, and above all, to be convinced that the possibility of progress is limitless. Progress is youth; one can be young at a hundred years.
January 14, 1972
0 1972-01-19, #Agenda Vol 13, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
2) Humility
3) Gratitude
0 1972-05-17, #Agenda Vol 13, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
But naturally, it would be quite disastrous if human intellectual capacities, mental capacities, were to gain control of that powerit would be terrifying! It would cause terrible havoc. Hence the need to consent in all Humility to become imbecile before being able to acquire it.
(silence)
0 1973-02-14, #Agenda Vol 13, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
No, Mother, I say this in all Humility, because Ive been doing this work for eighteen years now; and I see how many years it took me, how many blunders, and how much help Sri Aurobindo gave me until I really started getting into the proper spirit. So I have compassion for these people, I quite understand why they make mistakes. What annoys me is how they can be so sure of themselves. Its a pity.
Sometimes people understand a poor translation better than a good one.
03.10 - Sincerity, #Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol 03, #Nolini Kanta Gupta, #Integral Yoga
Sectarianism or Loyalty True Humility
Other Authors Nolini Kanta Gupta Part ThreeSincerity
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Sectarianism or Loyalty True Humility
03.11 - True Humility, #Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol 03, #Nolini Kanta Gupta, #Integral Yoga
object:03.11 - True Humility
author class:Nolini Kanta Gupta
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Other Authors Nolini Kanta Gupta Part ThreeTrue Humility
True Humility
It is not by repeating mea culpa ad infinitum that one can show one's true Humility. In owning too much and too often one's sins, one may be just on the wrong side of virtue. There lurks a strain of vanity in self-maceration: the sinner in an overdose of self-pity almost feels himself saintly. Certainly, one must stand before oneself face to face, not hide or minimise or explain away one's errors and lapses, all one's omissions and commissions. But one need not brood over them, merely repenting and repining. One sees steadily, without flinching, what one actually is and then resolutely and sincerely takes to the ways and means of changing it, becoming what one has to be. A fall, the discovery of a new frailty should be an occasion not to chastise and punish yourself, thus to depress yourself and harden your nature, but to enthuse you with a fresh resolution, to rekindle your aspiration so that you may take another step forward. And, naturally, this you must do not with the sense that you can succeed or move forward by any inherent capacity of yoursyour failures are there always as standing eye-openers to you. No, it is not your self but the Divine Self that will come to your succour and lift you up tameva ea vute tanum swam to him alone it unveils its own body. That is the Humility to be learnt. But it does not mean that you are to remain merely passive, inert you cannot but be that if you are only a weeping willow a dead-weight upon the force of Grace that would carry you up. Rather you should throw your weight, whatever it is, on the side of the Divine. An atmosphere of alacrity and happiness and goodwill goes a long way to the redemption and regeneration of the consciousness. This is demanded of you; the rest is the work of the Divine. It is under such conditions that the Divine's help becomes all the more speedy and effective. Otherwise, mere contrition and lamentation and self-torture mean, as I have said, a ballast, a burden upon the force of progress and purification; as Sri Krishna says in the Gita, by oppressing oneself one oppresses only the Divine within. Humility, in order to be true and sincere, need not be sour and dour in appearance or go about in sack-cloth and ashes. On the contrary, it can be smiling and buoyant: and it is so, because it is at ease, knowing that things will be donesome things naturally will be undone tooquietly, quickly, if necessary, and inevitably, provided the right consciousness, the right will within is maintained. The humble consciousness does not, of course, take credit for what is being done for it, nor does it concentrate wholly or chiefly on its utter futility and smallness. It feels small or helpless not in the sense as when one one feels weak and miserable and almost undone, but as a child feels, naturally and innocently, in the lap of it mother: only I perhaps it is more awake and self-conscious than the child mentality.
Humility is unreservedly humble, as it envisages the immensity of the labour the Divine has undertaken, sees the Grace, infinite and inscrutable, working miracles every moment: and it is full of gratitude and thanksgiving and quiet trust and hopefulness. Certainly, it means self-forgetfulness and selflessness, as it cannot co-exist with the sense of personal worth and merit, with any appreciation of one's own tapasya and achievement, even as it thrives ill upon self-abasement and self-denigration, for if one is rajasic, the other is tamasic egoismegoism, in any case. Absolute nullity of the egoistic self is the condition needed, but anything less than that, any lowering of the consciousness beyond this zero point means reaffirming the ego in a wrong direction. True Humility has an unostentatious quietness, as it has a living and secret contact with the divine consciousness.
***
03.12 - The Spirit of Tapasya, #Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol 03, #Nolini Kanta Gupta, #Integral Yoga
True Humility Dynamic Fatalism
Other Authors Nolini Kanta Gupta Part ThreeThe Spirit of Tapasya
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True Humility Dynamic Fatalism
04.26 - To the Heights-XXVI, #Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol 02, #Nolini Kanta Gupta, #Integral Yoga
But I have known to be humble with Humility.
Through all my failings and errings
05.01 - Man and the Gods, #Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol 01, #Nolini Kanta Gupta, #Integral Yoga
Man possesses characters that mark him as an entity sui generis and give him the value that is his. First, toil and suffering and more failures than success have given him the quality of endurance and patience, of Humility and quietness. That is the quality of earth-natureearth is always spoken of by the poets and seers as all-bearing and all-forgiving. She never protests under any load put upon her, never rises in revolt, never in a hurry or in worry, she goes on with her appointed labour silently, steadily, calmly, unflinchingly. Human consciousness can take infinite pains, go through the infinite details of execution, through countless repetitions and mazes: patience and perseverance are the very badge and blazon of the tribe. Ribhus, the artisans of immortalitychildren of Mahasaraswatiwere originally men, men who have laboured into godhood. Human nature knows to wait, wait infinitely, as it has all the eternity before it and can afford and is prepared to continue and persist life after life. I do not say that all men can do it and are of this nature; but there is this essential capacity in human nature. The gods, who are usually described as the very embodiment of calmness and firmness, of a serene and concentrated will to achieve, nevertheless suffer ill any delay or hindrance to their work. Man has not perhaps the even tenor, the steadiness of their movement, even though intense and fast flowing; but what man possesses is persistence through ups and downshis path is rugged with rise and fall, as the poet says. The steadiness or the staying power of the gods contains something of the nature of indifference, something hard in its grain, not unlike a crystal or a diamond. But human patience, when it has formed and taken shape, possesses a mellowness, an understanding, a sweet reasonableness and a resilience all its own. And because of its intimacy with the tears of things, because of its long travail and calvary, human consciousness is suffused with a quality that is peculiarly human and humane that of sympathy, compassion, comprehension, the psychic feeling of closeness and oneness. The gods are, after all, egoistic; unless in their supreme supramental status where they are one and identical with the Divine himself; on the lower levels, in their own domains, they are separate, more or less immiscible entities, as it were; greater stress is laid here upon their individual functioning and fulfilment than upon their solidarity. Even if they have not the egoism of the Asuras that sets itself in revolt and antagonism to the Divine, still they have to the fullest extent the sense of a separate mission that each has to fulfil, which none else can fulfil and so each is bound rigidly to its own orbit of activity. There is no mixture in their workingsna me thate, as the Vedas say; the conflict of the later gods, the apple of discord that drove each to establish his hegemony over the rest, as narrated in the mythologies and popular legends, carry the difference to a degree natural to the human level and human modes and reactions. The egoism of the gods may have the gait of aristocracy about it, it has the aloofness and indifference and calm nonchalance that go often with nobility: it has a family likeness to the egoism of an ascetic, of a saintit is sttwic; still it is egoism. It may prove even more difficult to break and dissolve than the violent and ebullient rjasicpride of a vital being. Human failings in this respect are generally more complex and contain all shades and rhythms. And yet that is not the whole or dominant mystery of man's nature. His egoism is thwarted at every stepfrom outside, by, the force of circumstances, the force of counter-egoisms, and from inside, for there is there the thin little voice that always cuts across egoism's play and takes away from it something of its elemental blind momentum. The gods know not of this division in their nature, this schizophrenia, as the malady is termed nowadays, which is the source of the eternal strain of melancholy in human nature of which Matthew Arnold speaks, of the Shelleyan saddest thoughts: Nietzsche need not have gone elsewhere in his quest for the origin and birth of Tragedy. A Socrates discontented, the Christ as the Man of Sorrows, and Amitabha, the soul of pity and compassion are peculiarly human phenomena. They are not merely human weaknesses and failings that are to be brushed aside with a godlike disdain; but they contain and yield a deeper sap of life and out of them a richer fulfilment is being elaborated.
Human understanding, we know, is a tangled skein of light and shademore shade perhaps than lightof knowledge and ignorance, of ignorance straining towards knowledge. And yet this limited and earthly frame that mind is has something to give which even the overmind of the gods does not possess and needs. It is indeed a frame, even though perhaps a steel frame, to hold and fix the pattern of knowledge, that arranges, classifies, consolidates effective ideas, as they are translated into facts and events. It has not the initiative, the creative power of the vision of a god, but it is an indispensable aid, a precious instrument for the canalisation and expression of that vision, for the intimate application of the divine inspiration to physical life and external conduct. If nothing else, it is a sort of blue print which an engineer of life cannot forego if he has to execute his work of building a new life accurately and beautifully and perfectly.
05.09 - The Changed Scientific Outlook, #Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol 01, #Nolini Kanta Gupta, #Integral Yoga
Science has not spiritualised (or idealised or mentalised) the world; it has not spiritualised itself. Agreed. But what it has done is remarkable. First, with its new outlook it has cut away the ground from where it was wont to give battle to religion and spirituality, it has abjured its cast-iron strait-jacket mentality which considered that senses and syllogism encompass all knowledge and objects of knowledge. It has learnt Humility and admits of the possibility of more things there being in heaven and earth which are not amenable to its fixed co-ordinates. Secondly, it has gone at times even beyond this attitude of benevolent neutrality. For certain of its conclusions, certain ways of formulation seem to echo other truths, other manners. That is to say, if Science by itself is unable to reach or envisage the spiritual outlook, yet the position it has reached, the vistas it envisages seem to be not perhaps exactly one with, but in line with what our vision (of the scientific world) would be like if once we possess the spiritual eye. Matter, Science says today, is energy and forms of matter, objects, are various vibrations of this one energy. What is this energy? According to science, it is electrical, radiant, ethereal (Einstein replaces "ether" by "field")biological science would venture to call it life energy. You have only to move one step farther and arrive at the greater and deeper generalisationMatter is a mode of the energy of consciousness, all forms of Matter are vibrations of consciousness.
***
05.22 - Success and its Conditions, #Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol 01, #Nolini Kanta Gupta, #Integral Yoga
Yoga brings in a different line and scheme of life. For it is built upon soul-consciousness, upon Divine Nature which means another history of individual destiny. Even then tranquillity and self-confidence are at the basis of a Yogic life also and a new degree of modesty and Humility.
***
07.24 - Meditation and Meditation, #Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol 03, #Nolini Kanta Gupta, #Integral Yoga
Meditation will come to you as much as is necessary for you. When it comes it seizes you; then you should not resist. You sit down and go within yourself, withdraw yourself inside and you make the needed inner advance. When that is done you come out and start again with your work. But above all, do not be vain. People who believe they are exceptional creatures and have more merit, put a bar to all their progress. I must insist on the need of Humility. People have often spoken much about it but without understanding it very well. Be humble, but in the right way. If you could but root out this weed that is vanity! How difficult it is, yes, how difficult! You cannot do a single good thing, make the slightest progress, without being puffed up secretly somewhere, cherishing a hidden self-satisfaction! You have to deal hammer blows to break that hard core of egoism. You have to work all your life to destroy this poisonous herb. You think you have done it and you are so satisfied with the idea of having done it at last.
***
07.40 - Service Human and Divine, #Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol 03, #Nolini Kanta Gupta, #Integral Yoga
It is this self-discovery that will give you the basic knowledge, the foundation of your life, the discovery that your self as yourself does not exist, you are indeed nothing. This sense of nothingness must pervade your being, fill all the elements of your being before the truth can dawn upon you and the Divine Presence can be felt. And what you have been doing all along is the very contrary thing, asserting your egoism, your vanitypretending that you were somebody, you could do something, that the world needed your help and you could give that help. Nothing of the kind. When you discover this truth and accept it, when you are humbled and in true Humility you approach life and reality, you will find your real career and vocation.
In a deeper sense it is indeed by serving yourself that you serve others best. When you discover a dark spot in you, a grain of egoism, ambition, selfishness, when you do not yield to its impulsion but surmount it, when you thus conquer in yourself a movement that leads you astray, in the same gesture you make the conquest for the sake of others too, you create the same possibility in others. There can be nothing more dynamic than this setting of personal example. It is not that others observe you and imitate you; the influence is more subtle and more powerful. You create the opportunity, make an opening, bring into active play the force of your realisation, even without the knowledge of others; the others are only benefited by the invisible help that is lent to them. But you must be on your guard here too. You must not say, 1 will help others, so let me improve myself. There should not be any such spirit of barter or bargain. Confine yourself to your own business; how others are affected or not affected is not your concern. If you entertain that kind of idea, you invite the same vanity and egoism, by the back door. Yours should be like the blooming of a flower; it blooms out of its own joy and delight of self-fulfilment; in the process, by its very existence it spreads its perfume all around, fills the surroundings with its glad vibration, but that simply happens, it does not do all that purposely or intentionally. Even so the soul that perfects himself: the victory he wins for himself is contagious and extends automatically.
08.17 - Psychological Perfection, #Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol 04, #Nolini Kanta Gupta, #Integral Yoga
Or you say, you have faith in the Divine, but as to this world, you know what it is and you put no trust in it. You say: "In the first instance, I suffer much, I am unlucky, much more unlucky than any other person"one is always more miserable than one's neighbour, be sure"life has been unkind to me. Now, if the Divine is divine, all kindness, all generosity, all love and harmony, how is it that I am so unfortunate? The Divine must then be powerless. Otherwise, how can he leave me in unhappiness, if he is so kind?" That is the second stumbling-block. The third one is this. There are people who are too modest, full of an excessive and misguided Humility, who say: "Surely the Divine has rejected me, I am good for nothing, He can do nothing with me, it is better for me to give it all up." Such difficulties will always crop up, if along with faith you do not have complete trust in the Divine.
Next in the series comes Devotion. Certainly, devotion is very good; but here too, unless it is accompanied with many other things, it can lead you into much error. For with devotion one keeps one's ego also. Out of devotion you may behave most egoistically. You think of your devotion, only of your devotion, that is to say, you think of yourself alone, you do not think of others, of the world, of the work that you do and ought to doyou become formidably egoistic. And when you see that the Divine, for some reason or other, does not respond to your devotion with an enthusiasm you expect of him, you despair and fall into one or all of the three difficulties I spoke of just now. Either the Divine must be cruelwe know of devotees who throw all their anger upon the Divine, accusing him of neglect and cruelty; or then they think, "I must have made a grave, blunder, I am hopeless in his eyes and I am rejected."
08.28 - Prayer and Aspiration, #Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol 04, #Nolini Kanta Gupta, #Integral Yoga
There are some who detest prayers. If they entered d their heart, they would see that it is pride, even worse than that vanity. There are people who have no aspiration, they try but they are not able to aspire. They are not able to aspire, because they have not the flame of the will, nor have they the flame of Humility. Both are necessary. To change one's Karma one needs a great Humility and a great will-power.
The Divine Grace counteracts the Karma wholly; the Grace melts Karma, as the sun melts butter. If you have an aspiration sincere enough, or a prayer intense enough you can bring down into you something that will change everything.
09.13 - On Teachers and Teaching, #Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol 04, #Nolini Kanta Gupta, #Integral Yoga
It is a pity! But how can you hope for it otherwise? When you have an undisciplined, disobedient, insolent student, it means a certain vibration in the atmosphere which is unfortunately very contagious. If you do not have in yourself the contrary vibration, the vibration of discipline, order, Humility, calmness, peace that nothing disturbs, how can you hope, I say, to have an influence? You may tell the student that such a thing should not be done; but the result may be worse or he may mock at you. And if, on top of it, you do not know how to control yourself, but get into a temper, well, you may be done for, you may lose for your whole life all possibility of controlling your students.
Teachers who do not possess perfect calm, endurance that can stand all test, tranquillity that cannot be shaken by anything, who have not cast off their amour propre, are not the kind that can ever succeed. You must be a saint, a hero in order to be a good teacher. You must be a great Yogi to be a good teacher. You must yourself have always the perfect attitude if you demand from your students a perfect attitude. You cannot ask of any person a thing which you cannot do yourself.
10.04 - The Dream Twilight of the Earthly Real, #Savitri, #Sri Aurobindo, #Integral Yoga
Descending into earth's Humility,
Her forehead's span vaulted the Omniscient's gaze,
1.007 - The Elevations, #Quran, #unset, #Zen
161. And it was said to them, “Settle this town, and eat therein whatever you wish, and speak modestly, and enter the gate in Humility—We will forgive your sins, and will promote the righteous.”
162. But the wicked among them substituted other words for the words given to them; so We sent down upon them a plague from the sky, because of their wrongdoing.
1.00b - INTRODUCTION, #The Perennial Philosophy, #Aldous Huxley, #Philosophy
and Humility. Natural science is empirical; but it does not confine itself to the
experience of human beings in their merely human and unmodified condition. Why
1.017 - The Night Journey, #Quran, #unset, #Zen
24. And lower to them the wing of Humility, out of mercy, and say, “My Lord, have mercy on them, as they raised me when I was a child.”
25. Your Lord knows best what is in your minds. If you are righteous—He is Forgiving to the obedient.
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109. And they fall to their chins, weeping, and it adds to their Humility.
110. Say, “Call Him God, or call Him the Most Merciful. Whichever name you use, to Him belong the Best Names.” And be neither loud in your prayer, nor silent in it, but follow a course in between.
1.01 - Description of the Castle, #The Interior Castle or The Mansions, #Saint Teresa of Avila, #Christianity
5.: I feel sure that vexation at thinking that during our life on earth God can bestow these graces on the souls of others shows a want of Humility and charity for one's neighbour, for why should we not feel glad at a brother's receiving divine favours which do not deprive us of our own share? Should we not rather rejoice at His Majesty's thus manifesting His greatness wherever He chooses?8' Sometimes our Lord acts thus solely for the sake of showing His power, as He declared when the Apostles questioned whether the blind man whom He cured had been suffering for his own or his parents' sins.9' God does not bestow soul speaks of that sovereign grace of God in taking it into the house of His love, which is the union or transformation of love in God . . . The cellar is the highest degree of love to which the soul can attain in this life, and is therefore said to be the inner. It follows from this that there are other cellars not so interior; that is, the degrees of love by which souls reach to this, the last. These cellars are seven in number, and the soul has entered them all when it has in perfection the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost, so far as it is possible for it. . . . Many souls reach and enter the first cellar, each according to the perfection of its love, but the last and inmost cellar is entered by few in this world, because therein is wrought the perfect union with God, the union of the spiritual marriage.' A Spiritual Canticle, stanza xxvi. 1-3. Concept. ch. vi. (Minor Works of St. Teresa.) these favours on certain souls because they are more holy than others who do not receive them, but to manifest His greatness, as in the case of St. Paul and St. Mary Magdalen, and that we may glorify Him in His creatures.
6.: People may say such things appear impossible and it is best not to scandalize the weak in faith by speaking about them. But it is better that the latter should disbelieve us, than that we should desist from enlightening souls which receive these graces, that they may rejoice and may endeavour to love God better for His favours, seeing He is so mighty and so great. There is no danger here of shocking those for whom I write by treating of such matters, for they know and believe that God gives even greater proofs of His love. I am certain that if any one of you doubts the truth of this, God will never allow her to learn it by experience, for He desires that no limits should be set to His work: therefore, never discredit them because you are not thus led yourselves.
1.01 - Economy, #Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience, #Henry David Thoreau, #Philosophy
Notwithstanding much cant and hypocrisy,chaff which I find it difficult to separate from my wheat, but for which I am as sorry as any man,I will brea the freely and stretch myself in this respect, it is such a relief to both the moral and physical system; and I am resolved that I will not through Humility become the devils attorney. I will endeavor to speak a good word for the truth. At Cambridge College the mere rent of a students room, which is only a little larger than my own, is thirty dollars each year, though the corporation had the advantage of building thirty-two side by side and under one roof, and the occupant suffers the inconvenience of many and noisy neighbors, and perhaps a residence in the fourth story. I cannot but think that if we had more true wisdom in these respects, not only less education would be needed, because, forsooth, more would already have been acquired, but the pecuniary expense of getting an education would in a great measure vanish. Those conveniences which the student requires at
Cambridge or elsewhere cost him or somebody else ten times as great a sacrifice of life as they would with proper management on both sides.
1.01 - How is Knowledge Of The Higher Worlds Attained?, #Knowledge of the Higher Worlds, #Rudolf Steiner, #Theosophy
If we do not develop within ourselves this deeply rooted feeling that there is something higher than ourselves, we shall never find the strength to evolve to something higher. The initiate has only acquired the strength to lift his head to the heights of knowledge by guiding his heart to the depths of veneration and devotion. The heights of the spirit can only be climbed by passing through the portals of Humility. You can only acquire right knowledge when you have learnt to esteem it. Man has certainly the right to turn his eyes to the light, but he must first acquire this right. There are laws in the spiritual life, as in the physical life. Rub a glass rod with an appropriate material and it will become electric, that is, it will receive the power of attracting small bodies. This is in keeping with a law of nature. It is known to all who have learnt a little physics. Similarly, acquaintance with the first principles of spiritual science shows that every
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1.01 - MAPS OF EXPERIENCE - OBJECT AND MEANING, #Maps of Meaning, #Jordan Peterson, #Psychology
direction taken by Humility, self-effacement, and the kind of relaxation, or non-action, that makes all
action effective.22
1.01 - MAXIMS AND MISSILES, #Twilight of the Idols, #Friedrich Nietzsche, #Philosophy
morality: Humility.--
There is such a thing as a hatred of lies and dissimulation, which is
1.01 - On renunciation of the world, #The Ladder of Divine Ascent, #Saint John of Climacus, #unset
Each of the classes mentioned above might well have a special treatise devoted to it. But for simple folk like us it would not be profitable at this point to enter into such lengthy investigations. Come then, in unquestioning obedience let us stretch out our unworthy hand to the true servants of God who devoutly compel us and in their faith constrain us by their commands. Let us write this treatise with a pen taken from their knowledge and dipped in the ink of Humility which is both subdued yet radiant. Then let us apply it to the smooth white paper of their hearts, or rather rest it on the tablets of the spirit, and let us inscribe the divine words (or rather sow the seeds).2 And let us begin like this.
God belongs to all free beings. He is the life of all, the salvation of allfaithful and unfaithful, just and unjust, pious and impious, passionate and dispassionate, monks and seculars, wise and simple, healthy and sick, young and oldjust as the diffusion of light, the sight of the sun, and the changes of the weather are for all alike; for there is no respect of persons with God.3
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Those who aim at ascending with the body to heaven, need violence indeed and constant suffering6 especially in the early stages of their renunciation, until our pleasure-loving dispositions and unfeeling hearts attain to love of God and chastity by visible sorrow. A great toil, very great indeed, with much unseen suffering, especially for those who live carelessly, until by simplicity, deep angerlessness and diligence, we make our mind, which is a greedy kitchen dog addicted to barking, a lover of chastity and watchfulness. But let us who are weak and passionate have the courage to offer our infirmity and natural weakness to Christ with unhesitating faith, and confess it to Him; and we shall be certain to obtain His help, even beyond our merit, if only we unceasingly go right down to the depth of Humility.
All who enter upon the good fight, which is hard and narrow, but also easy, must realize that they must leap into the fire, if they really expect the celestial fire to dwell in them. But, let everyone examine himself, and so let him eat the bread of it with its bitter herbs, and let him drink the cup of it with its
1.01 - Soul and God, #The Red Book Liber Novus, #unset, #Zen
I learn above all the most extreme Humility, as what I most need.
The spirit of this time of course allowed me to believe in my reason. He let me see myself in the image of a leader with ripe thoughts. But the spirit of the depths teaches me that I am a servant, in fact the servant of a child: This dictum was repugnant to me and I hated it. But I had to recognize and accept that my soul is a child and that my God in my soul is a child. 57
1.01 - THAT ARE THOU, #The Perennial Philosophy, #Aldous Huxley, #Philosophy
Philo was the exponent of the Hellenistic Mystery Religion which grew up, as Professor Goodenough has shown, among the Jews of the Dispersion, between about 200 B. C. and 100 A. D. Reinterpreting the Pentateuch in terms of a metaphysical system derived from Platonism, Neo-Pythagoreanism and Stoicism, Philo transformed the wholly transcendental and almost anthropomorphically personal God of the Old Testament into the immanent-transcendent Absolute Mind of the Perennial Philosophy. But even from the orthodox scribes and Pharisees of that momentous century which witnessed, along with the dissemination of Philos doctrines, the first beginnings of Christianity and the destruction of the Temple at Jerusalem, even from the guardians of the Law we hear significantly mystical utterances. Hillel, the great rabbi whose teachings on Humility and the love of God and man read like an earlier, cruder version of some of the Gospel sermons, is reported to have spoken these words to an assemblage in the courts of the Temple. If I am here, (it is Jehovah who is speaking through the mouth of his prophet) everyone is here. If I am not here, no one is here.
The Beloved is all in all; the lover merely veils Him; The Beloved is all that lives, the lover a dead thing.
1.025 - The Criterion, #Quran, #unset, #Zen
63. The servants of the Merciful are those who walk the earth in Humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, “Peace.”
64. And those who pass the night prostrating themselves to their Lord and standing up.
1.026 - The Poets, #Quran, #unset, #Zen
4. If We will, We can send down upon them a sign from heaven, at which their necks will stay bent in Humility.
5. No fresh reminder comes to them from the Most Merciful, but they turn their backs at it.
1.027 - The Ant, #Quran, #unset, #Zen
87. On the Day when the Trumpet is blown, everyone in the heavens and the earth will be horrified, except whomever God wills; and everyone will come before Him in Humility.
88. And you see the mountains, and imagine them fixed, yet they pass, as the passing of the clouds—the making of God, who has perfected everything. He is fully Informed of what you do.
1.02 - MAPS OF MEANING - THREE LEVELS OF ANALYSIS, #Maps of Meaning, #Jordan Peterson, #Psychology
personal omniscience. Heroic Humility, set against such arrogance, means recognition of constant personal
error, conjoined with belief in the ability to transcend that error (to face the unknown, and to update fallible
1.02 - Meditating on Tara, #How to Free Your Mind - Tara the Liberator, #Thubten Chodron, #unset
honest with ourselves. Revealing our errors cultivates honesty and Humility.
The fourth, rejoicing in our own and others virtues, cuts jealousy and develops delight in the goodness and attainments of others. The fth and sixth
1.02 - Of certain spiritual imperfections which beginners have with respect to the habit of pride., #Dark Night of the Soul, #Saint John of the Cross, #Christianity
AS these beginners feel themselves to be very fervent and diligent in spiritual things and devout exercises, from this prosperity (although it is true that holy things of their own nature cause Humility) there often comes to them, through their imperfections, a certain kind of secret pride, whence they come to have some degree of satisfaction with their works and with themselves. And hence there comes to them likewise a certain desire, which is somewhat vain, and at times very vain, to speak of spiritual things in the presence of others, and sometimes even to teach such things rather than to learn them. They condemn others in their heart when they see that they have not the kind of devotion which they themselves desire; and sometimes they even say this in words, herein resembling the Pharisee, who boasted of himself, praising God for his own good works and despising the publican.21
2. In these persons the devil often increases the fervour that they have and the desire to perform these and other works more frequently, so that their pride and presumption may grow greater. For the devil knows quite well that all these works and virtues which they perform are not only valueless to them, but even become vices in them. And such a degree of evil are some of these persons wont to reach that they would have none appear good save themselves; and thus, in deed and word, whenever the opportunity occurs, they condemn them and slander them, beholding the mote in their brother's eye and not considering the beam which is in their own;22 they strain at another's gnat and themselves swallow a camel.23
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4. Many such persons desire to be the favourites of their confessors and to become intimate with them, as a result of which there beset them continual occasions of envy and disquiet.26 They are too much embarrassed to confess their sins nakedly, lest their confessors should think less of them, so they palliate them and make them appear less evil, and thus it is to excuse themselves rather than to accuse themselves that they go to confession. And sometimes they seek another confessor to tell the wrongs that they have done, so that their own confessor shall think they have done nothing wrong at all, but only good; and thus they always take pleasure in telling him what is good, and sometimes in such terms as make it appear to be greater than it is rather than less, desiring that he may think them to be good, when it would be greater Humility in them, as we shall say, to depreciate it, and to desire that neither he nor anyone else should consider them of account.
5. Some of these beginners, too, make little of their faults, and at other times become over-sad when they see themselves fall into them, thinking themselves to have been saints already; and thus they become angry and impatient with themselves, which is another imperfection. Often they beseech God, with great yearnings, that He will take from them their imperfections and faults, but they do this that they may find themselves at peace, and may not be troubled by them, rather than for God's sake; not realizing that, if He should take their imperfections from them, they would probably become prouder and more presumptuous still. They dislike praising others and love to be praised themselves; sometimes they seek out such praise. Herein they are like the foolish virgins, who, when their lamps could not be lit, sought oil from others.27
6. From these imperfections some souls go on to develop28 many very grave ones, which do them great harm. But some have fewer and some more, and some, only the first motions thereof or little beyond these; and there are hardly any such beginners who, at the time of these signs of fervour,29 fall not into some of these errors.30 But those who at this time are going on to perfection proceed very differently and with quite another temper of spirit; for they progress by means of Humility and are greatly edified, not only thinking naught of their own affairs, but having very little satisfaction with themselves; they consider all others as far better, and usually have a holy envy of them, and an eagerness to serve God as they do. For the greater is their fervour, and the more numerous are the works that they perform, and the greater is the pleasure that they take in them, as they progress in Humility, the more do they realize how much God deserves of them, and how little is all that they do for His sake; and thus, the more they do, the less are they satisfied.
So much would they gladly do from charity and love for Him, that all they do seems to them naught; and so greatly are they importuned, occupied and absorbed by this loving anxiety that they never notice what others do or do not; or if they do notice it, they always believe, as I say, that all others are far better than they themselves.
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8. These souls will give their heart's blood to anyone that serves God, and will help others to serve Him as much as in them lies. The imperfections into which they see themselves fall they bear with Humility, meekness of spirit and a loving fear of God, hoping in Him. But souls who in the beginning journey with this kind of perfection are, as I understand, and as has been said, a minority, and very few are those who we can be glad do not fall into the opposite errors. For this reason, as we shall afterwards say, God leads into the dark night those whom He desires to purify from all these imperfections so that He may bring them farther onward.
1.02 - On detachment, #The Ladder of Divine Ascent, #Saint John of Climacus, #unset
3. After our renunciation of the world, the demons suggest to us that we should envy those living in the world who are merciful and compassionate, and be sorry for ourselves as deprived of these virtues. The aim of our foes is, by false Humility, either to make us return to the world, or, if we remain monks, to plunge us into despair. It is possible to belittle those living in the world out of conceit; and it is also possible to disparage them behind their backs in order to avoid despair and to obtain hope.
4. Let us listen to what the Lord said to the young man who had fulfilled nearly all the commandments: One thing thou lackest; sell what thou hast and give to the poor1 and become a beggar who receives alms from others.
1.02 - The Human Soul, #The Interior Castle or The Mansions, #Saint Teresa of Avila, #Christianity
5.: This is what we must dread and pray God to deliver us from, for we are weakness itself, and unless He guards the city, in vain shall we labour to defend it.20' The person of whom I spoke21' said that she had learnt two things from the vision granted her. The first was, a great fear of offending God; seeing how terrible were the consequences, she constantly begged Him to preserve her from falling into sin. Secondly, it was a mirror to teach her Humility, for she saw that nothing good in us springs from ourselves but comes from the waters of grace near which the soul remains like a tree planted beside a river, and from that Sun which gives life to our works. She realized this so vividly that on seeing any good deed performed by herself or by other people she at once turned to God as to its fountain head-without whose help she knew well we can do nothing-and broke out into songs of praise to Him. Generally she forgot all about herself and only thought of God when she did any meritorious action.
6.: The time which has been spent in reading or writing on this subject will not have been lost if it has taught us these two truths; for though learned, clever men know them perfectly, women's wits are dull and need help in every way. Perhaps this is why our Lord has suggested these comparisons to me; may He give us grace to profit by them!
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9.: A soul which gives itself to prayer, either much or little, should on no account be kept within narrow bounds. Since God has given it such great dignity, permit it to wander at will through the rooms of the castle, from the lowest to the highest. Let it not force itself to remain for very long in the same mansion, even that of self-knowledge. Mark well, however, that self-knowledge is indispensable, even for those whom God takes to dwell in the same mansion with Himself. Nothing else, however elevated, perfects the soul which must never seek to forget its own nothingness. Let Humility be always at work, like the bee at the honeycomb, or all will be lost. But, remember, the bee leaves its hive to fly in search of flowers and the soul should sometimes cease thinking of itself to rise in meditation on the grandeur and majesty of its God. It will learn its own baseness better thus than by self-contemplation, and will be freer from the reptiles which enter the first room where self-knowledge is acquired. The palmito here referred to is not a palm, but a shrub about four feet high and very dense with leaves, resembling palm leaves. The poorer classes and principally children dig it up by the roots, which they peel of its many layers until a sort of kernel is disclosed, which is eaten, not without relish, and is somewhat like a filbert in taste. See St. John of the Cross, Accent of Mount Carmel, bk. ii. ch, xiv, 3. Although it is a great grace from God to practise self-examination, yet 'too much is as bad as too little,' as they say; believe me, by God's help, we shall advance more by contemplating the Divinity than by keeping our eyes fixed on ourselves, poor creatures of earth that we are.
10.: I do not know whether I have put this clearly; self-knowledge is of such consequence that I would not have you careless of it, though you may be lifted to heaven in prayer, because while on earth nothing is more needful than Humility. Therefore, I repeat, not only a good way, but the best of all ways, is to endeavour to enter first by the room where Humility is practised, which is far better than at once rushing on to the others. This is the right road;-if we know how easy and safe it is to walk by it, why ask for wings with which to fly? Let us rather try to learn how to advance quickly. I believe we shall never learn to know ourselves except by endeavouring to know God, for, beholding His greatness we are struck by our own baseness, His purity shows our foulness, and by meditating on His Humility we find how very far we are from being humble.
11.: Two advantages are gained by this practice. First, it is clear that white looks far whiter when placed near something black, and on the contrary, black never looks so dark as when seen beside something white. Secondly, our understanding and will become more noble and capable of good in every way when we turn from ourselves to God: it is very injurious never to raise our minds above the mire of our own faults. I described how murky and fetid are the streams that spring from the source of a soul in mortal sin.25' Thus (although the case is not really the same, God forbid! this is only a comparison), while we are continually absorbed in contemplating the weakness of our earthly nature, the springs of our actions will never flow free from the mire of timid, weak, and cowardly thoughts, such as: 'I wonder whether people are noticing me or not! If I follow this course, will harm come to me? Dare I begin this work? Would it not be presumptuous? Is it right for any one as faulty as myself to speak on sublime spiritual subjects?26' Will not people think too well of me, if I make myself singular? Extremes are bad, even in virtue; sinful as I am I shall only fall the lower. Perhaps I shall fail and be a source of scandal to good people; such a person as I am has no need of peculiarities.'
12.: Alas, my daughters, what loss the devil must have caused to many a soul by such thoughts as these! It thinks such ideas and many others of the same sort I could mention arise from Humility. This comes from not understanding our own nature; self-knowledge becomes so warped that, unless we take our thoughts off ourselves, I am not surprised that these and many worse fears should threaten us. Therefore I maintain, my daughters, that we should fix our eyes on Christ our only good, and on His saints; there we shall learn true Humility, and our minds will be ennobled, so that self-knowledge will not make us base and cowardly. Although only the first, this mansion contains great riches and such treasures that if the soul only manages to elude the reptiles dwelling here, it cannot fail to advance farther. Terrible are the wiles and stratagems the devil uses to hinder people from realizing their weakness and detecting his snares.
13.: From personal experience I could give you much information as to what happens in these first mansions. I will only say that you must not imagine there are only a few, but a number of rooms, for souls enter them by many different ways, and always with a good intention. The devil is so angry at this that he keeps legions of evil spirits hidden in each room to stop the progress of Christians, whom, being ignorant of this, he entraps in a thousand ways. He cannot so easily deceive souls which dwell nearer to the King as he can beginners still absorbed in the world, immersed in its pleasures, and eager for its honours and distinctions. As the vassals of their souls, the senses and powers bestowed on them by God, are weak, such people are easily vanquished, although desirous not to offend God.
14.: Those conscious of being in this state must as often as possible have recourse to His Majesty, taking His Blessed Mother and the saints for their advocates to do battle for them, because we creatures possess little strength for self-defence. Indeed in every state of life all our help must come from God; may He in His mercy grant it us, Amen! What a miserable life we lead! As I have spoken more fully in other writings27' on the ill that results from ignoring the need of Humility and self-knowledge, I will treat no more about it here, my daughters, although it is of the first importance. God grant that what I have said may be useful to you.
15 :You must notice that the light which comes from the King's palace hardly shines at all in these first mansions; although not as gloomy and black as the soul in mortal sin, yet they are in semi-darkness, and their inhabitants see scarcely anything. I cannot explain myself; I do not mean that this is the fault of the mansions themselves, but that the number of snakes, vipers, and venomous reptiles from outside the castle prevent souls entering them from seeing the light. They resemble a person entering a chamber full of brilliant sunshine, with eyes clogged and half closed with dust. Though the room itself is light, he cannot see because of his self-imposed impediment. In the same way, these fierce and wild beasts blind the eyes of the beginner, so that he sees nothing but them.
1.02 - The Virtues, #Words Of Long Ago, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
Near to her, like two faithful guardians, stood Humility, at once respectful and proud, and Courage, lofty-browed, clear-eyed, his lips firm and smiling, with a calm and resolute air.
Close beside Courage, her hand in his, stood a woman, completely veiled, of whom nothing could be seen but her searching eyes, shining through her veils. It was Prudence.
1.03 - On exile or pilgrimage, #The Ladder of Divine Ascent, #Saint John of Climacus, #unset
For our solitary life let us choose places where there are fewer opportunities for comfort and ambition, but more for Humility. Otherwise, we shall be fleeing in company with our passions.
Hide your noble birth and do not glory in your distinction, lest you be found to be one thing in word and another in deed.
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Sometimes the Lord has brought more glory to the man who has gone into exile after the manner of this great patriarch. But even if glory is God-given, yet it is excellent to divert it from oneself with the shield of Humility.
When men or devils praise us for our exile, as for some great success, then let us think of Him who for our sake was exiled from heaven to earth, and we shall find that throughout all eternity it is impossible for us to make return for this.
1.03 - Tara, Liberator from the Eight Dangers, #How to Free Your Mind - Tara the Liberator, #Thubten Chodron, #unset
face on the oor induces the feeling of Humility and the relinquishing of ego.
Letting go of arrogance is a relief. Tremendous energy is required to try
1.04 - On blessed and ever-memorable obedience, #The Ladder of Divine Ascent, #Saint John of Climacus, #unset
these two virtues, the holy soul steadily ascends to heaven as upon golden wings. And perhaps it was about this that he who had received the Holy Spirit sang: Who will give me wings like a dove? And I will fly by activity, and be at rest by contemplation and Humility.1
But let us not fail, if you agree, to describe clearly in our treatise the weapons of these brave warriors: how they hold the shield of faith in God and their trainer,2 and with it they ward off, so to speak, every thought of unbelief and vacillation; how they constantly raise the drawn sword of the Spirit and slay every wish of their own that approaches them; how, clad in the iron armour of meekness and patience, they avert every insult and injury and missile. And for a helmet of salvation they have their superiors protection through prayer. And they do not stand with their feet together, for one is stretched out in service and the other is immovable in prayer.
Obedience is absolute renunciation of our own life, clearly expressed in our bodily actions. Or, conversely, obedience is the mortification of the limbs while the mind remains alive. Obedience is unquestioning movement, voluntary death, simple life, carefree danger, spontaneous defence by God, fearlessness of death, a safe voyage, a sleepers progress. Obedience is the tomb of the will and the resurrection of Humility. A corpse does not argue or reason as to what is good or what seems to be bad. For he who has devoutly put the soul of the novice to death will answer for everything. Obedience is an abandonment of discernment in a wealth of discernment.
The beginning of the mortification both of the souls desire and of the bodily members involves much hard work. The middle sometimes means much hard work and is sometimes painless. But the end is insensibility and insusceptibility to toil and pain. Only when he sees himself doing his own will does this blessed living corpse feel sorry and sick at heart; and he fears the responsibility of using his own judgment.
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When motives of Humility and real longing for salvation decide us to bend our neck and entrust ourselves to another in the Lord, before entering upon this life, if there is any vice and pride in us, we ought first to question and examine, and even, so to speak, test our helmsman, so as not to mistake the sailor for the pilot, a sick man for a doctor, a passionate for a dispassionate man, the sea for a harbour, and so bring about the speedy shipwreck of our soul. But when once we have entered the arena of religion and obedience we must no longer judge our good manager4 in any way at all, even though we may perhaps see in him some slight failings, since he is only human. Otherwise, by sitting in judgment we shall get no profit from our subjection.
It is absolutely indispensable for those of us who wish to retain undoubting faith in our superiors to write their good deeds indelibly in our hearts and constantly remember them, so that when the demons sow among us distrust towards them, we may be able to silence them by what is preserved in our memory. For the more faith flourishes in the heart, the more alacrity the body has in service. But he
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Dumbfounded by the voice of the shepherd coming from the sanctuary (for he thought, as he afterwards assured us with oaths, that he had heard not a human voice, but thunder), he instantly fell on his face, trembling and shaking all over with fear. As he lay on the ground and moistened the floor with his tears, this wonderful physician, using all means for his salvation, and wishing to give to all an example of saving and effectual Humility, again exhorted him, in the presence of all, to tell in detail what he had done. And with terror he confessed one after another all his sins, which revolted every ear, not only sins of the flesh, natural and unnatural, with rational beings and with animals, but even
poisoning, murder and many other kinds which it is indecent to hear or commit to writing. And when he had finished his confession, the shepherd at once allowed him to be given the habit and numbered among the brethren.
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And it is not in vain that this laudable rigour is brought to perfection among them, for it bears and shows abundant fruit. And among these holy fathers many become proficient both in active life and spiritual insight, both in discernment and Humility. And there was to be seen among them an awful and angelic sight: venerable and white-haired elders of holy beauty running about in obedience like children and taking a great delight in their humiliation. There I have seen men who had spent some fifty years in obedience. And when I asked them to tell me what consolation they had gained from so great a labour, some of them replied that they had attained to deep Humility with which they had permanently repelled every assault. Others said that they had obtained complete insensibility and freedom from pain in calumnies and insults.
I have seen others of those ever-memorable fathers with their angelic white hair attain to the deepest innocence and to wise simplicity, spontaneous and God-guided. (Just as an evil man is somewhat double, one thing outwardly and another inwardly, so a simple person is not something double, but something of a unity.)1 Among them there are none who are fatuous and foolish, like old men in the world who are commonly called in their dotage. On the contrary, outwardly they are utterly gentle and kindly, radiant and sincere, and they have nothing hypocritical, affected or false about them either in speech or character (a thing not found in many); and inwardly, in their soul, like innocent babes, they make God Himself and their superior their very breath, and the eye of their mind keeps a bold and strict watch for demons and passions.
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When he had spent seven years there, he attained to deep Humility and compunction. Then the glorious father, after the lawful seven years and the mans incomparable patience, judged him fully worthy to be numbered among the brethren and wanted to profess him and have him ordained. But Isidore through others and through my feeble intervention, implored the shepherd many times to let him finish his course as he was living before, vaguely hinting that his end and call were drawing near. And that was actually the case. For when his director had allowed him to remain as he was, ten days later in his lowliness he passed gloriously to the Lord. And on the seventh day after his own falling asleep, the porter of the monastery was also taken. For the blessed man had said to him: If I have found favour in the sight of the Lord, in a short time you also will be inseparably joined to me there.1 And that is what happened, in witness of his unashamed obedience and divine Humility.
1 I.e. just as they were joined at the gate.
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I should be quite unjust to all enthusiasts for perfection if I were to bury in the tomb of silence the achievement and reward of Macedonius, the first of the deacons there. This man, so consecrated to the Lord, just before the feast of the Holy Theophany,1 actually two days before it, once asked the pastor for permission to go to Alexandria for a certain personal need of his, promising to return from the city as soon as possible for the approaching festival and the preparation for it. But the devil, the hater of good, hindered the archdeacon, and though released by the abbot, he did not return to the monastery for the holy feast at the time appointed by the superior. On his returning a day late, the pastor deposed him from the diaconate and put him in the rank of the lowest novices. But that good deacon of patience and archdeacon of endurance accepted the fathers decision as calmly as if another had been punished and not himself. And when he had spent forty days in that state, the wise pastor raised him again to his own rank. But scarcely a day had passed before the archdeacon begged the pastor to leave him in his former discipline and dishonour, saying: I committed an unforgivable sin in the city. But knowing that Macedonius was telling him an untruth and that he sought punishment only for the sake of Humility, the Saint yielded to the good wish of the ascetic. Then what a sight there was! An honoured elder with white hair spending his days as a novice and sincerely begging everyone to pray for him. For, said he, I fell into the fornication of disobedience. But this great Macedonius in secret told me, lowly though I am, why he voluntarily pursued such a humiliating course of life. Never, he assured me, have I felt in myself such relief from every conflict and such sweetness of divine light as now. It is the property of angels, he continued, not to fall, and even, as some say, it is quite impossible for them to fall. It is the property of men to fall, and to rise again as often as this may happen. But it is the property of devils, and devils alone, not to rise once they have fallen.
1 I.e. the feast of the Baptism of Christ, corresponding to some extent to the Western Epiphany.
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I once asked one of the most experienced fathers and pressed him to tell me how Humility is obtained by obedience. He said: The obedient man who has discernment, even if he raises the dead and receives the gift of tears and freedom from conflict, will still think that it is the prayer of his spiritual father that has done it, and he remains foreign and alien to vain presumption. For how could
1 Psalm lxx, 20.
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The devil battles with those in obedience, sometimes to defile them with bodily pollutions and make them hard-hearted, and sometimes to provoke more than usual restlessness. At other times he makes them dry and barren, sluggish in prayer, drowsy and confused by spiritual darkness, in order to tear them away from their struggle by making them think they have gained nothing by their obedience but are only backsliding. For he does not allow them time to reflect that often the providential withdrawal of our imagined goods or blessings leads us to the deepest Humility.
However, some have often repelled that deceiver by patience; but while he is still speaking, another angel2 stands by us and after a little while tries to hoodwink us in another way.
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From obedience comes Humility, and from Humility comes dispassion; for the Lord remembered us in our Humility and redeemed us from our enemies.2 Therefore nothing prevents us from saying that from obedience comes dispassion, through which the goal of Humility is attained. For Humility is the beginning of dispassion, as Moses is the beginning of the Law; and the daughter perfects the mother, as Mary perfects the Synagogue.
Those sick souls who try out a physician and receive help from him, and then abandon him out of preference for another before they are completely healed, deserve every punishment from God. Do not run from the hand of him who has brought you to the Lord, for you will never in your life esteem anyone like him.
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Let those entering a hospital for the first time indicate their pains, and let those entering upon obedience show their Humility. For the former, the first sign of their health is the relief of their pains, and for the latter a growing self-condemnation; and there is no other sign so unerring.
Let your conscience be the mirror of your obedience, and it is enough.
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I have seen a religious who used to snatch the words from his superiors lips, but I despaired of his obedience when I saw it led to pride and not to Humility.
Let us keep wide awake with all vigilance, take care with all carefulness, watch with all watchfulness as to when and how service should be preferred to prayer. For you cannot do all things at all times.
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If you come to an unknown physician and hospital, behave as though you were passing by, and secretly test the life and spiritual experience of all those living there. And when you begin to feel benefit from the doctors and nurses and get relief from your sicknesses, and especially with regard to your special disease, namely, spiritual pride, then go to them and buy it with the gold of Humility, and write the contract on the parchment of obedience with the letters of service and with the angels as witnesses. And tear up and destroy in their presence the parchment of your own will. By going from place to place you get into the way of wasting the price with which Christ bought you. Let the monastery be your tomb before the tomb. For no one will come out of the grave until the general resurrection. And if some religious have left their tomb, see! They are dead. Let us implore the Lord that this may not happen to us.
When the senses find the orders heavy, the more lazy decide that they would prefer to devote themselves to prayer. But when they find they are ordered to do something easy they run from prayer as from fire.
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From obedience comes Humility, as we have already said earlier. From Humility comes discernment as the great Cassian has said with beautiful and sublime philosophy in his chapter on discernment.2 From discernment comes insight, and from insight comes foresight. And who would not follow this fair way of obedience, seeing such blessings in store for him? It was of this great virtue of obedience that the good Psalmist said: Thou hast in Thy goodness prepared for the poor3 obedient soul, O God, Thy presence in his heart.
Throughout your life remember that great athlete who for eighteen whole years never heard with his outward ears his superior say the words, May you be saved, but inwardly heard daily from the Lord, not merely, May you be saved (which is an uncertain wish), but You are saved (which is definite and sure).
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Let us hear what a gift of discernment this holy man obtained by his utter obedience. When he was residing in the monastery of St. Sabba three young monks came to him wanting to become his disciples. He gladly received them and at once gave them kindly hospitality, wanting to refresh them after the labour of their journey. When three days had passed, the elder said to them: By nature, brothers, I am prone to fornication, and I cannot accept any of you. But they were not scandalized, for they knew the good work of the elder. Yet however much they asked him, they were quite unable to persuade him. Then they threw themselves at his feet and implored him at least to give them a rulehow and where they ought to live. So he yielded to their entreaties, and knowing that they would receive it with Humility and obedience, the elder said to one: The Lord wants you, child, to live in a place of solitude in subjection to a father. And to the second he said: Go and sell your will and give it to God, and take up your cross and persevere in a community and monastery of brothers, and you will certainly have treasure in heaven. Then to the third he said: Take in with your very breath the word of Him who said: He who endures to the end will be saved.1 Go, and if possible choose for your trainer in the Lord the most strict and exacting person and with daily perseverance drink abuse and scorn as milk and honey. Then the brother said to the great John: But, Father, what if the trainer lives a lax life? The elder replied: Even if you see him committing fornication, do not leave him, but say to yourself: Friend, why are you here ?2 Then you will see all pride vanish from you, and lust wither.
Let all of us who wish to fear the Lord struggle with our whole might, so that in the school of virtue we do not acquire for ourselves malice and vice, cunning and craftiness, curiosity and anger. For it does happen, and no wonder! As long as a man is a private individual, or a seaman, or a tiller of the soil, the Kings enemies do not war so much against him. But when they see him taking the Kings colours,3 and the shield, and the dagger, and the sword, and the bow, and clad in soldiers garb, then they gnash at him with their teeth, and do all in their power to destroy him. And so, let us not slumber.
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When a foolish person is accused or shouted at he is wounded by it and tries to contradict, or at once makes an apology to his accuser, not out of Humility but in order to stop the accusations. But when you are being ridiculed, be silent, and receive with patience these spiritual cauterizations, or rather, purifying flames. And when the doctor has finished, then ask his forgiveness. For while he is angry perhaps he will not accept your apology.
While struggling against all the passions, let us who are in communities struggle every hour, especially against these two: greed of stomach and irritability. For in a community there is plenty of food for these passions.
1.04 - On Knowledge of the Future World., #The Alchemy of Happiness, #Al-Ghazali, #Sufism
Every man ought to take as the subject of his thoughts, the things which concern the future state,- the pains of its torments, the joys of its felicity, the delight and ecstasy of the vision of the beauty of the Lord, and finally the fact that these states are eternal. Now, is it not strange folly and sottishness to be proud of the transitory pleasures of the world in a life which lasts but for one or two days, and to turn our backs upon future eternal joys ? If you are wise you will acknowledge the frailly and errors of your soul, and with an understanding of the purpose for which it was created, you will meditate upon your soul, and upon [104] the almighty power and greatness of God as far as the human mind can comprehend them. Recognizing that God's design in creating you was, that you should know him and love him, you should never cease for one moment to walk with Humility and prayer in the path of obedience. Regard this world as the place to sow seed for eternity, and after taking such a portion from this world as may give you strength to take the journey to the other world, turn away from whatever is more than this. Realize that the future world is the place for enjoyment and happiness which is eternal, and the land to behold the excellence and beauty of the Lord; and make it your purpose, divine and omniscient grace assisting you, never to cease from the pursuit of them, but to secure as your prey, the phoenix of felicity and happiness.
1.05 - Bhakti Yoga, #Amrita Gita, #Swami Sivananda Saraswati, #Hinduism
28. A realised Bhakta is free from lust, egoism, mine-ness, hatred, jealousy, greed. He is full of Humility, compassion and kindness. He sees God in all beings, in all objects. He has equal vision and a balanced mind.
29. Draupadi was an Arta-Bhaktini; Nachiketas was Jijnasu-Bhakta; Dhruva was an Arthar thee-Bhakta; Suka Deva was a Jnani-Bhakta; Prahlada was an absolutely Nishkama Bhakta.
1.05 - CHARITY, #The Perennial Philosophy, #Aldous Huxley, #Philosophy
There grows within me the power of love and Humility, which is born of the Unborn.
Kung-chia Ta-shih
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Let everyone understand that real love of God does not consist in tear-shedding, nor in that sweetness and tenderness for which usually we long, just because they console us, but in serving God in justice, fortitude of soul and Humility.
St. Teresa
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Spiritual progress, as we have had occasion to discover in several other contexts, is always spiral and reciprocal. Peace from distractions and emotional agitations is the way to charity; and charity, or unitive love-knowledge is the way to the higher peace of God. And the same is true of Humility, which is the third characteristic mark of charity. Humility is a necessary condition of the highest form of love, and the highest form of love makes possible the consummation of Humility in a total self-naughting.
Would you become a pilgrim on the road of Love?
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I have but one word to say to you concerning love for your neighbour, namely that nothing save Humility can mould you to it; nothing but the consciousness of your own weakness can make you indulgent and pitiful to that of others. You will answer, I quite understand that Humility should produce forbearance towards others, but how am I first to acquire Humility? Two things combined will bring that about; you must never separate them. The first is contemplation of the deep gulf, whence Gods all-powerful hand has drawn you out, and over which he ever holds you, so to say, suspended. The second is the presence of that all-penetrating God. It is only in beholding and loving God. that we can learn forgetfulness of self, measure duly the nothingness which has dazzled us, and accustom ourselves thankfully to decrease beneath that great Majesty which absorbs all things. Love God and you will be humble; love God and you will throw off the love of self; love God and you will love all that He gives you to love for love of Him.
Fnelon
Feelings, as we have seen, may be of service as motives of charity; but charity as charity has its beginning in the willwill to peace and Humility in oneself, will to patience and kindness towards ones fellow creatures, will to that disinterested love of God which asks nothing and refuses nothing. But the will can be streng thened by exercise and confirmed by perseverance. This is very clearly brought out in the following recorddelightful for its Boswellian vividnessof a conversation between the young Bishop of Belley and his beloved friend and master, Franois de Sales.
I once asked the Bishop of Geneva what one must do to attain perfection. You must love God with all your heart, he answered, and your neighbour as yourself.
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The distinguishing marks of charity are disinterestedness, tranquillity and Humility. But where there is disinterestedness there is neither greed for personal advantage nor fear for personal loss or punishment; where there is tranquillity, there is neither craving nor aversion, but a steady will to conform to the divine Tao or Logos on every level of existence and a steady awareness of the divine Suchness and what should be ones own relations to it; and where there is Humility there is no censoriousness and no glorification of the ego or any projected alter-ego at the expense of others, who are recognized as having the same weaknesses and faults, but also the same capacity for transcending them in the unitive knowledge of God, as one has oneself. From all this it follows that charity is the root and substance of morality, and that where there is little charity there will be much avoidable evil. All this has been summed up in Augustines formula: Love, and do what you like. Among the later elaborations of the Augustinian theme we may cite the following from the writings of John Everard, one of those spiritually minded seventeenth-century divines whose teachings fell on the deaf ears of warring factions and, when the revolution and the military dictatorship were at an end, on the even deafer ears of Restoration clergymen and their successors in the Augustan age. (Just how deaf those ears could be we may judge by what Swift wrote of his beloved and morally perfect Houyhnhnms. The subject matter of their conversations, as of their poetry, consisted of such things as friendship and benevolence, the visible operations of nature or ancient traditions; the bounds and limits of virtue, the unerring rules of reason. Never once do the ideas of God, or charity, or deliverance engage their minds. Which shows sufficiently clearly what the Dean of St. Patricks thought of the religion by which he made his money.)
Turn the man loose who has found the living Guide within him, and then let him neglect the outward if he can! Just as you would say to a man who loves his wife with all tenderness, You are at liberty to beat her, hurt her or kill her, if you want to.
1.05 - Of the imperfections into which beginners fall with respect to the sin of wrath, #Dark Night of the Soul, #Saint John of the Cross, #Christianity
3. There are others who are vexed with themselves when they observe their own imperfectness, and display an impatience that is not Humility; so impatient are they about this that they would fain be saints in a day. Many of these persons purpose to accomplish a great deal and make grand resolutions; yet, as they are not humble and have no misgivings about themselves, the more resolutions they make, the greater is their fall and the greater their annoyance, since they have not the patience to wait for that which God will give them when it pleases Him; this likewise is contrary to the spiritual meekness aforementioned, which cannot be wholly remedied save by the purgation of the dark night. Some souls, on the other hand, are so patient as regards the progress which they desire that God would gladly see them less so.
1.05 - On painstaking and true repentance which constitute the life of the holy convicts; and about the prison., #The Ladder of Divine Ascent, #Saint John of Climacus, #unset
Repentance is the renewal of baptism. Repentance is a contract with God for a second life. A penitent is a buyer2 of Humility. Repentance is constant distrust of bodily comfort. Repentance is self-condemning reflection, and carefree self-care. Repentance is the daughter of hope and the renunciation of despair. A penitent is an undisgraced convict. Repentance is reconciliation with the Lord by the practice of good deeds contrary to the sins. Repentance is purification of conscience. Repentance is the voluntary endurance of all afflictions. A penitent is the inflicter of his own punishments. Repentance is a mighty persecution of the stomach, and a striking of the soul into vigorous awareness.
Gather together and come near, all you who have angered God; come and listen to what I expound to you; assemble and see what He has revealed to my soul for your edification. Let us give first place and first honour to the story of the dishonoured yet honoured workers. Let all of us who have suffered an unexpected and inglorious fall listen, watch and act. Rise and be seated, you who through your falls are lying prostrate. Attend, my brothers, attend to my word. Incline your ears, you who wish to be reconciled afresh with God by a true conversion.
Weak as I am, I heard that there was a certain powerful and strange way of life and Humility for those living in a separate monastic establishment called The Prison which was under the authority of the above-mentioned man, that light of lights. So when I was still staying there I asked the good man to allow me to visit it. And the great man, never wishing to grieve a soul in any way, agreed to my request.
And so, coming to this abode of penitents and to this true land of mourners, I actually saw (if it is not audacious to say so) what is most cases the eye of a careless person never saw, and what the ear of a slothful and easy-going person never heard, and what never entered the heart of a timid person3that is, I saw such deeds and words as can incline God to mercy; such activities and postures as speedily attract His love for men.
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I saw there some who seemed from their demeanour and their thoughts to be out of their mind. In their great disconsolateness they had become like dumb men in complete darkness, and were insensible to the whole of life. Their minds had already sunk to the very depths of Humility, and had burnt up the tears in their eyes with the fire of their despondency.
Others sat thinking and looking on the ground, swaying their heads unceasingly, and roaring and moaning like lions from their inmost heart to their teeth. And some were praying in good hope and asking for complete forgiveness. Others out of unspeakable Humility condemned themselves as unworthy of forgiveness, and would cry out that it was not within their power to justify themselves before God. Some begged the Lord that they be punished here, and receive mercy in the next world. Others, crushed by the weight of their conscience, would say in all sincerity: Spare us from future punishment, even though we are not worthy to be granted the Kingdom. And that will satisfy us.
I saw there humble and contrite souls depressed by the weight of their burden. Their voices and outcries to God would have moved the very stones to compassion. For, casting their gaze to the earth they would say: We know, we know that in all justice we deserve every punishment and torment. For how could we make satisfaction for the multitude of our debts even if we were to summon the whole world to weep for us? But this is our only petition, this our prayer, this our supplication, that He may not rebuke us in anger, nor chasten us in His wrath.1 Punish, but spare! It is sufficient for us if Thou deliverest us from Thy great threat, from the unknown and hidden torments. For we dare not ask for complete forgivenesshow could we? For we have not kept our vow but have defiled it, even Thy past loving kindness and forgiveness.
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I am full aware, my good friends, that the struggles I have described will seem to some incredible, to others hard to believe, and will seem to some to breed despair. But to the courageous soul they will serve as a spur, and a shaft of fire; and he will go away carrying zeal in his heart. He who is not up to this will realize his infirmity, and having easily obtained Humility by self- reproach, he will run after the former; and I do not know whether he may not even overtake him. But the careless man should leave my stories alone, lest he despair and squander even the little which he has accomplished, and thus correspond to the man of whom it was said: From him who is without alacrity or generosity even what he has will be taken away from him.2
It is impossible for us who have fallen into the pit of iniquities ever to be drawn out of it, unless we sink into the abyss of the Humility of the penitents.
The sorrowful Humility of penitents is one thing; the condemnation of the conscience of those who are still living in sin is another; and the blessed wealth of Humility which the perfect attain by the action of God is yet another. Let us not be in a hurry to find words to describe this third kind of Humility, for our effort will be in vain. But a sign of the second is the perfect bearing of indignity. Previous habit often tyrannizes even over him who deplores it. And no wonder! The account of the judgments of God and our falls is shrouded in darkness, and it is impossible to know which are the falls that come from carelessness, and which from providential abandonment, and which from Gods turning away from us. But someone told me that in the case of falls which come to us by Divine Providence we acquire a swift revulsion from them, because He who delivers us does not allow us to be held for long. And let us who fall wrestle above all with the demon of grief. For he stands by us at the time of our prayer, and by reminding us of our former favour with God, he tries to divert our attention from prayer.
Do not be surprised that you fall every day; do not give up, but stand your ground courageously. And assuredly the angel who guards you will honour your patience. While a wound is still fresh and warm it is easy to heal, but old, neglected and festering ones are hard to cure, and require for their care much treatment, cutting, plastering and cauterization. Many from long neglect become incurable. But with God all things are possible.3
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Let no one who laments expect assurance at his departure. For the unknown is not sure. Spare me, through assurance, that I may revive before I depart hence unassured (of salvation.)4 Where the Spirit of the Lord is, the bond is loosed. Where there is profound Humility, the bond is loosed. But let those who are without these two assurances make no mistake they are bound.
Those living in the world, and they only, are strangers to these two assurances, and especially the first. But through almsgiving, some so run the race that they know at their departure what their gain has been.
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I saw two men travelling to the Lord in the same way and at the same time. One of them was old and more advanced in labours; but the other was his disciple and soon outran the elder and came first to the sepulchre of Humility.1
Let all of us, and especially the fallen, beware lest we sicken in heart from the disease of the godless Origen.2 For this foul disease, by using Gods love for man as an excuse, is readily accepted by pleasure-lovers.
1.05 - Qualifications of the Aspirant and the Teacher, #Bhakti-Yoga, #Swami Vivekananda, #Hinduism
This eye-opener of the aspirant after religion is the teacher. With the teacher, therefore, our relationship is the same as that between an ancestor and his descendant. Without faith, Humility, submission, and veneration in our hearts towards our religious teacher, there cannot be any growth of religion in us; and it is a significant fact that, where this kind of relation between the teacher and the taught prevails, there alone gigantic spiritual men are growing; while in those countries which have neglected to keep up this kind of relation the religious teacher has become a mere lecturer, the teacher expecting his five dollars and the person taught expecting his brain to be filled with the teacher's words, and each going his own way after this much has been done. Under such circumstances spirituality becomes almost an unknown quantity. There is none to transmit it and none to have it transmitted to.
Religion with such people becomes business; they think they can obtain it with their dollars. Would to God that religion could be obtained so easily! But unfortunately it cannot be.
1.05 - The Destiny of the Individual, #The Life Divine, #Sri Aurobindo, #Integral Yoga
5:Such is the teaching, calm, wise and clear, of our most ancient sages. They had the patience and the strength to find and to know; they had also the clarity and Humility to admit the limitation of our knowledge. They perceived the borders where it has to pass into something beyond itself. It was a later impatience of heart and mind, vehement attraction to an ultimate bliss or high masterfulness of pure experience and trenchant intelligence which sought the One to deny the Many and because it had received the breath of the heights scorned or recoiled from the secret of the depths. But the steady eye of the ancient wisdom perceived that to know God really, it must know Him everywhere equally and without distinction, considering and valuing but not mastered by the oppositions through which He shines.
6:We will put aside then the trenchant distinctions of a partial logic which declares that because the One is the reality, the Many are an illusion, and because the Absolute is Sat, the one existence, the relative is Asat and non-existent. If in the Many we pursue insistently the One, it is to return with the benediction and the revelation of the One confirming itself in the Many.
1.05 - THE HOSTILE BROTHERS - ARCHETYPES OF RESPONSE TO THE UNKNOWN, #Maps of Meaning, #Jordan Peterson, #Psychology
and chaos. The arrogance of the totalitarian stance is ineradicably opposed to the Humility of creative
exploration. [ Humility it is only constant admission of error and capacity for error (admssion of sinful
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adaptation in behavior. Such Humility is, somewhat paradoxically, courageous as admission of error and
possibility for error constitutes the necessary precondition for confrontation with the unknown. This makes
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Acceptance of mortal weakness is the paradoxical Humility that serves as a precondition for true
heroism. The heroic attitude is predicated on the belief that something new and valuable still exists, to be
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religion something real. Humility means, therefore: I am not yet what I could be an adage both cautious
and hopeful.
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by contrast in the spirit of ignorant Humility, courage disguised provides necessary precondition for
change.
1.05 - THE MASTER AND KESHAB, #The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, #Sri Ramakrishna, #Hinduism
Master's Humility
"Do you know my attitude? As for myself, I eat, drink, and live happily. The rest the Divine Mother knows. Indeed, there are three words that prick my flesh: 'guru', 'master', and 'father'.
1.06 - MORTIFICATION, NON-ATTACHMENT, RIGHT LIVELIHOOD, #The Perennial Philosophy, #Aldous Huxley, #Philosophy
Living in religion (as I can speak by experience) if one is not in a right course of prayer and other exercises between God and our soul, ones nature groweth much worse than ever it would have been, if one had lived in the world. For pride and self-love, which are rooted in the soul by sin, find means to streng then themselves exceedingly in religion, if the soul is not in a course that may teach her and procure her true Humility. For by the corrections and contradictions of the will (which cannot be avoided by any living in a religious community) I find my heart grown, as I may say, as hard as a stone; and nothing would have been able to soften it but by being put into a course of prayer, by which the soul tendeth towards God and learneth of Him the lesson of truly humbling herself.
Dame Gertrude More
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To sum up, that mortification is the best which results in the elimination of self-will, self-interest, self-centred thinking, wishing and imagining. Extreme physical austerities are not likely to achieve this kind of mortification. But the acceptance of what happens to us (apart, of course, from our own sins) in the course of daily living is likely to produce this result. If specific exercises in self-denial are undertaken, they should be inconspicuous, non-competitive and uninjurious to health. Thus, in the matter of diet, most people will find it sufficiently mortifying to refrain from eating all the things which the experts in nutrition condemn as unwholesome. And where social relations are concerned, self-denial should take the form, not of showy acts of would-be Humility, but of control of the tongue and the moodsin refraining from saying anything uncharitable or merely frivolous (which means, in practice, refraining from about fifty per cent of ordinary conversation), and in behaving calmly and with quiet cheerfulness when external circumstances or the state of our bodies pre-disposes us to anxiety, gloom or an excessive elation.
When a man practises charity in order to be reborn in heaven, or for fame, or reward, or from fear, such charity can obtain no pure effect.
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Many a man hath the virtues of Humility, patience and charity towards his neighbours, only in the reason and will, and hath no spiritual delight nor love in them; for ofttimes he feeleth grudging, heaviness and bitterness for to do them, but yet nevertheless he doth them, but tis only by stirring of reason for dread of God. This man hath these virtues in reason and will, but not the love of them in affection. But when, by the grace of Jesus and by ghostly and bodily exercise, reason is turned into light and will into love, then hath he virtues in affection; for he hath so gnawn on the bitter bark or shell of the nut that at length he hath broken it and now feeds on the kernel; that is to say, the virtues which were first heavy for to practise are now turned into a very delight and savour.
Walter Hilton
1.06 - Of imperfections with respect to spiritual gluttony., #Dark Night of the Soul, #Saint John of the Cross, #Christianity
Through these efforts they lose true devotion and spirituality, which consist in perseverance, together with patience and Humility and mistrust of themselves, that they may please God alone. For this reason, when they have once failed to find pleasure in this or some other exercise, they have great disinclination and repugnance to return to it, and at times they abandon it. They are, in fact, as we have said, like children, who are not influenced by reason, and who act, not from rational motives, but from inclination.48 Such persons expend all their effort in seeking spiritual pleasure and consolation; they never tire therefore, of reading books; and they begin, now one meditation, now another, in their pursuit of this pleasure which they desire to experience in the things of God. But God, very justly, wisely and lovingly, denies it to them, for otherwise this spiritual gluttony and inordinate appetite would breed in numerable evils. It is, therefore, very fitting that they should enter into the dark night, whereof we shall speak,49 that they may be purged from this childishness.
7. These persons who are thus inclined to such pleasures have another very great imperfection, which is that they are very weak and remiss in journeying upon the hard 50 road of the Cross; for the soul that is given to sweetness naturally has its face set against all self-denial, which is devoid of sweetness.51
1.06 - On remembrance of death., #The Ladder of Divine Ascent, #Saint John of Climacus, #unset
Not every desire for death is good. Some, constantly sinning from force of habit, pray for death with Humility. And some, who do not want to repent, invoke death out of despair. And some, out of self-esteem consider themselves dispassionate, and for a while have no fear of death. And some (if such can now be found) through the action of the Holy Spirit long for their departure.
. Some inquire and wonder: Why, when the remembrance of death is so beneficial for us, has God hidden from us the know ledge of the hour of death?not knowing that in this way God wonderfully accomplishes our salvation. For no one who foreknew his death would at once proceed to baptism or the monastic life; but everyone would spend all his days in iniquities, and only on the day of his death would he approach baptism and repentance. From long habit he would become confirmed in vice, and would remain utterly incorrigible.
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A vivid remembrance of death cuts down food; and when in Humility food is cut, the passions are cut out too.
Insensibility of heart dulls the mind, and abundance of food dries the fountains of tears. Thirst and vigil afflict the heart, and when the heart is afflicted the waters flow. The things we have said will seem cruel to epicures and incredible to the indolent; but a man of action will readily test them, and he who has found them out by experience will smile at them. But he who is still seeking will become more gloomy.
1.07 - A Song of Longing for Tara, the Infallible, #How to Free Your Mind - Tara the Liberator, #Thubten Chodron, #unset
realistic appraisal of ourselves that enables us to be both humble and condent. Ive developed some qualities, and theres a long way to go. Humility is based on self-condence but leaves us open to learning, whereas
arrogance closes the door to learning.
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Buddhas, there will always be ways to grow. That Humility keeps us open.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama exemplies Humility, and hes certainly more
advanced on the path than we are. So if somebody more advanced than us can
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have a modicum of Humility? Theres nothing wrong with not knowing
everything!
1.07 - On mourning which causes joy., #The Ladder of Divine Ascent, #Saint John of Climacus, #unset
If nothing goes so well with Humility as mourning, certainly nothing is so opposed to it as laughter.
Keep a firm hold of the blessed joy-grief of holy compunction, and do not stop working at it until it raises you high above the things of this world and presents you pure to Christ.
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Be like a king in your heart, seated high in Humility, and commanding laughter: Go, and it goes; and sweet weeping: Come, and it comes; and our tyrant and slave, the body: Do this, and it does it.1
1 Note in this paragraph the difference between ascetical and mystical activity.
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Drive away with the hand of Humility every transitory joy, as being unworthy of it, lest by readily admitting it you receive a wolf instead of a shepherd.
Do not hasten to contemplation when it is not time for contemplation, that it may pursue and embrace the beauty of your Humility, and unite with you for ever in immaculate marriage.
As soon as a baby begins to recognize its father, it is all filled with joy. But if the father goes away for a time on business and then comes home again, the child becomes full of joy and sorrowjoy at seeing the beloved, and sorrow at being deprived for so long of that fair beauty. And a mother
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Our enemies are so wicked that they turn even the mothers of virtues into the mothers of vices, and those things which make for Humility, they make into a cause for pride. Frequently the very setting and sight of our dwellings are of a nature to rouse our mind to compunction. Let Jesus, Elijah and John who prayed alone convince you of this. I have often seen tears provoked in cities and crowds to make us think that crowds do us no harm and so draw nearer to the world. For this is the aim of the evil spirits.
One word has often dispelled mourning. But it would be a wonder indeed if one word brought it back.
1.07 - The Process of Evolution, #Essays In Philosophy And Yoga, #Sri Aurobindo, #Integral Yoga
Sayama is unseasonable and would be fruitless when a force, quality or tendency is in its infancy or vigour, before it has had the enjoyment and full activity which is its due. When once a thing is born it must have its youth, growth, enjoyment, life and final decay and death; when once an impetus has been given by Prakriti to her creation, she insists that the velocity shall spend itself by natural exhaustion before it shall cease. To arrest the growth or speed unseasonably by force is nigraha, which can be effective for a time but not in perpetuity. It is said in the Gita that all things are ruled by their nature, to their nature they return and nigraha or repression is fruitless. What happens then is that the thing untimely slain by violence is not really dead, but withdraws for a time into the Prakriti which sent it forth, gathers an immense force and returns with extraordinary violence ravening for the rightful enjoyment which it was denied. We see this in the attempts we make to get rid of our evil saskras or associations when we first tread the path of Yoga. If anger is a powerful element in our nature, we may put it down for a time by sheer force and call it self-control, but eventually unsatisfied Nature will get the better of us and the passion return upon us with astonishing force at an unexpected moment. There are only two ways by which we can effectively get the better of the passion which seeks to enslave us. One is by substitution, replacing it whenever it rises by the opposite quality, anger by thoughts of forgiveness, love or forbearance, lust by meditation on purity, pride by thoughts of Humility and our own defects or nothingness; this is the method of Rajayoga, but it is a difficult, slow and uncertain method; for both the ancient traditions and the modern experience of Yoga show that men who had attained for long years the highest self-mastery have been suddenly surprised by a violent return of the thing they thought dead or for ever subject. Still this substitution, slow though it be, is one of the commonest methods of Nature and it is largely by this means, often unconsciously or half-consciously used, that the character of a man changes and develops from life to life or even in the bounds of a single lifetime. It does not destroy things in their seed and the seed which is not reduced to ashes by Yoga is always capable of sprouting again and growing into the complete and mighty tree. The second method is to give bhoga or enjoyment to the passion so as to get rid of it quickly. When it is satiated and surfeited by excessive enjoyment, it becomes weak and spent and a reaction ensues which establishes for a time the opposite force, tendency or quality. If that moment is seized by the Yogin for nigraha, the nigraha so repeated at every suitable opportunity becomes so far effective as to reduce the strength and vitality of the vtti sufficiently for the application of the final sayama. This method of enjoyment and reaction is also a favourite and universal method of Nature, but it is never complete in itself and, if applied to permanent forces or qualities, tends to establish a see-saw of opposite tendencies, extremely useful to the operations of Prakriti but from the point of view of self-mastery useless and inconclusive. It is only when this method is followed up by the use of sayama that it becomes effective. The Yogin regards the vtti merely as a play of Nature with which he is not concerned and of which he is merely the spectator; the anger, lust or pride is not his, it is the universal Mothers and she works it and stills it for her own purposes. When, however, the vtti is strong, mastering and unspent, this attitude cannot be maintained in sincerity and to try to hold it intellectually without sincerely feeling it is mithycra, false discipline or hypocrisy. It is only when it is somewhat exhausted by repeated enjoyment and coercion that Prakriti or Nature at the comm and of the soul or Purusha can really deal with her own creation. She deals with it first by vairgya in its crudest form of disgust, but this is too violent a feeling to be permanent; yet it leaves its mark behind in a deep-seated wish to be rid of its cause, which survives the return and temporary reign of the passion. Afterwards its return is viewed with impatience but without any acute feeling of intolerance. Finally supreme indifference or udsnat is gained and the final going out of the tendency by the ordinary process of Nature is watched in the true spirit of the sayam who has the knowledge that he is the witnessing soul and has only to dissociate himself from a phenomenon for it to cease. The highest stage leads either to mukti in the form of laya or disappearance, the vtti vanishing altogether and for good, or else to another kind of freedom when the soul knows that it is Gods ll and leaves it to Him whether He shall throw out the tendency or use it for His own purposes. This is the attitude of the Karmayogin who puts himself in Gods hands and does work for His sake only, knowing that it is Gods force that works in him. The result of that attitude of self-surrender is that the Lord of all takes charge and according to the promise of the Gita delivers His servant and lover from all sin and evil, the vttis working in the bodily machine without affecting the soul and working only when He raises them up for His purposes. This is nirliptat, the state of absolute freedom within the ll.
The law is the same for the mass as for the individual. The process of human evolution has been seen by the eye of inspired observation to be that of working out the tiger and the ape. The forces of cruelty, lust, mischievous destruction, pain-giving, folly, brutality, ignorance were once rampant in humanity, they had full enjoyment; then by the growth of religion and philosophy they began in periods of satiety such as the beginning of the Christian era in Europe to be partly replaced, partly put under control. As is the law of such things, they have always reverted again with greater or less virulence and sought with more or less success to re-establish themselves. Finally in the nineteenth century it seemed for a time as if some of these forces had, for a time at least, exhausted themselves and the hour for sayama and gradual dismissal from the evolution had really arrived. Such hopes always recur and in the end they are likely to bring about their own fulfilment, but before that happens another recoil is inevitable. We see plenty of signs of it in the reeling back into the beast which is in progress in Europe and America behind the fair outside of Science, progress, civilisation and humanitarianism, and we are likely to see more signs of it in the era that is coming upon us. A similar law holds in politics and society. The political evolution of the human race follows certain lines of which the most recent formula has been given in the watchwords of the French Revolution, freedom, equality and brotherhood. But the forces of the old world, the forces of despotism, the forces of traditional privilege and selfish exploitation, the forces of unfraternal strife and passionate self-regarding competition are always struggling to reseat themselves on the thrones of the earth. A determined movement of reaction is evident in many parts of the world and nowhere perhaps more than in England which was once one of the self-styled champions of progress and liberty. The attempt to go back to the old spirit is one of those necessary returns without which it cannot be so utterly exhausted as to be blotted out from the evolution. It rises only to be defeated and crushed again. On the other hand the force of the democratic tendency is not a force which is spent but one which has not yet arrived, not a force which has had the greater part of its enjoyment but one which is still vigorous, unsatisfied and eager for fulfilment. Every attempt to coerce it in the past reacted eventually on the coercing force and brought back the democratic spirit fierce, hungry and unsatisfied, joining to its fair motto of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity the terrible addition or Death. It is not likely that the immediate future of the democratic tendency will satisfy the utmost dreams of the lover of liberty who seeks an anarchist freedom, or of the lover of equality who tries to establish a socialistic dead level, or of the lover of fraternity who dreams of a world-embracing communism. But some harmonisation of this great ideal is undoubtedly the immediate future of the human race. On the old forces of despotism, inequality and unbridled competition, after they have been once more overthrown, a process of gradual sayama will be performed by which what has remained of them will be regarded as the disappearing vestiges of a dead reality and without any further violent coercion be transformed slowly and steadily out of existence.
1.08 - Adhyatma Yoga, #Amrita Gita, #Swami Sivananda Saraswati, #Hinduism
28. Cultivate the divine qualities: Humility, harmlessness, purity, steadfastness, self-control, dispassion, unostentatiousness, non-attachment, balance of mind, fearlessness, angerlessness, self-restraint, renunciation, straightforwardness, truthfulness, compassion, non-covetousness, steadiness. You will attain Wisdom of the Self or Brahma-Jnana.
29. Be cautious. Be vigilant. Be diligent. Be alert. The senses are very turbulent. They will hurl you down into the abyss of ignorance at any moment. Always do Japa, do Kirtan. Meditate ceaselessly.
1.08 - On freedom from anger and on meekness., #The Ladder of Divine Ascent, #Saint John of Climacus, #unset
6. As with the appearance of light, darkness retreats, so at the fragrance of Humility all anger and bitterness vanishes.
7. Some who are prone to anger are neglectful of the healing and cure of this passion. But these unhappy people do not give a thought to him who said: The moment of his anger is his fall.1
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12. Nothing is so inappropriate to penitents as an agitated spirit, because conversion requires great Humility, and anger is a sign of every kind of presumption.
13. If it is a mark of extreme meekness even in the presence of ones offender to be peacefully and lovingly disposed towards him in ones heart, then it is certainly a mark of hot temper when a person continues to quarrel and rage against his (absent) offender both by words and gestures, even when by himself.
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into the world, and the names of your foul sons and daughters. And not only that, but tell us the designations of those who wage war against you and kill you. And anger tells us in reply: Many are my origins, and I have more than one father. My mothers are vainglory, love of money, greed, and sometimes lust. My father is called conceit. My daughters are: remembrance of wrongs, hatred, enmity, and assertion of rights. But my opponents, who are now holding me captive, are the opposite virtues of freedom from anger and meekness. She who schemes against me is called Humility. But as to who bore Humility, ask her in due time her self.
For the eighth step is appointed the crown of freedom from anger. He who wears it by nature will perhaps wear no other crown. But he who has won it by sweat has conquered all eight together.
1.08 - The Depths of the Divine, #Sex Ecology Spirituality, #Ken Wilber, #Philosophy
The first three stages deal with the ordinary mind or ego, "unregenerate" in the gross, manifest world of thought and sense. In the first Mansion, that of Humility, the ego is still in love with the creatures and comforts outside the Castle, and must begin a long and searching discipline in order to turn within. In the second Mansion (the Practice of Prayer), intellectual study, edification, and good company streng then the desire and capacity to interiorize and not merely scatter and disperse the self in exterior distractions. In the Mansion of Exemplary Life, the third stage, discipline and ethics are firmly set as a foundation of all that is to follow (very similar to the Buddhist notion that sila, or moral discipline, is the foundation of dhyana, or meditation, and prajna, or spiritual insight). These are all natural (or personal) developments.
In the fourth mansion, a supernatural (or transpersonal) grace enters the scene with the Prayer of Recollection and the Prayer of Quiet (which Teresa differentiates by their bodily effects). In both, there is a calming and slowing of gross-oriented faculties (memory, thoughts, senses) and a consequent opening to deeper, more interior spaces with correlative "graces," which Teresa calls, at this stage, "spiritual consolations" (because they are consoling to the self, not yet transcending of the self). On the other hand, it is also as if the soul itself is actually beginning to emerge at this stage: "The senses and all external things seem gradually to lose their hold, while the soul, on the other hand, regains its lost control." And this carries a glimmer of the truth to come, "namely, that God is within us."26
1.08 - The Splitting of the Human Personality during Spiritual Training, #Knowledge of the Higher Worlds, #Rudolf Steiner, #Theosophy
these especially important experiences, for instance, the meeting with Guardian of the Threshold, will be described in the following chapters. Yet we must realize that the hostile powers are none the less present, even though we know nothing of them. It is true that in this case their relation to man is ordained by higher power, and that this relation alters when the human being consciously enters this world hitherto concealed from him. But at the same time his own existence is enhanced and the circle of his life enriched by a great and new field of experience. A real danger can only arise if the student, through impatience or arrogance, assumes too early a certain independence with regard to the experiences of the higher worlds; if he cannot wait to gain really sufficient insight into the supersensible laws. In these spheres, modesty and Humility are far less empty words than in ordinary life. If the student possesses these qualities in the very best sense he may be certain that his ascent into the higher life will be achieved without danger to all that is commonly called health and life. Above all things, no disharmony must ensue between the higher experiences and the events and demands of every-day life. Man's task must be entirely
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1.09 - Legend of Lakshmi, #Vishnu Purana, #Vyasa, #Hinduism
Descending hastily from his elephant, Mahendra endeavoured to appease the sinless Durvāsas: but to the excuses and prostrations of the thousand-eyed, the Muni answered, "I am not of a compassionate heart, nor is forgiveness congenial to my nature. Other Munis may relent; but know me, Śakra, to be Durvāsas. Thou hast in vain been rendered insolent by Gautama and others; for know me, Indra, to be Durvāsas, whose nature is a stranger to remorse. Thou hast been flattered by Vaśiṣṭha and other tender-hearted saints, whose loud praises (lave made thee so arrogant, that thou hast insulted me. But who is there in the universe that can behold my countenance, dark with frowns, and surrounded by my blazing hair, and not tremble? What need of words? I will not forgive, whatever semblance of Humility thou mayest assume."
Having thus spoken, the Brahman went his way; and the king of the gods, remounting his elephant, returned to his capital Amarāvati. Thenceforward, Maitreya, the three worlds and Śakra lost their vigour, and all vegetable products, plants, and herbs were withered and died; sacrifices were no longer offered; devout exercises no longer practised; men were no more addicted to charity, or any moral or religious obligation; all beings became devoid of steadiness[4]; all the faculties of sense were obstructed by cupidity; and men's desires were excited by frivolous objects. Where there is energy, there is prosperity; and upon prosperity energy depends. How can those abandoned by prosperity be possessed of energy; and without energy, where is excellence? Without excellence there can be no vigour nor heroism amongst men: he who has neither courage nor strength, will be spurned by all: and he who is universally treated with disgrace, must suffer abasement of his intellectual faculties.
1.09 - SELF-KNOWLEDGE, #The Perennial Philosophy, #Aldous Huxley, #Philosophy
VICE may be defined as a course of behaviour consented to by the will and having results which are bad, primarily because they are God-eclipsing and, secondarily, because they are physically or psychologically harmful to the agent or his fellows. Ignorance of self is something that answers to this description. In its origins it is voluntary; for by introspection and by listening to other peoples judgments of our character we can all, if we so desire, come to a very shrewd understanding of our flaws and weaknesses and the real, as opposed to the avowed and advertised, motives of our actions. If most of us remain ignorant of ourselves, it is because self-knowledge is painful and we prefer the pleasures of illusion. As for the consequences of such ignorance, these are bad by every criterion, from the utilitarian to the transcendental. Bad because self-ignorance leads to unrealistic behaviour and so causes every kind of trouble for everyone concerned; and bad because, without self-knowledge, there can be no true Humility, therefore no effective self-naughting, therefore no unitive knowledge of the divine Ground underlying the self and ordinarily eclipsed by it.
The importance, the indispensable necessity, of self-knowledge has been stressed by the saints and doctors of every one of the great religious traditions. To us in the West, the most familiar voice is that of Socrates. More systematically than Socrates the Indian exponents of the Perennial Philosophy harped on the same theme. There is, for example, the Buddha, whose discourse on The Setting-Up of Mindfulness expounds (with that positively inexorable exhaustiveness characteristic of the Pali scriptures) the whole art of self-knowledge in all its branchesknowledge of ones body, ones senses, ones feelings, ones thoughts. This art of self-knowledge is practised with two aims in view. The proximate aim is that a brother, as to the body, continues so to look upon the body, that he remains ardent, self-possessed and mindful, having overcome both the hankering and dejection common in the world. And in the same way as to feelings, thoughts and ideas, he so looks upon each that he remains ardent, self-possessed and mindful, without hankering or dejection. Beyond and through this desirable psychological condition lies the final end of man, knowledge of that which underlies the individualized self. In their own vocabulary, Christian writers express the same ideas.
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Spiritual progress is through the growing knowledge of the self as nothing and of the Godhead as all-embracing Reality. (Such knowledge, of course, is worthless if it is merely theoretical; to be effective, it must be realized as an immediate, intuitive experience and appropriately acted upon.) Of one great master of the spiritual life Professor tienne Gilson writes: The displacement of fear by Charity by way of the practice of Humilityin that consists the whole of St. Bernards ascesis, its beginning, its development and its term. Fear, worry, anxiety these form the central core of individualized selfhood. Fear cannot be got rid of by personal effort, but only by the egos absorption in a cause greater than its own interests. Absorption in any cause will rid the mind of some of its fears; but only absorption in the loving and knowing of the divine Ground can rid it of all fear. For when the cause is less than the highest, the sense of fear and anxiety is transferred from the self to the causeas when heroic self-sacrifice for a loved individual or institution is accompanied by anxiety in regard to that for which the sacrifice is made. Whereas if the sacrifice is made for God, and for others for Gods sake, there can be no fear or abiding anxiety, since nothing can be a menace to the divine Ground and even failure and disaster are to be accepted as being in accord with the divine will. In few men and women is the love of God intense enough to cast out this projected fear and anxiety for cherished persons and institutions. The reason is to be sought in the fact that few men and women are humble enough to be capable of loving as they should. And they lack the necessary Humility because they are without the fully realized knowledge of their own personal nothingness.
Humility does not consist in hiding our talents and virtues, in thinking ourselves worse and more ordinary than we are, but in possessing a clear knowledge of all that is lacking in us and in not exalting ourselves for that which we have, seeing that God has freely given it us and that, with all His gifts, we are still of infinitely little importance.
1.1.02 - The Aim of the Integral Yoga, #Letters On Yoga II, #Sri Aurobindo, #Integral Yoga
(4) To talk about the supramental and think of bringing it down in yourself is the most dangerous of all. It may bring an entire megalomania and loss of balance. What the sadhak has to seek is the full opening to the Divine, the psychic change of his consciousness, the spiritual change. Of that change of consciousness, selflessness, desirelessness, Humility, bhakti, surrender, calm, equality, peace, quiet, sincerity are necessary constituents. Until he has the psychic and spiritual change, to think of being supramental is an absurdity and an arrogant absurdity.
All these egoistic ideas, if indulged, can only aggrandise the ego, spoil the sadhana and lead to serious spiritual dangers. They should be rejected altogether.
1.15 - On incorruptible purity and chastity to which the corruptible attain by toil and sweat., #The Ladder of Divine Ascent, #Saint John of Climacus, #unset
He who fights this adversary by bodily hardship and perspiration is like one who has tied his foe to a dry branch. But he who opposes him by temperance, sleeplessness and vigil is like one who puts a dog-collar on him. He who opposes him by Humility, freedom from irritability and thirst is like one who has killed his enemy and hidden him in the sand. And by sand I mean Humility, because it produces no fodder for the passions but is mere earth and ashes.
One keeps this tormentor bound by struggles, another by Humility, and another by divine revelation. The first resembles the morning star, the second the full moon, and the third the blazing
sun; and they all have their home in heaven. But from the dawn comes light, and in the light the sun rises. So too with what has been said, we can reflect and make discoveries.
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I have seen pride lead to Humility. And I remembered him who said: Who has known the mind of the Lord?1 The pit and fruit of conceit is a fall; but a fall is often an occasion of Humility for those who are willing to use it to their advantage.
He who wants to overcome the demon of fornication with gluttony and surfeiting is like a man who puts out a fire with oil.
He who attempts to stop this war by temperance, and by that alone, is like a man who has the idea of escaping the sea by swimming with one hand. Join Humility to temperance, because without the former the latter is useless.
He who sees that some passion is getting the better of him, should first of all take up arms against this passion, and moreover against this passion alone, especially if it is the domestic foe; be cause until this passion is destroyed, we shall not derive any profit from the conquest of other passions. When we have killed this Egyptian,2 we shall certainly see God in the bush of Humility.
During temptation I have felt that this wolf was producing incomprehensible joy, tears and consolation in my soul, but I was really being deceived when I so childishly thought to have fruit from this and not harm.
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Some think that battles and emissions during sleep come only from food. But I have observed that people who are seriously ill and the strictest fasters are very prone to these pollutions. I once asked one of the most experienced and distinguished monks about this, and the blessed man explained it to me very clearly. Emissions during sleep, said that ever-memorable man, come from abundance of food and from a life of ease. They also come from contempt, when we pride ourselves that we have not been subject to these effluxes for a long time. And also they come from judging our neighbour. The last cases, he added, can happen even to the sick. But perhaps all three can. But if anyone is unable to find any of these reasons in himself, then he is indeed blessed to be so free from passion. And if this happens to him, then it comes solely from the envy of the demons, and God allows it for a time in order that, after a sinless mishap, he may obtain the most sublime Humility.
1 Cf. P.G., 88; col. 912, Scholion 26: Heresy is a deviation of the mind from the truth and a sin of the mouth or tongue, whereas fornication is a sin of the whole body, which damages and depraves all the feelings and powers of body and soul, darkens the image and likeness of God in man, and is therefore called a fall. Heresy comes from presumption, while fornication comes from bodily comfort. Therefore heretics are corrected by humiliation, and sensualists by suffering. We add the gist of a Greek note in K. A. Vretoss edition of the Ladder (Constantinople, 1883, p. 91): Obviously heresy is the greatest of sins. But since the passion of fornication has a tyrannical power due to pleasure and attracts attention, it often causes men to fall after repentance. Therefore, the fornicator is debarred for periods from the Holy Mysteries, that he may not return to his vomit and jeopardize his salvation. It also serves to put fear in all, and make them struggle against their passions and use the grace of the Holy Spirit. Heresy is a mental passion that springs from error and ignorance, or from ambition and vainglory. But when the evil is removed, it no longer causes conflict or trouble. Further, spiritual education aims at cutting out evil by the root. By the practice of a strict life, fornicators are trained to forget the pleasure of lust. For whereas the evil of heresy lies only in the mind, the passion of fornication also affects the body with corruption. The man who repents of heresy is at once cleansed by turning to God with his whole personality. But one who returns to God from fornication usually needs time and tears and fasting to get rid of the pleasure and heal the wound in his flesh and stabilize his mind. If, however, both remain unrepentant, they will certainly have the same condemnation.
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On these occasions1 the best aids for us are: sackcloth, ashes, all-night standing, hunger, moistening the tongue in moderation when parched with thirst, dwelling amongst the tombs, and above all Humility of heart; and if possible a spiritual father or a careful brother, an elder in spirit to help us. But I shall be surprised if anyone will be able to save his ship from the sea by himself.
One and the same sin often incurs a condemnation a hundred times greater for one person than for another, according to character, place, progress, and a good deal else.
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When we have struggled much with this demon, partner of filth, and driven it out of our heart, torturing it with the stone of fasting and the sword of Humility, then this wretch like some kind of worm hides itself in our body and endeavours to defile us, tickling us into senseless and untimely movements.
It is those who are subject to the demon of arrogance who especially suffer in this way; because, as their hearts are no longer continually occupied with impure thoughts, they are prone to the passion of pride. And in order to be convinced of the truth of what has been said, when they have achieved a certain measure of holy quiet, let them discreetly examine themselves. Then they will certainly find that some thought is concealed in the depth of their heart like a snake in dung, suggesting to them that they have made some progress in purity of heart by their own effort and zeal. Poor wretches! They do not think of what was said: What hast thou that thou didst not receive3 as a free gift, either from God, or by the co-operation and prayers of others? And so let them look to their own affairs, and let them cast out of their heart with all speed the snake mentioned above, killing it by much Humility, so that when they have got rid of it they may in time be stripped of their clothing of skin4 and as chaste children sing
1 Cf. Step 27: 45. The discerning father appears to be St. Mark the Ascetic in his Admonition to Nicholas (PG. 65 col. 1036 B).
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to the Lord the triumph song of purity; if only, when they are stripped, they do not find themselves naked of that Humility and freedom from malice which is natural to children.
This demon much more than any other watches for critical moments. And when we are physically unable to pray against it, then the unholy creature launches a special attack against us.
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And the flesh might say in reply to its soul: I shall never tell you anything which you do not know equally well, but only of things of which we both have knowledge. I have my father1 within meself-love. The fire which I experience from without comes from humouring me and from general comfort. The fire which burns within comes from past ease and bygone deeds. Having conceived, I give birth to sins, and they, when born, in turn beget death or despair. If you know the deep and obvious weakness which is in both you and me, you have bound my hands. If you starve your appetite, you have bound my feet from going further. If you take the yoke of obedience, you have thrown off my yoke. If you obtain Humility, you have cut off my head.
1 Some Greek versions read mother.
1.15 - Prayers, #Words Of The Mother III, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
With Humility and sincerity.
It goes without saying that all bargaining spirit is an insincerity that takes away all value from the prayer.
1.15 - SILENCE, #The Perennial Philosophy, #Aldous Huxley, #Philosophy
It was not from want of will that I have refrained from writing to you, for truly do I wish you all good; but because it seemed to me that enough has been said already to effect all that is needful, and that what is wanting (if indeed anything be wanting) is not writing or speakingwhereof ordinarily there is more than enough but silence and work. For whereas speaking distracts, silence and work collect the thoughts and streng then the spirit. As soon therefore as a person understands what has been said to him for his good, there is no further need to hear or to discuss; but to set himself in earnest to practise what he has learnt with silence and attention, in Humility, charity and contempt of self.
St. John of the Cross
1.16 - PRAYER, #The Perennial Philosophy, #Aldous Huxley, #Philosophy
To pretend to devotion without great Humility and renunciation of all worldly tempers is to pretend to impossibilities. He that would be devout must first be humble, have a full sense of his own miseries and wants and the vanity of the world, and then his soul will be full of desire after God. A proud, or vain, or worldly-minded man may use a manual of prayers, but he cannot be devout, because devotion is the application of an humble heart to God as its only happiness.
William Law
1.16 - The Suprarational Ultimate of Life, #The Human Cycle, #Sri Aurobindo, #Integral Yoga
What account are the higher parts of mans being, those finer powers in him that more openly tend to the growth of his divine nature, to make with this vital instinct or with its gigantic modern developments? Obviously, their first impulse must be to take hold of them and dominate and transform all this crude life into their own image; but when they discover that here is a power apart, as persistent as themselves, that it seeks a satisfaction per se and accepts their impress to a certain extent, but not altogether and, as it were, unwillingly, partially, unsatisfactorily,what then? We often find that ethics and religion especially, when they find themselves in a constant conflict with the vital instincts, the dynamic life-power in man, proceed to an attitude of almost complete hostility and seek to damn them in idea and repress them in fact. To the vital instinct for wealth and wellbeing they oppose the ideal of a chill and austere poverty; to the vital instinct for pleasure the ideal not only of self-denial, but of absolute mortification; to the vital instinct for health and ease the ascetics contempt, disgust and neglect of the body; to the vital instinct for incessant action and creation the ideal of calm and inaction, passivity, contemplation; to the vital instinct for power, expansion, domination, rule, conquest the ideal of Humility, self-abasement, submission, meek harmlessness, docility in suffering; to the vital instinct of sex on which depends the continuance of the species, the ideal of an unreproductive chastity and celibacy; to the social and family instinct the anti-social ideal of the ascetic, the monk, the solitary, the world-shunning saint. Commencing with discipline and subordination they proceed to complete mortification, which means when translated the putting to death of the vital instincts, and declare that life itself is an illusion to be shed from the soul or a kingdom of the flesh, the world and the devil,accepting thus the claim of the unenlightened and undisciplined life itself that it is not, was never meant to be, can never become the kingdom of God, a high manifestation of the Spirit.
Up to a certain point this recoil has its uses and may easily even, by tapasy, by the law of energy increasing through compression, develop for a time a new vigour in the life of the society, as happened in India in the early Buddhist centuries. But beyond a certain point it tends, not really to kill, for that is impossible, but to discourage along with the vital instincts the indispensable life-energy of which they are the play and renders them in the end inert, feeble, narrow, unelastic, incapable of energetic reaction to force and circumstance. That was the final result in India of the agelong pressure of Buddhism and its supplanter and successor, Illusionism. No society wholly or too persistently and pervadingly dominated by this denial of the life dynamism can flourish and put forth its possibilities of growth and perfection. For from dynamic it becomes static and from the static position it proceeds to stagnation and degeneration. Even the higher being of man, which finds its account in a vigorous life dynamism, both as a fund of force to be transmuted into its own loftier energies and as a potent channel of connection with the outer life, suffers in the end by this failure and contraction. The ancient Indian ideal recognised this truth and divided life into four essential and indispensable divisions, artha, kma, dharma, moka, vital interests, satisfaction of desires of all kinds, ethics and religion, and liberation or spirituality, and it insisted on the practice and development of all. Still it tended not only to put the last forward as the goal of all the rest, which it is, but to put it at the end of life and its habitat in another world of our being, rather than here in life as a supreme status and formative power on the physical plane. But this rules out the idea of the kingdom of God on earth, the perfectibility of society and of man in society, the evolution of a new and diviner race, and without one or other of these no universal ideal can be complete. It provides a temporary and occasional, but not an inherent justification for life; it holds out no illumining fulfilment either for its individual or its collective impulse.
1.2.01 - The Call and the Capacity, #Letters On Yoga II, #Sri Aurobindo, #Integral Yoga
1 The correspondent suggested that in this Yoga a disciple with an occidental mentality might be "even better off" than a disciple with a traditional Indian mentality of Humility and respect for the Guru. - Ed.
1.2.03 - Purity, #Letters On Yoga II, #Sri Aurobindo, #Integral Yoga
As for the way out of the impasse, I know only of the quieting of the mind which makes meditation effective, purification of the heart which brings the divine touch and in time the divine presence, Humility before the Divine which liberates from egoism and the pride of the mind and of the vital, the pride that imposes its own reasonings on the ways of the spirit and the pride that refuses or is unable to surrender, sustained persistence in the call within and reliance on the Grace above. Meditation, japa, prayer or aspiration from the heart can all succeed, if they are attended by these or even some of these things. But I do not know that you can be promised what you always make the condition of any inner endeavour, an immediate or almost immediate realisation or beginning of concrete realisation. I fully
Letters on Yoga - II
1.2.07 - Surrender, #Letters On Yoga II, #Sri Aurobindo, #Integral Yoga
All can be done by the Divine, the heart and nature purified, the inner consciousness awakened, the veils removed, if one gives oneself to the Divine with trust and confidence - and even if one cannot do so fully at once, yet the more one does so, the more the inner help and guidance comes and the contact and the experience of the Divine grows within. If the questioning mind becomes less active and Humility and the will to surrender grow in you, this ought to be perfectly possible. No other strength and tapasya are then needed, but this alone.
Surrender cannot be made at once - it is not so easy; for there is much in the being that resists. But one must have the will to surrender. It is the same with becoming an instrument. If one has the will and calls on the Mother and opens oneself as much as possible to her, then gradually these things develop in the nature.
1.21 - Families of the Daityas, #Vishnu Purana, #Vyasa, #Hinduism
Diti, having lost her children, propitiated Kaśyapa; and the best of ascetics, being pleased with her, promised her a boon; on which she prayed for a son of irresistible prowess and valour, who should destroy Indra. The excellent Muni granted his wife the great gift she had solicited, but with one condition: "You shall bear a son," he said, "who shall slay Indra, if with thoughts wholly pious, and person entirely pure, you carefully carry the babe in your womb for a hundred years." Having thus said, Kaśyapa departed; and the dame conceived, and during gestation assiduously observed the rules of mental and personal purity. When the king of the immortals, learnt that Diti bore a son destined for his destruction, he came to her, and attended upon her with the utmost Humility, watching for an opportunity to disappoint her intention. At last, in the last year of the century, the opportunity occurred. Diti retired one night to rest without performing the prescribed ablution of her feet, and fell asleep; on which the thunderer divided with his thunderbolt the embryo in her womb into seven portions. The child, thus mutilated, cried bitterly; and Indra repeatedly attempted to console and silence it, but in vain: on which the god, being incensed, again divided each of the seven portions into seven, and thus formed the swift-moving deities called Mārutas (winds). They derived this appellation from the words with which Indra had addressed them (Mā rodīh, 'Weep not'); and they became forty-nine subordinate divinities, the associates of the wielder of the thunderbolt[24].
Footnotes and references:
1.21 - IDOLATRY, #The Perennial Philosophy, #Aldous Huxley, #Philosophy
What follows is an extract from a very remarkable letter written in 1836 by Thomas Arnold to his old pupil and future biographer, A. P. Stanley. Fanaticism is idolatry; and it has the moral evil of idolatry in it; that is, a fanatic worships something which is the creation of his own desire, and thus even his self-devotion in support of it is only an apparent self-devotion; for in fact it is making the parts of his nature or his mind, which he least values, offer sacrifice to that which he most values. The moral fault, as it appears to me, is the idolatry the setting up of some idea which is most kindred to our own minds, and the putting it in the place of Christ, who alone cannot be made an idol and inspire idolatry, because He combines all ideas of perfection and exhibits them in their just harmony and combination. Now in my own mind, by its natural tendency that is, taking my mind at its besttruth and justice would be the idols I should follow; and they would be idols, for they would not supply all the food which the mind wants, and whilst worshipping them, reverence and Humility and tenderness might very likely be forgotten. But Christ Himself includes at once truth and justice and all these other qualities too. Narrow-mindedness tends to wickedness, because it does not extend its watchfulness to every part of our moral nature, and the neglect fosters wickedness in the parts so neglected.
As a piece of psychological analysis this is admirable. Its only defect is one of omission; for it neglects to take into account those influxes from the eternal order into the temporal, which are called grace or inspiration. Grace and inspiration are given when, and to the extent to which, a human being gives up self-will and abandons himself, moment by moment, through constant recollectedness and non-attachment, to the will of God. As well as the animal and spiritual graces, whose source is the divine Nature of Things, there are human pseudo-gracessuch as, for example, the accessions of strength and virtue that follow self-devotion to some form of political or moral idolatry. To distinguish the true grace from the false is often difficult; but as time and circumstances reveal the full extent of their consequences on the soul, discrimination becomes possible even to observers having no special gifts of insight. Where the grace is genuinely supernatural, an amelioration in one aspect of the total personality is not paid for by atrophy or deterioration elsewhere. The virtue which is accompanied and perfected by the love and knowledge of God is something quite different from the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees which, for Christ, was among the worst of moral evils. Hardness, fanaticism, uncharitableness and spiritual pridethese are the ordinary by-products of a course of stoical self-improvement by means of personal effort, either unassisted or, if assisted, seconded only by the pseudo-graces which are given when the individual devotes himself to the achievement of an end which is not his true end, when the goal is not God, but merely a magnified projection of his own favourite ideas or moral excellences. The idolatrous worship of ethical values in and for themselves defeats its own objectand defeats it not only because, as Arnold insists, there is a lack of all-round development, but also and above all because even the highest forms of moral idolatry are God-eclipsing and therefore guarantee the idolater against the enlightening and liberating knowledge of Reality.
1.22 - EMOTIONALISM, #The Perennial Philosophy, #Aldous Huxley, #Philosophy
Besides, you are not accustomed to be contented with a simple good willyour self-love wants a lively emotion, a reassuring pleasure, some kind of charm or excitement. You are too much used to be guided by imagination and to suppose that your mind and will are inactive, unless you are conscious of their workings. And thus you are dependent upon a kind of excitement similar to that which the passions arouse, or theatrical representations. By dint of refinement you fall into the opposite extremea real coarseness of imagination. Nothing is more opposed, not only to the life of faith, but also to true wisdom. There is no more dangerous illusion than the fancies by which people try to avoid illusion. It is imagination which leads us astray; and the certainty which we seek through imagination, feeling, and taste, is one of the most dangerous sources from which fanaticism springs. This is the gulf of vanity and corruption which God would make you discover in your heart; you must look upon it with the calm and simplicity belonging to true Humility. It is mere self-love to be inconsolable at seeing ones own imperfections; but to stand face to face widi them, neither flattering nor tolerating them, seeking to correct oneself without becoming pettishthis is to desire what is good for its own sake, and for Gods.
Fnelon
1.22 - On the many forms of vainglory., #The Ladder of Divine Ascent, #Saint John of Climacus, #unset
It is not he who depreciates himself who shows Humility (for who will not put up with himself?) but he who maintains the same love for the very man who reproaches him.
I have noticed the demon of vainglory suggesting thoughts to one brother, while he reveals them to another, and he incites the latter to tell the former what is in his heart, and then praises him as a thought reader. And sometimes, unholy creature that he is, he even touches the bodily members and produces palpitations.
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Vainglory incites monks given to levity to anticipate the arrival of lay guests and to go out of the cloister to meet them. It makes them fall at their feet and, though full of pride, it feigns Humility. It checks manner and voice, and keeps an eye on the hands of visitors in order to receive something from them. It calls them lords and patrons, graced with godly life. To those sitting at table it suggests abstinence, and it rebukes subordinates mercilessly. It stirs those who are slack at standing in psalmody to make an effort; those who have no voice become good singers and the sleepy wake up. It flatters the conductor, and begs to be given first place in the choir; it calls him father and master as long as the guests are still there.
Vainglory makes those who are preferred, proud, and those who are slighted, resentful.
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For the sake of extreme dispassion, rich gifts, miracle-working and prophetic powers, many exhaust their bodies in vain. They do not know, poor wretches, that it is not toil so much as Humility that is the mother of such perfections.
He who asks God for gifts in return for his labours has laid unsure foundations. He who regards himself as a debtor will unexpectedly and suddenly receive riches.
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The Lord often brings the vainglorious to a state of Humility through the dishonour that befalls them.
The beginning of the conquest of vainglory is the custody of the mouth and love of being dishonoured; the middle stage is a beating back of all known acts of vainglory; and the end (if there is an end to an abyss) consists in trying to behave in the presence of others so that we are humbled without feeling it.
1.23 - On mad price, and, in the same Step, on unclean and blasphemous thoughts., #The Ladder of Divine Ascent, #Saint John of Climacus, #unset
12. An angel5 fell from heaven without any other passion except pride, and so we may ask whether it is possible to ascend to heaven by Humility alone without any other of the virtues.
13. Pride is loss of wealth and sweat. They cried but there was none to save, no doubt because they cried with pride. They cried to the Lord and He heard them not,6 no doubt because they were not trying to cut out the faults against which they prayed.
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27. A monk has an abyss of Humility into which he has plunged and suffocated every evil spirit.
28. Forgetfulness of our sins is the result of conceit, for the remembrance of them leads to Humility.
29. Pride is utter penury of soul, under the illusion of wealth, imagining light in its darkness. The foul passion not only blocks our advance, but even hurls us down from the heights.
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37. I once caught this mad2 imposter as it was rising in my heart bearing on its shoulders its mother, vainglory. Roping them with the noose of obedience and thrashing them with the whip of Humility, I demanded how they got access to me. At last, when flogged, they said: We have neither beginning nor birth, for we are the originators of all the passions. Contrition of heart that is born of obedience is our real enemy; we cannot bear to be subject to anyone; that is why we fell from heaven, though we had authority there.
1 Psalm lix 13; cvii 13.
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In brief, we are the parents of all that opposes Humility; for everything which furthers Humility, opposes us. Our power extends to all short of heaven, so where will you run from our presence? We often accompany patience under dishonour, and obedience, and freedom from anger, and lack of resentment, and service of ones neighbour. Our offspring are the sins of spiritual people: anger, calumny, spite, irritability, shouting, blasphemy, hypocrisy, hatred, envy, disputing, self-will, disobedience.
There is only one thing in which we have no power to meddle; and we shall tell you this, for we cannot bear your blows: If you keep up a sincere condemnation of yourself before the Lord you can count us as weak as a cobweb. For prides saddle-horse, as you see, is vainglory on which I am mounted. But holy Humility and self-accusation laugh at both the horse and its rider, happily singing the song of victory: Let us sing to the Lord, for gloriously has He been glorified: horse and rider He has thrown into the sea1 and into the abyss of Humility.
1 Exodus xv, 1
1.240 - 1.300 Talks, #Talks, #Sri Ramana Maharshi, #Hinduism
A middle-aged, weak-looking man came with a walking stick in his hand, placed it before Bhagavan, bowed low and sat near Maharshi. He got up and with great Humility offered the stick to Bhagavan, saying that it was sandal-wood. Sri Bhagavan told him to keep it for himself. Because nothing of Bhagavan's can be safeguarded. Being common property but coveted by some, it will be taken away by any visitor with or without
Bhagavan's permission. Then the donor may be displeased.
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M.: Pride of learning and desire for appreciation are condemned and not learning itself. Learning leading to search for Truth and Humility is good.
[A request from the same seeker: The above questioner has spent two very precious days in physical proximity to Bhagavan Maharshi
1.240 - Talks 2, #Talks, #Sri Ramana Maharshi, #Hinduism
A middle-aged, weak-looking man came with a walking stick in his hand, placed it before Bhagavan, bowed low and sat near Maharshi. He got up and with great Humility offered the stick to Bhagavan, saying that it was sandal-wood. Sri Bhagavan told him to keep it for himself. Because nothing of Bhagavans can be safeguarded. Being common property but coveted by some, it will be taken away by any visitor with or without
Bhagavans permission. Then the donor may be displeased.
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M.: Pride of learning and desire for appreciation are condemned and not learning itself. Learning leading to search for Truth and Humility is good.
[A request from the same seeker: The above questioner has spent two very precious days in physical proximity to Bhagavan Maharshi
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He was reprimanded by his uncle and this lady. The uncles wife said with Humility and gentleness: Quite. No wonder that one destined for this high state could not do such humble work in those days.
Then Sri Bhagavan remarked, If I refused to wear koupina once, I am now made to pay the penalty by wearing it always.
1.24 - On meekness, simplicity, guilelessness which come not from nature but from habit, and about malice., #The Ladder of Divine Ascent, #Saint John of Climacus, #unset
The morning light precedes the sun, and the precursor of all Humility is meekness. Therefore let us hear in what order the Light arranges these virtues, for He says: Learn of Me, for I am meek and humble in heart.4 So then before looking at the sun, which is Humility, we must be illumined by the light, which is meekness, and then we can look with a clear gaze at the sun. For it is impossible, absolutely impossible, to gaze upon the sun before we have experienced that light, as we have learnt from the order in which the Lord has put these virtues.
Meekness is an unchangeable state of mind, which remains the same in honour and dishonour.
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An upright soul is a fellow lodger with Humility, but an evil one is a daughter of pride.
The souls of the meek are filled with knowledge, but an angry mind is a denizen of darkness and ignorance.
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Malice is a perversion of honesty, a deceitful way of thinking, falsely screened by affability, false oaths, ambiguous words, dissimulation of heart, an abyss of cunning, deceit that has become a habit, conceit turned into nature, a foe to Humility, a pretence of penitence, diminution of mourning, hostility to confession, wilfulness, an agent of falls, a hindrance to resurrection, a smiling at offences, affected frowning, false reverence, diabolical life.
1 Psalm xxiv, 9.
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Excellent too is that simplicity which is in some by nature, yes, and blessed, but not as much as that which is grafted in with toil and trouble after repenting from sin. For the former is sheltered and protected from much affectation and passion, but the latter leads to the highest Humility and meekness. The former has not much reward, but the latterinfinite, infinite.
Let all of us who wish to attract the Lord to ourselves draw near to Him as disciples to the Master, simply, without hypocrisy, without duplicity or guile, not out of idle curiosity. He Himself is simple and absolute, and He wants souls that come to Him to be simple and innocent. For you will surely never see simplicity separated from Humility.
The evil man is a false prophet who thinks that from words he can catch thoughts, and from outward appearance, dispositions of the heart.
1.25 - ADVICE TO PUNDIT SHASHADHAR, #The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, #Sri Ramakrishna, #Hinduism
The Master was pleased with the pundit's Humility. He praised him to the devotees.
MASTER: "He has such a nice nature. You find no difficulty in driving a nail into a mud wall. But its point breaks if you try to drive it against a stone; and still it will not pierce it. There are people whose spiritual consciousness is not at all awakened even though they hear about God a thousand times. They are like a crocodile, on whose hide you cannot make any impression with a sword "
1.25 - On the destroyer of the passions, most sublime humility, which is rooted in spiritual feeling., #The Ladder of Divine Ascent, #Saint John of Climacus, #unset
object:1.25 - On the destroyer of the passions, most sublime Humility, which is rooted in spiritual feeling.
subject:Christianity
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On the destroyer of the passions, most sublime Humility, which is rooted in spiritual feeling.
1. He who thinks that it is possible to use the visible word in order to describe the sensation and effect of the love of the Lord exactly, holy Humility gracefully, blessed purity truly, divine enlightenment clearly, the fear of God honestly, assurance of heart sincerely, and imagines that by his description of things of this kind he will enlighten those who have never actually experienced them, is like a man who by words and comparisons wants to give an idea of the sweetness of honey to people who have never tasted it. But just as the latter talks in vain, not to say babbles, so the former either gives the impression of having no experience of what he is talking about, or else has become the mere toy of vainglory.1
2. This subject sets a treasure before us as a touchstone, preserved in ear then vessels, that is to say in our bodies, and it is of a quality that baffles all description. This treasure has one inscription which is incomprehensible because it comes from above, and those who try to explain it with words give themselves great and endless trouble. And the inscription runs thus: Holy Humility.
3. Let all who are led by the Spirit of God enter with us into this spiritual and wise gathering, holding in their spiritual hands the God-inscribed tablets of knowledge. We have met, we have investigated, and we have probed the meaning of this precious inscription. And one said: It2 means constant oblivion of ones achievements. Another: It is the acknowledgement of oneself as the last of all and the greatest sinner of all. And another: The minds recognition of ones weakness and impotence. Another again: In fits of rage it means to forestall ones neighbour and be first to stop the quarrel. And again another: Recognition of divine grace and divine mercy. And again another: The feeling of a contrite soul, and the renunciation of ones own will. But when I had listened to all this and had attentively and soberly considered it, I found that I had not been able to comprehend the blessed sense of that virtue from what had been said. Therefore, last of all, having gathered what fell from the lips of those learned and blessed fathers as a dog gathers the crumbs that fall from the table, I too gave my definition of it and said: Humility is a nameless grace in the soul, its name known only to those who have learned it by experience. It is unspeakable wealth, a name and gift from God, for it is said: Learn not from an angel, not from man, and not from a book, but from Me, that is, from Me indwelling, from My illumination and action in you, for I am meek and humble in heart and in thought and in spirit, and your souls shall find rest from conflicts and relief from arguments.3
4. The appearance of this sacred vine is one thing during the winter of the passions, another in the spring of fruit-blossom, yet another in the actual harvest of the virtues. Yet all these different stages concur in gladness and fruit-bearing, and therefore they all have their own signs and sure evidence of fruit to come. For as soon as the cluster of holy Humility begins to blossom within us, we at once begin, though with an effort, to hate all human glory and praise, and to banish from ourselves irritation and anger. In proportion as this queen of virtues makes progress in our soul by spiritual growth, so we regard all the good deeds accomplished by us as nothing, or rather as an abomination, assuming that
1 St. John Chrysostom says: The gifts of God are so great that people can scarcely ever believe it. And it is not surprising if they cannot understand them till they know by experience. (On 1 Timothy, Homily 4.)
2 I.e. Humility.
3 St. Matthew xi, 29.
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6. Painstaking repentance, mourning cleansed of all impurity, and holy Humility in beginners, are as different and distinct from each other as yeast and flour from bread. By open repentance the soul is broken and refined; it is brought to a certain unity, I will even say a commingling with God, by means of the water of genuine sorrow. Then, kindled by the fire of the Lord, blessed Humility becomes bread and is made firm without the leaven of pride. Therefore when this holy three-fold cord or, rather, heavenly rainbow, unites into one power and activity, it acquires its own effects and properties. And whatever you name as a sign of one of them, is a token also of another. And so I shall try to prove what I have just said by a brief demonstration.
7. The first and paramount property of this excellent and admirable trinity is the acceptance of indignity with the greatest pleasure, when the soul receives it with outstretched hands and welcomes it as something that relieves and cauterizes diseases of the soul and great sins. The second property is the loss of all bad temper, and modesty at its appeasement. The third and highest degree is a true distrust of ones good qualities and a constant desire to learn.
8. The end of the Law and the Prophets is Christ for the righteousness of every believer.1 And the end of the impure passions is vainglory and pride for everyone who does not deal with this matter. But their destroyer, this spiritual stag,2 keeps him who lives with it immune from all deadly poison. For where can the poison of hypocrisy appear in Humility? Where is the poison of calumny? And where will a snake nestle and hide? Will it not rather be drawn out of the earth of the heart and be killed and destroyed?
9. In union with Humility it is impossible that there should be any appearance of hatred, or any kind of dispute, or even a sniff of disobedience, unless perhaps faith is called in question.
10. He who has taken Humility as his bride is above all gentle, kind, full of compunction, sympathetic, calm, bright, compliant, inoffensive, wide awake, not indolent and (why say more?) free from passion; for the Lord remembered us in our Humility, and delivered us from our enemies,3 and our passions and impurities.
11. A humble monk will not meddle with mysteries, but a proud one will pry into judgments.4
12. The demons praised one of the most discerning brothers, appearing to him in visible form. But this most wise man said to them: If you cease to praise me through the thoughts of my heart, I shall conclude from your departure that I am great. But if you continue to praise me, from your very praise I shall guess my impurity; for every proud-hearted man is unclean before the Lord.5 And so either go away from me, and then I shall become great, or else praise me and through you I shall obtain more Humility. Struck with bewilderment, they immediately vanished from sight.
1 1 Romans, X, 4.
2 I.e. Humility (Psalm xli, 1).
3 Psalm cxxxv, 234.
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15. Repentance raises the fallen, mourning knocks at the gate of heaven, and holy Humility opens it; but I affirm this and I worship Trinity in Unity, and Unity in Trinity.
16. All visible things get their light from the sun, and all that is done according to reason gets its force from Humility. Where there is no light, everything is dark; where there is no Humility, all that we have is rotten.
17. In the whole universe there is one place4 that has only once seen the sun, and there is one thought5 which has often given birth to Humility. And there was one day only on which the whole world rejoiced,6 and there is one virtue only which the demons cannot imitate.7
18. It is one thing to exalt oneself, another not to exalt oneself, and another to humble oneself. One person may be always judging others; another does not judge others, but he does not condemn himself; a third, although he is innocent, is always passing judgment on himself.
19. It is one thing to be humble, another to strive for Humility, and another to praise the humble. The first belongs to the perfect, the second to the truly obedient, and the third to all the faithful.
20. He who has humbled himself within will not be cheated by his lips; for what is not in the treasury cannot be brought out through this door.
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23. Holy Humility said: My lover will not rebuke, or judge, or rule, or display his wisdom, until he has attained union with me. For when he is united with me, the law is no longer applicable to him.9
24. The foul fiend whispered praise into the heart of an ascetic who was striving for blessed Humility, but by divine inspiration he contrived to conquer the guile of the spirits by a pious ruse. He rose and wrote on the wall of his cell the names of the highest virtues in order, that is: perfect love, angelic Humility, pure prayer, inviolable chastity and others like these. And so when thoughts of vainglory began to praise him, he said to them: Let us go and be judged. Then, going to the wall, he read the names and cried to himself: When you possess all these, then you will know how far you still are from God!
25. We cannot describe the power and essence of this sun, Humility, but from its properties and effects we can explain its intrinsic nature.
1 Cf. St. Matthew v, 3; St. John, iv, 14.
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7 The one virtue inaccessible to the demons is Humility.
8 I.e. pride.
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26. Humility is a divine shelter to prevent us from seeing our achievements. Humility is an abyss of self-abasement, inaccessible to any thief. Humility is a strong tower against the face of the enemy.1 The enemy shall not prevail against him, nor shall the son, or rather, the thought of iniquity do him evil: and he will cut off his enemies from his face and will conquer them that hate him.2
27. Besides all the distinguishing properties indicated above, the great possessor of this wealth also has others in his soul. And all these properties except one are visible signs of this wealth. You will know with certainty that you have this holy possession within you by an abundance of unspeakable light, by an unutterable love for prayer; and before this is attained, by a heart that does not judge the faults of others. And the precursor of what has been said is hatred of all vainglory.
28. He who has got to know himself by discerning each feeling of his soul has sown on earth; but those who have not thus sown cannot expect Humility to blossom in them.
29. He who has come to know himself has obtained an understanding of the fear of the Lord; and he who has walked by the aid of this fear, has reached the door of love.
30. Humility is the door of the Kingdom that introduces those who draw near to it. And I think that the Lord was speaking of this door when He said: He shall enter and shall pass out of life without fear, and shall find pasture and green grass in paradise. All who have entered the monastic life by any other door are thieves and robbers of their own life.3
31. We who wish to understand must not cease to examine this. And if our soul is sufficiently perceptive to realize that our neighbour is better in every respect than we are, then the Divine mercy is near us.
32. It is impossible for snow to burst into flame; still more difficult is it for Humility to dwell in an unorthodox person. This is something which the pious and faithful achieve, and then only when they have been purified.
33. Most of us call ourselves sinners, and perhaps really think it; but it is indignity that tests the heart.
34. He who is hastening to that tranquil harbour of Humility will never cease to do all that he can and will drive himself on by words and thoughts and afterthoughts and various means, by investigations and researches, and by his whole life, by prayers and supplication, meditating and reflection, and using all imaginable means until with Gods help and by abiding in humiliations and the most despised conditions and by toils he delivers the ship of his soul from the ever-recurring storms of the sea of vainglory. For he who is delivered from this sin, is easily pardoned all the rest of his sins, like the publican in the Gospel.
35. There are some who all their lives use the bad deeds previously done by them, and for which they had received forgiveness, as a motive for Humility, thereby driving out their vain self-esteem. Others, having in mind Christs passion, regard themselves always as debtors. Others hold themselves cheap for their daily defects. Others as a result of their besetting temptations, infirmities and sins have mortified their pride. Others for want of graces have appropriated the mother of graces (i.e. Humility). There are also people (if they still exist) who for the sake of the very gifts of God, in the measure that they receive them, humble themselves and so live as to account themselves unworthy of such wealth, and each day add it to their debt. Such is Humility, such is beatitude, such is the perfect reward!
36. When you see or hear that someone has in a few years acquired the most sublime dispassion, then conclude that he travelled by no other way than by this blessed short-cut.
37. A holy team are love and Humility; the one exalts, and the other, supporting the exalted ones, never allows it to fall.
1 Psalm lx, 4.
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38. Contrition is one thing, self-knowledge is another, Humility is another.
39. Contrition is the result of a fall. He who falls is crushed and stands in prayer without boldness but with praiseworthy persistence, as one who is shattered, steadying himself with the staff of hope and using it to drive off the dog of despair.
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41. Humility is the spiritual doctrine of Christ which is spiritually received in the closet of the soul by those who are counted worthy of it. It cannot be explained in visible words.
42. He who says that he fully feels the fragrance of such myrrh yet feels, when praised, even a momentary movement of the heart, or understands the force of the words, that man (let him make no mistake about it) is already mistaken.
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44. If the limit and rule and characteristic of extreme pride is for a man to feign such virtues as he does not possess for the sake of glory, then it follows that a sign of the deepest Humility will be to cheapen ourselves by pretending to have faults that we do not possess. It was in this way that he behaved who took into his hands bread and cheese.3 Likewise the exponent of purity who took off his clothes and, free of passion, went through the whole city.4 Such men care nothing for human censure. They have already received invisible power through prayer to reassure all. But he who is anxious about the former will show a lack of the latter.5 When God is prepared to attend to our prayer, then we can do anything.
45. It is better to offend men than God. God rejoices when He sees us running to meet dishonour, so as to crush, strike and destroy our vain self-esteem.
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47. By this shall all men know that we are Gods disciples,6 not because the devils are subject to us, but because our names are written in the heaven of Humility.7
48. The natural property of the lemon tree is such that it lifts its branches upwards when it has no fruit, but the more the branches bend down the more fruit they bear. Those who have the mind to understand will grasp the meaning of this.
49. Holy Humility obtains from God the power to bear fruit thirty fold, sixty fold and one hundredfold.8 The dispassionate attain to the last degree, the courageous to the middle, and all can rise to the first.
50. He who has come to know himself is never tricked into undertaking what is beyond him, but keeps his feet safely on the blessed path of Humility.
1 Psalm cxiii, 9.
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51. Birds fear the sight of a hawk, and those who practise Humility fear the sound of argument.
52. Many have received salvation without prophecies and lights, without signs and wonders; but without Humility no one will enter the marriage chamber, because Humility is the guardian of these gifts, and without her they will bring frivolous people to ruin.
53. For those of us who do not wish to humble ourselves the Lord has arranged in His providence that no one can see his faults as well as his neighbour does. So we are bound to give thanks for our healing not to ourselves but to our neighbour and to God.
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57. It is impossible to see fire, small or great, in any natural creature; and it is absolutely impossible that anything of a material nature should be found in sincere Humility. As long as we fall into voluntary sins, there is not this Humility in us; and that is the sign that there is still something material in us.
58. The Lord, knowing that the virtue of the soul is modelled on outward behaviour, took a towel4 and showed us how to walk the way of Humility. For the soul becomes like its bodily occupations. It conforms itself to its activities and takes its shape from them. Sovereignty served as a ground for arrogance for one of the angels, although that was not why it was conferred on him.
59. He who sits on a throne has certain dispositions, and he who sits on a dunghill has others. And that is perhaps why that great saint sat on the dunghill outside the city, for then when he had obtained perfect Humility he said with deep feeling: I abhor myself and melt away, and have accounted myself earth and ashes.5
60. I find that Manasseh sinned as no other man has sinned by defiling the temple of God with idols and contaminating all the divine worship. If the whole world had undertaken a fast for him it could have made no reparation for this. But Humility had power to remedy even what was incurable in him. If Thou hadst desired sacrifice I would have given it, says David to God; but Thou wilt not be pleased with holocausts, that is, with bodies consumed by fasting. The sacrifice for Godand everyone knows what follows.6
1 1 Corinthians iv, 4.
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61. I have sinned against the Lord, blessed Humility once cried to God after committing adultery and murder; and he soon heard: The Lord has put away thy sin.1
62. The ever-memorable Fathers laid down that the way to Humility and its foundations is bodily toil. And I would say obedience and honesty of heart, because they are naturally opposed to self-esteem.
63. If the pride of some of the angels made them demons,2 no doubt Humility can make angels out of demons. So those who have fallen may take courage!
64. Let us hasten with all our powers to fight our way to the crest of Humility. Failing this, let us at least mount on her shoulders. And if our effort is not sufficient for this, let us at least not fall out of her arms; for I hardly think a man who falls out of them will receive any eternal gift.
65. The sinews of Humility and its ways, but not its signs, are: poverty, hidden withdrawal from the world, concealment of wisdom, simplicity of speech, asking of alms, hiding of nobility, banishment of familiarity, putting chatter out of court.
66. Nothing can so humble the soul as a state of destitution and a beggars subsistence. For we only prove to be philosophers and lovers of God when, having the possibility of exaltation, we flee from it irrevocably.
67. If you take up arms against some passion, take Humility as an ally, for she will tread upon the asp and basilisk, that is, sin and despair, and will trample underfoot the lion and serpent,3 that is, the devil and the snake of the body.
68. Humility is a heavenly siphon which from the abyss of sins can raise the soul to heaven.
69. Someone saw in his heart the beauty of Humility and, seized with amazement, asked her to tell him the name of her parent. Smiling joyfully and serenely at him, Humility replied: How is it you are in a hurry to know the name of my parent? He is nameless, and I cannot tell you until you possess God. To Him be the glory for ever and ever! Amen.
1 2 Kings xii, 13.
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The mother of the fountain is the deep sea, and the fountain of discernment is Humility.
1.25 - SPIRITUAL EXERCISES, #The Perennial Philosophy, #Aldous Huxley, #Philosophy
Noverim me, noverim Te, St. Francis of Assisi used to repeat. Self-knowledge, leading to self-hatred and Humility, is the condition of the love and knowledge of God. Spiritual exercises that make use of distractions have this great merit, that they increase self-knowledge. Every soul that approaches God must be aware of who and what it is. To practice a form of mental or vocal prayer that is, so to speak, above ones moral station is to act a lie: and the consequences of such lying are wrong notions about God, idolatrous worship of private and unrealistic phantasies and (for lack of the Humility of self-knowledge) spiritual pride.
It is hardly necessary to add that this method has, like every other, its dangers as well as its advantages. For those who employ it there is a standing temptation to forget the end in the all too squalidly personal meansto become absorbed in a whitewashing or remorseful essay in autobiography to the exclusion of the pure Divinity, before whom the angry ape played all the fantastic tricks which he now so relishingly remembers.
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When you are walking alone, or elsewhere, glance at the general will of God, by which He wills all the works of his mercy and justice in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and approve, praise and then love that sovereign will, all holy, all just, all beautiful. Glance next at the special will of God, by which He loves his own, and works in them in divers ways, by consolation and tribulation. And then you should ponder a little, considering the variety of consolations, but especially of tribulations, that the good suffer; and then with great Humility approve, praise and love all this will. Consider that will in your own person, in all the good or ill that happens to you and may happen to you, except sin; then approve, praise and love all that, protesting that you will ever cherish, honour and adore that sovereign will, and submitting to Gods pleasure and giving Him all who are yours, amongst whom am I. End in a great confidence in that will, that it will work all good for us and our happiness. I add that, when you have performed this exercise two or three times in this way, you can shorten it, vary it and arrange it, as you find best, for it should often be thrust into your heart as an aspiration.
St. Franois de Sales
1.26 - On discernment of thoughts, passions and virtues, #The Ladder of Divine Ascent, #Saint John of Climacus, #unset
(H) Humility (T) freedom from worldly cares
(I) vigil (U) hateless hatred of parents
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All the contrary virtues are born of parents contrary to these. But without enlarging on the subject (for I should not have time if I were to inquire into them all one by one), I will merely say that for all the passions mentioned above, the remedy is Humility. Those who have obtained that virtue have won the whole fight.
The mother of all the vices is pleasure and malice. He who has them within him will not see the Lord; and abstinence from the first will bring but little benefit without abstinence from the second.
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The present generation is seriously corrupt and all full of pride and hypocrisy. In bodily labours it perhaps reaches the level of our ancient Fathers, but it is not graced with their gifts, though I think nature never had such need of spiritual gifts as now. And we have got what we deserve. For God is manifested not in labours but in simplicity and Humility. And if the power of the Lord is made perfect in weakness, the Lord will certainly not reject a humble worker.
1 Cf. Job xlli, 2; St. Luke i, 37, etc.
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In drawing water from a well we sometimes without noticing it bring up a frog with the water, and so in acquiring the virtues we often get involved in the vices that are imperceptibly entwined with them. The kind of thing I mean is that gluttony is entangled with hospitality; lust with love; cunning with discernment; malice with thoughtfulness; duplicity, procrastination, laziness, contradiction, wilfulness and disobedience with meekness; contempt of instruction with silence; conceit with joy; indolence with hope; harsh judgment with love again; despondency and sloth with quietness; acerbity with chastity; familiarity with Humility; and behind them all1 as a general salve, or rather poison, follows vainglory.
We should not be distressed if in asking the Lord for something we remain for a time unheard. It would have pleased the Lord if all men in a single moment had become dispassionate, only His foresight told Him that this would not be for their good.
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Above nature are chastity, freedom from anger, Humility, prayer, vigil, fasting, constant compunction. Some of them men teach us, others angels, and of others the Teacher and Giver is God the Word Himself.
When confronted by evils, we should choose the least. For instance, it often happens that we are standing at prayer, and brothers come to us, and we have to do one of two things: either to stop praying, or to grieve the brother by leaving him without an answer. Love is greater than prayer, because prayer is a particular virtue but love embraces all the virtues.
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Often Divine Providence leaves certain slight passions in spiritual people so that by unsparingly condemning themselves for those trifling and venial defects they may obtain that wealth of Humility which none can steal.
It is impossible for those who have not first lived in obedience to obtain Humility; for everyone who has learned an art on his own fancies himself.
The Fathers state that the active life consists in two virtues of the most general kind: in fasting and obedience. And rightly, for the first destroys sensuality, and the other reinforces this destruction with Humility. That is why mourning also has a double power, for it destroys sin and produces Humility.
To the pious it is natural to give to everyone who asks; and to the more pious to give even to him who does not ask. But not to demand a thing back from the person who took it, especially when they have the chance, is characteristic perhaps only of the dispassionate.
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There is a demon of avarice which often apes Humility; and there is a demon of vainglory, and one of sensuality too, which both urge to almsgiving. However, if we are clear of them both, we should not stint our acts of mercy wherever we are.
Some have said that demons work against demons; but I know that they all seek our destruction.
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pollutions, perhaps on account of conceit, and a time of cleansing by Humility; a time for struggle, and a time for safe relaxation; a time for quiet, and a time for undistracted distraction; a time for unceasing prayer, and a time for sincere service. So let us not be deceived by proud zeal and seek prematurely what will come in its own good time; that is, we should not seek in winter what comes in summer, or at seed time what comes at harvest; because there is a time to sow labours, and a time to reap the unspeakable gifts of grace. Otherwise we shall not receive even in season what is proper to that season.
By the ineffable providence of God some have received holy returns for their toiling before their labours, some during their labours, some after labours, and some at the time of their death. It is a question which of them was rendered more humble?
There is a despair that is the consequence of a multitude of sins, of a burdened conscience and unbearable sorrow because the soul is covered with a multitude of wounds and it sinks under the burden of them into the depth of despair. And there is another kind of sorrow that comes to us from pride and conceit, when someone considers that he has not deserved a fall that he has had. The observant will find the distinguishing feature of each: the one cooly gives way to indifference, the other in despair still clings to his struggle which does not accord with his state. The former is cured by temperance and good hope, and the latter by Humility and the habit of not judging anyone.
It should not surprise us or seem to us strange when we see that some do bad deeds under cover of good words; for perhaps even in Paradise the snake was destroyed by overwhelming conceit.
In all your undertakings and in every way of life, whether you are living in obedience, or are not submitting your work to anyone, whether in outward or in spiritual matters, let this be your rule and practice, to ask yourself: Am I really doing this in accordance with Gods will? For example, when we, I mean beginners, carry out some task and the Humility acquired from this action is not added to our soul, then in my opinion, be the matter great or small, we are not doing it according to God. For in us who are still young in the spiritual life, growth in Humility is the fulfilment of the Lords will; and for those who have reached a middle state perhaps the test is the cessation of inner conflicts; and for the perfect, an increase and abundance of the divine light.
Even a small thing can be not small to the great; but to the small, even great things are not altogether perfect.
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Those who wish to learn the will of the Lord must first mortify their own will. Then, having prayed to God with faith and honest simplicity, and having asked the fathers or even the brothers with Humility of heart and no thought of doubt, they should accept their advice as from the mouth of God, even if their advice be contrary to their own view, and even if those consulted are not very spiritual. For God is not unjust, and will not lead astray souls who with faith and innocence humbly submit to the advice and judgment of their neighbour. Even if those who were asked were brute beasts, yet He who speaks is the Immaterial and Invisible One. Those who allow themselves to be guided by this rule without having any doubts are filled with great Humility. For if someone expounded his problems on a harp,7 how much better, do you think, can a rational mind and reasonable soul teach than an inanimate object.
On account of self-will many have not accepted the perfect and easy blessing mentioned above, and having tried to discover what was pleasing to the Lord of themselves and in themselves, have handed on to us many and various judgments concerning this matter.
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God is not unjust and does not close the door against those who knock with Humility.
1 Ecciesiasticus v, 78.
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There are courageous souls who with love and Humility of heart throw themselves into tasks that are beyond them; and there are proud hearts who do the same. For our foes often intentionally suggest to us things beyond our powers so that these should cause us to lose heart and leave even what is within our power and make ourselves a great laughing-stock to our enemies.
I have seen those who were sick in soul and body who, because of the multitude of their sins, engaged in battles that were beyond them and which they could not continue. I say to such as these that God judges our repentance not by our labours but by our Humility.
Sometimes upbringing is the cause of great evils, and sometimes company. But often a warped soul is of itself sufficient for its ruin. He who is clear of the first two is free from the third as well. But whoever has the third defect is reprobate everywhere; for there is no place safer than heaven.1
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The man who despairs of himself when he hears of the supernatural virtues of the saints is most unreasonable. On the contrary, they teach you supremely one of two things: either they rouse you to emulation by their holy courage, or they lead you by way of thrice-holy Humility to deep self-contempt and realization of your inherent weakness.
Amongst the impure evil demons, there are some more evil than others. They suggest to us that we should not commit sin alone, but they counsel us to have others as companions in evil in order to make our punishment more severe. I have seen one learning a bad habit from another, and although he who taught came to his senses and began to repent and gave up doing wrong, his repentance was ineffectual on account of the influence of his pupil.
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All who show surprise at every trifle do so for two reasons: either from crass ignorance, or else they magnify and exalt the deeds of their neighbour with a view to Humility.
Let us make an effort not only to wrestle with the demons but also to wage war on them. The former sometimes throws them, and is sometimes thrown;4 but the latter is continuously hounding the foe.5
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Divine providence causes the sun to rise in us for our edification, and then for a time to set,3 and then He makes darkness His hiding place,4 and night falls, in which prowl the fierce young lions, which had previously left us and all the beasts of the forest of thorny passions, roaring to snatch the hope that is in us, and seeking from God their food of passions either in thought or in action. And again through the darkness of Humility the sun rises upon us and the wild beasts gather together and lie down in their dens,5 that is to say in sensual hearts, but not in us. Then the demons say amongst themselves: The Lord has done great things for them. And we say to them: The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad6 but you are banished. Behold, the Lord rides on a swift cloud, no doubt the soul that is raised above all earthly desire, and comes into Egypt, into the heart already darkened, and will shatter the idols of mans making,7 that is, vain thoughts of the mind.
If Christ, although omnipotent, as man fled bodily from Herod, then let the rash learn not to hurl themselves into temptations. For it is said: Let not thy foot be moved, nor him (the angel) who keeps thee slumber.8
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When they enter monastic life the young and the aged are not afflicted by the same passions, because they often have quite opposite infirmities Therefore, blessed, truly blessed is Humility, because it makes repentance safe and effective for young and old alike.
1 Philippians ii, 8.
1.27 - Describes the great love shown us by the Lord in the first words of the Paternoster and the great importance of our making no account of good birth if we truly desire to be the daughters of God., #The Way of Perfection, #Saint Teresa of Avila, #Christianity
is so wonderful that Thou shouldst descend to such a degree of Humility as to join with us when
we pray and make Thyself the Brother of creatures so miserable and lowly! How can it be that, in
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Behold, my Lord, with the love that Thou hast for us and with Thy Humility, nothing can be an
obstacle to Thee. And then, Lord, Thou hast been upon earth and by taking our nature upon Thee
1.27 - On holy solitude of body and soul., #The Ladder of Divine Ascent, #Saint John of Climacus, #unset
40. The signs of those who are lawfully, unadulterously and sincerely wedded to this orderly and fair obedience, both in reality and according to the teaching of the inspired Fathers, are these and everyday (if only we have consecrated a day to the Lord)5 they reach forward and obtain increase and progress so that they become perfect in due time: an increase of elementary Humility, a lessening of bad
1 Cf. he was a burning and shining light (St. John v, 35).
1.28 - Describes the nature of the Prayer of Recollection and sets down some of the means by which we can make it a habit., #The Way of Perfection, #Saint Teresa of Avila, #Christianity
would not be Humility on your part if the King were to do you a favour and you refused to accept
it; but you would be showing Humility by taking it, and being pleased with it, yet realizing how far
you are from deserving it. A fine Humility it would be if I had the Emperor of Heaven and earth in
my house, coming to it to do me a favour and to delight in my company, and I were so humble that
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Have nothing to do with that kind of Humility, daughters, but speak with Him as with a Father,
a Brother, a Lord and a Spouse-and, sometimes in one way and sometimes in another, He will
1.28 - On holy and blessed prayer, mother of virtues, and on the attitude of mind and body in prayer., #The Ladder of Divine Ascent, #Saint John of Climacus, #unset
12. Do not be bold, even though you may have attained purity; but rather approach with great Humility, and you will receive still more boldness.
13. Though you may have climbed the whole ladder of the virtues, pray for forgiveness of sins. Listen to the cry of Paul regarding sinners: Of whom I am the first.3
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20. One kind of joy occurs at the time of prayer for those living in a community, and another comes to those who pray as solitaries. The one is perhaps somewhat elated, but the other is wholly filled with Humility.
21. If you constantly train your mind never to wander, then it will be near you during meals too. But if it wanders unrestrained, then it will never stay beside you. A great practiser of high and perfect prayer says: I would rather speak five words with my understanding,2 and so on. But such prayer is foreign to infant souls. Therefore, imperfect as we are, we need not only quality but a considerable time for our prayer, because the latter paves the way for the former. For it is said: Giving pure prayer to him who prays3 resolutely, even though sordidly and laboriously.
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51. It is one thing frequently to keep watch over the heart, and another to supervise the heart by means of the mind, that ruler and bishop that offers spiritual sacrifices to Christ. When the holy and heavenly fire comes to dwell in the souls of the former, as says one of those who have received the title of Theologian,4 it burns them because they still lack purification, whereas it enlightens the latter according to the degree of their perfection. For one and the same fire is called both the fire which consumes and the light which illuminates.5 That is why some people come from prayer as if they were marching out of a fiery furnace and feel relief as from some defilement and from all that is material, while others are as if illumined with light and clothed in a garment of joy and Humility. But those who come from prayer without experiencing either of these two effects have prayed bodily (not to say after the Jewish fashion), and not spiritually.
52. If a body is changed in its activity from contact with another body, then how can he remain unchanged who touches the body of God with innocent hands?6
53. We see that our all-good King, like an earthly king, sometimes distributes His gifts to his warriors Himself, sometimes through a friend, sometimes through a slave, and sometimes in an unknown way; and it will be according to the garment of Humility that each of us wears.
54. Just as an earthly king is disgusted by a man who turns his face away and talks to his masters enemies while in his presence, so will the Lord be disgusted by a man who admits unclean thoughts during his set time of prayer.
1.29 - Concerning heaven on earth, or godlike dispassion and perfection, and the resurrection of the soul before the general resurrection., #The Ladder of Divine Ascent, #Saint John of Climacus, #unset
10. If it is the acme of gluttony to force oneself to eat even when one has no appetite, then it is certainly the acme of temperance for a hungry man to overcome nature when it is blameless.8 If it is extreme sensuality to rave over irrational and even inanimate creatures, then it is extreme purity to hold all persons in the same regard as inanimate things. If it is the height of cupidity to go on collecting and never be satisfied, it is the height of poverty not to spare even ones own body. If it is the height of despondency, while living in complete peace, not to acquire patience, then it is the height of patience to think of oneself even in affliction as being at rest. If it is called a sea of wrath for a person to be savage even when no one is about, then it will be a sea of long-suffering to be as calm in the presence of your slanderer as in his absence. If it is the height of vainglory when a person, seeing no one near him to praise him, puts on affected behaviour, it is certainly a mark of its absence, not to let your thought be beguiled in the presence of those who praise you. If it is a sign of perdition (that is to say, pride) to be arrogant even in poor clothing, then it is a mark of saving Humility to have humble thoughts in the midst of high undertakings and achievements. If it is a sign of complete enslavement to the passions to yield readily to everything the demons sow in us, then I take it as a mark of holy dispassion to be able to say honestly: The evil one who dodges me, I have not known;9 nor how he came, nor why, nor how he went; but I am completely unaware of everything of this kind, because I am wholly united with God, and always will be.
11. He who has been granted such a state, while still in the flesh, always has God dwelling within him as his Guide in all his words, deeds and thoughts. Therefore, through illumination he apprehends the Lords will as a sort of inner voice. He is above all human instruction and says: When shall I come and appear before the face of God?10 For I can no longer bear the force of love; I long for the immortal beauty which Thou hast given me in exchange for this clay.
1.30 - Concerning the linking together of the supreme trinity among the virtues., #The Ladder of Divine Ascent, #Saint John of Climacus, #unset
7. Love, by reason of its nature, is a resemblance to God, as far as that is possible for mortals; in its activity it is inebriation of the soul; and by its distinctive property it is a fountain of faith, an abyss of patience, a sea of Humility.
8. Love is essentially the banishment of every kind of contrary thought for love thinks no evil.1
1.32 - Expounds these words of the Paternoster Fiat voluntas tua sicut in coelo et in terra. Describes how much is accomplished by those who repeat these words with full resolution and how well, #The Way of Perfection, #Saint Teresa of Avila, #Christianity
to those who omit to ask for them out of Humility because they think themselves to be incapable
of bearing them, though for my own part I believe that He who gives them love enough to ask for
--
brought to this state. It causes it, not profit, but harm, for nothing but Humility is of any use here,
and this is not acquired by the understanding but by a clear perception of the truth, which
--
you had quite cold. You must practise simplicity and Humility, for those are the virtues which
achieve everything. You must say: "Fiat voluntas tua."
1.33 - Treats of our great need that the Lord should give us what we ask in these words of the Paternoster Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie., #The Way of Perfection, #Saint Teresa of Avila, #Christianity
will were one, yet the Humility of the good Jesus was such that He wanted, as it were, to ask leave
of His Father, for He knew that He was His beloved Son and that He was well pleased with Him.
--
O Eternal Father, how great is the merit of this Humility! With what a treasure are we purchasing
Thy Son! How to sell Him we already know, for He was sold for thirty pieces of silver; but, if we
1.36 - Treats of these words in the Paternoster Dimitte nobis debita nostra., #The Way of Perfection, #Saint Teresa of Avila, #Christianity
reason for this is that those to whom God grants the favour of possessing such Humility and great
love for Him forget themselves when there is a possibility of rendering Him greater services, and
1.38 - Treats of the great need which we have to beseech the Eternal Father to grant us what we ask in these words: Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Explains certain temptations. This chapter is noteworthy., #The Way of Perfection, #Saint Teresa of Avila, #Christianity
Always strive after Humility, sisters, and try to realize that you are not worthy of these graces,
and do not seek them. It is because many souls do this, I feel sure, that the devil loses them: he
--
that, if we serve the Lord with Humility, He will sooner or later succour us in our needs. But, if we
are not strong in this virtue, the Lord will leave us to ourselves, as they say, at every step. This is
--
The same thing happens with regard to Humility.134We think that we have no desire for honour
and that we care nothing about anything; but as soon as our honour comes to be slighted in some
1.39 - Continues the same subject and gives counsels concerning different kinds of temptation. Suggests two remedies by which we may be freed from temptations.135, #The Way of Perfection, #Saint Teresa of Avila, #Christianity
Beware also, daughters, of certain kinds of Humility which the devil inculcates in us and which
make us very uneasy about the gravity of our past sins. There are many ways in which he is
--
yourselves so wicked may be Humility and virtue and at other times a very great temptation. I have
134
--
tempted by false kinds of Humility and for confessors." This is found in T. and in most of the editions.
126
--
had experience of this, so I know it is true. Humility, however deep it be, neither disquiets nor
troubles nor disturbs the soul; it is accompanied by peace, joy and tranquillity. Although, on realizing
--
sinfulness, and rightly think that everyone should hate us, yet, if our Humility is true, this distress
is accompanied by an interior peace and joy of which we should not like to be deprived. Far from
--
favours bring Humility with them and always leave us with more light by which we may see our
own unworthiness. I will say no more here, for you will find many books which give this kind of
1.400 - 1.450 Talks, #Talks, #Sri Ramana Maharshi, #Hinduism
He was reprimanded by his uncle and this lady. The uncle's wife said with Humility and gentleness: "Quite. No wonder that one destined for this high state could not do such humble work in those days."
Then Sri Bhagavan remarked, "If I refused to wear koupina once, I am now made to pay the penalty by wearing it always."
14.03 - Janaka and Yajnavalkya, #Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol 05, #Nolini Kanta Gupta, #Integral Yoga
Once upon a time King Janaka invited sages from everywhere, whoever wanted to come to the assembly. The king from time to time used to call such assemblies for spiritual discussion and interchange of experiences. This time he summoned the assembly for a special reason. He had collected a herd of one thousand cows and nuggets of gold were tied to the horns of each. When all had gathered and taken their places he announced that whoever considered himself the best knower of Brahman (Brahmishtha) might come forward and take away the cows. None stirred. No one had the temerity to declare that he was the best knower and the most eligible for the prize. The king repeated his announcement. Then all of a sudden people saw Yajnavalkya advancing and telling his disciples to take hold of the herd and drive it home. A hue and cry arose: How is it? How dare he? One came forward and asked Yajnavalkya: How is it, Yajnavalkya? Do you consider yourself the most wise in the matter of Brahman? First prove your claim and then touch the cows. Yajnavalkya in great Humility bowed down and said to the assembly: I bow down to the great sages. I have come here solely with the intention of getting the cows. As for the knowledge of Brahman, I leave it to the knowers of Brahman. All the others in one voice said: That will not do, Yajnavalkya. You cannot get away so easily. Come, sit down and prove your worth. Yajnavalkya had no way of escape. So one by one the sages came up and put questions and enigmas to Yagnavalkya. All he answered quietly and perfectly to their full satisfaction. Towards the end a woman stood up, Gargi, a fair and famous name too. She said: Yajnavalkya, I shall put two questions to you like two arrows directed at you, even as a king shoots his arrows at his enemies; if you can meet and parry them, yours the victory. Yajnavalkaya: "Let me hear then". Gargi: "Yajnavalkya, you once said that the earth is the warp and woof woven upon water; upon what is woven the water?" Yajnavalkya: "Air". "Upon what then is air woven?" "Sky". "Upon what is woven the sky?" "The world of Gandharvas." "Upon what the Gandharvas?""Upon the Sun." She continued her questioning. And thus she was led successively through higher and higher worlds from the Sun to the Moon, then to the Stars, then to the Gods and the King of Gods, then to the Creator of the Gods and the peoples1 and finally to the Brahmaloka (the world of the One Supreme Transcendent Reality).
Gargi still continued and asked again: "Upon what is Brahman woven?" To this Yajnavalkya cried halt and warned her: "Now, Gargi, your questioning goes too far, beyond the limits. If you question farther, your head will fall off. You are questioning about a thing that does not bear questioning m ati prksih anati prany devat the Gods abide not our question." So Gargi had to desist and Yajnavalkya was accepted as the best of the sages (Brahmishtha) and he could drive his cattle away home.
1.4.03 - The Guru, #Letters On Yoga II, #Sri Aurobindo, #Integral Yoga
What the Guru can do for the sadhak depends upon the latter's receptivity - not upon any method or rule of sadhana. Certain psychological conditions or attitudes of the consciousness tend to increase the receptivity - e.g., Humility towards the Guru, devotion, obedience, trust, a certain receptive passivity to his influence. The opposite things - independence, a critical attitude, questionings - go the other way and make it necessary for the Guru to help only indirectly or behind the veil. But the main thing is a kind of psychological openness in the consciousness which comes or increases of itself with the help of the will to receive and the right attitude. If there is that then it is not necessary to pull anything from the Guru, only to receive quietly.
Pulling from him often draws untruly or things for which the consciousness is not ready to assimilate.
1.40 - Describes how, by striving always to walk in the love and fear of God, we shall travel safely amid all these temptations., #The Way of Perfection, #Saint Teresa of Avila, #Christianity
to find out what is wrong with them, say their prayers, walk in Humility and beseech the Lord not
to lead them into temptation, into which, I fear, they will certainly fall unless they bear this sign.
1.42 - Treats of these last words of the Paternoster Sed libera nos a malo. Amen. But deliver us from evil. Amen., #The Way of Perfection, #Saint Teresa of Avila, #Christianity
strive to learn from so excellent a Master the Humility with which He prays, and all the other things
that have been described. May His Majesty forgive me for having dared to speak of such high
--
thanks to Him for this, sisters, for He must have done it because of the Humility with which you
asked me to write it for you in your desire to be instructed by one so unworthy.
1.439, #Talks, #Sri Ramana Maharshi, #Hinduism
When someone teaches Humility to the seeker, he will reach the
way and not till then.
1.50 - A.C. and the Masters; Why they Chose him, etc., #Magick Without Tears, #Aleister Crowley, #Philosophy
This was my crazed Humility; I honestly thought that everyone knew all about Magick, and how it was done, and why, and so on. There was little to do but to erect a superstructure of symbolism. This, by the way, has hampered me all my life, in every way; I am so aware of my own shameful ignorance on every subject there is no mistake about this! that I cannot conceive of any human being who is actually more ignorant than myself. How could such an one endure to live, with the consciousness of his infamy gnawing his liver?
I know this sounds mad; but it's true. Well, then, I set myself to repair the omission with Part III; this should be a really complete treatise on the Art and Science of magick, and it should be worked out from the beginning, a logical sequence like Euclid. Hence Axiom, Postulate and Theorems. I supposed even then that I could cover the field with another volume comparable in size with the former two.
1.52 - Family - Public Enemy No. 1, #Magick Without Tears, #Aleister Crowley, #Philosophy
But suppose you are of those specially chosen to execute some necessary operation in the course of Their plans? Quite another pair of boots to tread that Path. Don't imagine that you are not on it yet, either, just because you happen to be in a mood of Humility. A pawn may be more powerful than a Rook, in some positions.
However, even if you are not on it, you can start to-day. That is one of the matters that depends exclusively on you.
1914 05 09p, #Prayers And Meditations, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
Just at the moment when I was feeling the imperious need of resuming these notes regularly so as to come out of this overwhelming mental inertia, my physical organism suffered a defeat such as it had not known for several years and during a few days all the forces of my body failed me; I saw in this a sign that I had made a mistake, that my spiritual energy had weakened, my vision of the omnipotent Oneness had been clouded, that some wrong suggestion had managed to disturb me in some way, and I bowed down before Thee, O Lord, my sweet Master, with Humility, conscious that I was not yet ready for a perfect identification with Thee. Something in this aggregate which constitutes the instrument I can put at Thy service is still obscure and obtuse; something does not respond as it should to Thy forces, deforms and darkens their manifestation.
A great problem came up before me and illness covered it with its veil and prevented me from solving it. Now that I am living once more in the feeling of Thy Oneness, the problem no longer seems to have any sense and I do not understand it very well any more.
1915 03 07p, #Prayers And Meditations, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
[But it refuses to despair, it refuses to believe that the misfortune is irreparable; it waits with Humility in an obscure and hidden effort and struggle for the breath of Thy perfect joy to penetrate it again. And perhaps each of its modest and secret victories is a true help brought to the earth.
If it were possible to come definitively out of this external consciousness, to take refuge in the divine consciousness! But that Thou hast forbidden and still and always Thou forbidst it. No flight out of the world! The burden of its darkness and ugliness must be borne to the end even if all divine succour seems to be withdrawn. I must remain in the bosom of the Night and walk on without compass, without beacon-light, without inner guide.
1953-05-13, #Questions And Answers 1953, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
No, and to the extent it is necessary, it will come spontaneously. All of a sudden, you will be seized by something that makes you still, makes you concentrate in the vision of an idea or of a psychological state. That captures you. You must not resist. Then you make the needed progress. At such a moment you see, you understand something; and then the next minute you start your work again with that something gained in you, but without any pretension. What I most fear are those who believe themselves very exceptional because they sit down and meditate. Of all things this is the most dangerous, because they become so vain and so full of self-satisfaction that they close up in this way all avenues of progress. There is one thing that has always been said, but always misunderstood, it is the necessity of Humility. It is taken in the wrong way, wrongly understood and wrongly used. Be humble, if you can be so in the right way; above all, do not be so in the wrong way, for that leads you nowhere. But there is one thing: if you can pull out from your-self this weed called vanity, then indeed you will have done something. But if you knew how difficult it is! You cannot do a thing well, cannot have a fine idea, cannot have a right movement, cannot make a little progress without getting puffed up inside (even without being aware of it), with a self-satisfaction full of vanity. And you are obliged then to hammer it hard to break it. And still broken bits remain and these begin to germinate. One must work the whole of ones life and never forget to work in order to uproot this weed that springs up again and again and again so insidiously that you believe it is gone and you feel very modest and say: It is not I who have done it, I feel it is the Divine, I am nothing if He is not there, and then the next minute, you are so satisfied with yourself simply for having thought that!
What is the right and the wrong way of being humble?
It is very simple, when people are told be humble, they think immediately of being humble before other men and that Humility is wrong. True Humility is Humility before the Divine, that is, a precise, exact, living sense that one is nothing, one can do nothing, understand nothing without the Divine, that even if one is exceptionally intelligent and capable, this is nothing in comparison with the divine Consciousness, and this sense one must always keep, because then one always has the true attitude of receptivitya humble receptivity that does not put personal pretensions in opposition to the Divine.
You have said: If you surrender you have to give up effort, but that does not mean that you have to abandon also all willed action.
1953-06-03, #Questions And Answers 1953, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
There is something very beautiful in both, I shall speak to you about it one day, I shall tell you what there is in aspiration and what in prayer and why both of them are beautiful. Some dislike prayer; if they entered deep into their heart, they would find it was prideworse than that, vanity. And then there are those who have no aspiration, they try and they cannot aspire; it is because they do not have the flame of the will, it is because they do not have the flame of Humility.
Both are needed. There must be a very great Humility and a very great will to change ones Karma.
Voil, au revoir, my children.
1954-04-28 - Aspiration and receptivity - Resistance - Purusha and Prakriti, not masculine and feminine, #Questions And Answers 1954, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
It depends first of all upon sincerityon whether one really wants to receive and then yes, I believe the principal factors are sincerity and Humility. There is nothing that closes you up more than vanity. When you are self-satisfied, you have that kind of vanity of not wanting to admit that you lack something, that you make mistakes, that you are incomplete, that you are imperfect, that you areThere is something in the nature, you know, which grows stiff in this way, which does not want to admitit is this which prevents you from receiving. You have, however, only to try it out and get the experience. If, by an effort of will you manage to make even a very tiny part of the being admit that Ah, well, yes, I am mistaken, I should not be like that, and I should not do that and should not feel that, yes, it is a fault, if you manage to make it admit this, at first, as I said just now, it begins by hurting you very much, but when you hold on firmly, until this is admitted, immediately it is openit is open and strangely a flood of light enters, and then you feel so glad afterwards, so happy that you ask yourself, Why, from what foolishness did I resist so long?
But when one is so self-satisfied, can one still aspire?
1954-08-25 - Ananda aspect of the Mother - Changing conditions in the Ashram - Ascetic discipline - Mothers body, #Questions And Answers 1954, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
The first condition is a healthy Humility which makes you realise that unless you are sustained, nourished, helped, enlightened, guided by the Divine, you are nothing at all. There now. When you have felt that, not only understood it with your mind, but felt it down to your very body, then you will begin to be wise, but not before.
What is that other thing, Mother, that you have written?
1954-09-15 - Parts of the being - Thoughts and impulses - The subconscient - Precise vocabulary - The Grace and difficulties, #Questions And Answers 1954, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
This is the most important point. It is to have a certain inner Humility which makes you aware of your helplessness without the Grace, that truly, without it you are incomplete and powerless. This, to begin with, is the first thing.
It is an experience one can very well have. When, you see, even people who know nothing find themselves in quite difficult circumstances or facing a problem which must be solved or, as I just told you, an impulse which must be overcome or something that has disturbed them and then they realise they are lost, they dont know what to doneither their mind nor their will nor their feelings helpthey dont know what to do, then it happen; there is within them something like a kind of call, a call to something which can do what one cannot. One aspires to something which is capable of doing what one cant do.
1954-12-22 - Possession by hostile forces - Purity and morality - Faith in the final success -Drawing back from the path, #Questions And Answers 1954, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
Yet usually the people whom I have found most difficult to convert are very respectable people. I am sorry, but I have had much more difficulty with respectable people than with those who were not so, for they had such a good opinion of themselves that it was impossible to open them. But the true thing is difficult. That is to say, one must be very vigilant and very self-controlled, very patient, and have a never-failing goodwill. One must not neglect having a small dose of Humility, a sufficient one, and one must never be satisfied with the sincerity one has. One must always want more.
(To a child) What do you have to say, you? Nothing? Nobody has anything to say? Where is he, the other boy? He is not in his place. He is not in his place, he isnt there. He was afraid I would ask him questions. So then, nothing more? Nobody has anything to say?
1956-01-25 - The divine way of life - Divine, Overmind, Supermind - Material body for discovery of the Divine - Five psychological perfections, #Questions And Answers 1956, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
And the third: there are people who have what may be called a warped and excessive modesty or Humility and who tell themselves, Surely the Divine has thrown me out, I am good for nothing, He can do nothing with me, the only thing for me is to give up the game, for He finds me unworthy of Him!
So, unless one adds to faith a total and complete trust in the Divine Grace, there will be difficulties. So both are necessary.
1956-05-16 - Needs of the body, not true in themselves - Spiritual and supramental law - Aestheticised Paganism - Morality, checks true spiritual effort - Effect of supramental descent - Half-lights and false lights, #Questions And Answers 1956, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
It is very difficult for a virtuous man to enter the path of God; this has been said very often, but it is altogether true, for he is most self-satisfied, he thinks he has realised what he ought to have realised, he no longer has either the aspiration or even that elementary Humility which makes one want to progress. You see, one who is known here as a sattwic man1 is usually very comfortably settled in his own virtue and never thinks of coming out of it. So, that puts you a million leagues away from the divine realisation.
What really helps, until one has found the inner light, is to make for oneself a certain number of rules which naturally should not be too rigid and fixed, but yet should be precise enough to prevent one from going completely out of the right path or making irreparable mistakesmistakes the consequences of which one suffers all ones life.
1956-08-22 - The heaven of the liberated mind - Trance or samadhi - Occult discipline for leaving consecutive bodies - To be greater than ones experience - Total self-giving to the Grace - The truth of the being - Unique relation with the Supreme, #Questions And Answers 1956, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
In other words: no ambition, no vanity, no pride. A sincere self-giving, a sincere Humility, and one is sheltered from all danger. There you are, this is what I call being greater than ones experience.
Now, does anyone have a question?
1956-11-14 - Conquering the desire to appear good - Self-control and control of the life around - Power of mastery - Be a great yogi to be a good teacher - Organisation of the Ashram school - Elementary discipline of regularity, #Questions And Answers 1956, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
Naturally, when it is a reason of progress, the attitude is not quite the same, for instead of trying to make a good impression, one must first endeavour to know the impression one is actually making, in all Humility, in order to profit by the lesson this gives. That is quite rare, and in fact, if one isnt too nave, one usually attaches importance only to the opinion of those who have more experience, more knowledge and more wisdom than oneself. And so that leads us straight to one of the best methods of cure. It is precisely to come to understand that the opinion of those who are as ignorant and blind as ourselves cannot have a very great value for us from the point of view of the deeper reality and the will to progress, and so one stops attaching much importance to that.
Finally, if one is sincere one desires no other approval except that of ones teacher or ones guru or of the Divine Himself. And thats the first step towards a total cure of this little weakness of wishing to make a good impression on people. Now, if the movement comes from a motive of utility, the one I spoke of first, the question does not arise here, for here we do not depend upon the opinion others have of us, either for living or for our development. So there remains the most frequent instance, the one most difficult to cure: that kind of small, very foolish vanity which makes you like to be complimented and dislike being criticised. So the best way is to look at yourself, to see how very ridiculous you are, how petty, paltry, stupid and all that, to laugh a little at yourself and resolve to do without the compliments of others.
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But how can you hope Let us see, you have an indisciplined, disobedient, insolent pupil; well, that represents a certain vibration in the atmosphere which, besides, is unfortunately very contagious; but if you yourself do not have within you the opposite vibration, the vibration of discipline, order, Humility, of a quietude and peace which nothing can disturb, how do you expect to have any influence? You are going to tell him that this should not be done?Either that will make things worse or he will make fun of you!
Usually
1958 11 21, #On Thoughts And Aphorisms, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
The conclusion is always the same: the only true attitude is one of Humility, of silent respect before what one does not know, and of inner aspiration to come out of ones ignorance. One of the things which would make humanity progress most would be for it to respect what it does not know, to acknowledge willingly that it does not know and is therefore unable to judge. We constantly do just the opposite. We pass final judgments on things of which we have no knowledge whatsoever, and say in a peremptory manner, This is possible. That is impossible, when we do not even know what it is we are speaking of. And we put on superior airs because we doubt things of which we have never had any knowledge.
Men believe that doubt is a sign of superiority, whereas it is really a sign of inferiority.
1.fs - The Count Of Hapsburg, #Schiller - Poems, #Friedrich Schiller, #Poetry
The Count with Humility lowly,
'The steed I henceforward should dare to bestride
1.fs - The Fight With The Dragon, #Schiller - Poems, #Friedrich Schiller, #Poetry
By self-subdued Humility."
1.he - Hakuins Song of Zazen, #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
English version by Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki Original Language Japanese All beings are primarily Buddhas. It is like water and ice: There is no ice apart from water; There are no Buddhas apart from beings. Not knowing how close the truth is to them, Beings seek for it afar -- what a pity! They are like those who, being in the midst of water, Cry out for water, feeling thirst. They are like the son of the rich man, Who, wandering away from his father, Goes astray amongst the poor. It is all due to their ignorance That beings transmigrate in the darkness Of the Six Paths of existence. When they wander from darkness to darkness, How can they ever be free from birth-and-death? As for the Dhyana practice as taught in the Mahayana, No amount of praise can exhaust its merits. The Six Paramitas--beginning with the Giving, Observing the Precepts, And other good deeds, variously enumerated, Such as Nembutsu, Repentance, Moral Training, and so on -- All are finally reducible to the practice of Dhyana. The merit of Dhyana practice, even during a single sitting, Erases the countless sins accumulated in the past. Where then are the Evil Paths to misguide us? The Pure Land cannot be far away. Those who, for once, listening to the Dharma In all Humility, Praise it and faithfully follow it, Will be endowed with innumerable merits. But how much more so when you turn your eyes within yourselves And have a glimpse into your self-nature! You find that the self-nature is no-nature - The truth permitting no idle sophistry. For you, then, open the gate leading to the oneness of cause and effect; Before you, then, lies a straight road of non-duality and non-trinity. When you understand that form is the form of the formless, Your coming-and-going takes place nowhere else but where you are. When you understand that thought is the thought of the thought-less. Your singing-and-dancing is no other than the voice of the Dharma. How boundless is the sky of Samadhi! How refreshingly bright is the moon of the Fourfold Wisdom! Being so is there anything you lack? As the Absolute presents itself before you The place where you stand is the Land of the Lotus, And your person -- the body of the Buddha. [2139.jpg] -- from Essays in Zen Buddhism, First Series, by Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki
1.ia - Modification Of The R Poem, #Arabi - Poems, #Ibn Arabi, #Sufism
Humble your self [nafs] to them in doubtless Humility
a Humility that takes the place of proper manners [adab]
And lay down your head and ask for forgiveness for no reason
1.jr - On Love, #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
English version by Alan Jacobs (versified from the Nicholson translation) Original Language Persian/Farsi & Turkish Love's way is Humility and intoxication, The torrent floods down. How can it run up? You'll be a cabuchon in the ring of lovers, If you're a red ruby's slave, dear friend ; Even as Earth is a serf of the sapphire sky And your monkey body's a slave to your spirit. What did Earth ever lose by this relationship? What mercy has the Self showed to weary limbs? One shouldn't beat the snare drum of awakening Beneath a cosy sofa's, comfy counterpane. Hoist, like a hero, your flag in the desert. Listen with your soul's ear to the song, In that hollow of the vast turquoise dome, Rising from the lover's passionate moan . When your tight gown-strings are loosened By the tipsy inebriation of perfect love, The victorious heavens shout, triumphantly! And the constellations gaze down ashamed. This world is in deep trouble, from top to bottom, But it can be swiftly healed by the balm of love. <
1.pbs - Queen Mab - Part III., #Shelley - Poems, #Percy Bysshe Shelley, #Fiction
Who, great in his Humility as kings
Are little in their grandeur; he who leads
1.poe - Eureka - A Prose Poem, #Poe - Poems, #unset, #Zen
IT is with Humility really unassumed -it is with a sentiment even of awe -that I pen the opening sentence of this work: for of all conceivable subjects I approach the reader with the most solemn -the most comprehensive -the most difficult -the most august.
What terms shall I find sufficiently simple in their sublimity sufficiently sublime in their simplicity -for the mere enunciation of my theme?
--
If the propositions of this Discourse are tenable, the "state of progressive collapse" is precisely that state in which alone we are warranted in considering All Things; and, with due Humility, let me here confess that, for my part, I am at a loss to conceive how any other understanding of the existing condition of affairs, could ever have made its way into the human brain. "The tendency to collapse" and "the attraction of gravitation" are convertible phrases. In using either, we speak of the reaction of the First Act. Never was necessity less obvious than that of supposing Matter imbued with an ineradicable quality forming part of its material nature -a quality, or instinct, forever inseparable from it, and by dint of which inalienable principle every atom is perpetually impelled to seek its fellow-atom. Never was necessity less obvious than that of entertaining this unphilosophical idea. Going boldly behind the vulgar thought, we have to conceive, metaphysically, that the gravitating principle appertains to Matter temporarily -only while diffused only while existing as Many instead of as One -appertains to it by virtue of its state of irradiation alone -appertains, in a word, altogether to its Condition, and not in the slightest degree to itself. In this view, when the irradiation shall have returned into its source -when the reaction shall be completed -the gravitating principle will no longer exist. And, in fact, astronomers, without at any time reaching the idea here suggested, seem to have been approximating it, in the assertion that "if there were but one body in the Universe, it would be impossible to understand how the principle, Gravity, could obtain": -that is to say, from a consideration of Matter as they find it, they reach a conclusion at which I deductively arrive. That so pregnant a suggestion as the one quoted should have been permitted to remain so long unfruitful, is, nevertheless, a mystery which I find it difficult to fathom.
It is, perhaps, in no little degree, however, our propensity for the continuous -for the analogical -in the present case more particularly for the symmetrical which has been leading us astray. And, in fact, the sense of the symmetrical is an instinct which may be depended upon with an almost blindfold reliance. It is the poetical essence of the Universe -OF0,0 which, in the supremeness of its symmetry, is but the most sublime of poems. Now symmetry and consistency are convertible terms: -thus Poetry and Truth are one. A thing is consistent in the ratio of its truth -true in the ratio of its consistency. A Perfect consistency, I repeat, can be nothing but a absolute truth. We may take it for granted, then, that Man cannot long or widely err, if he suffer himself to be guided by his poetical, which I have maintained to be his truthful, in being his symmetrical, instinct. He must have a care, however, lest, in pursuing too heedlessly the superficial symmetry of forms and motions, he leave out of sight the really essential symmetry of the principles which determine and control them.
1.rb - Paracelsus - Part I - Paracelsus Aspires, #Browning - Poems, #Robert Browning, #Poetry
Smiling Humility, praising much, yet waiving
What it professed to praisethough not so well
1.rmr - Self-Portrait, #Rilke - Poems, #Rainer Maria Rilke, #Poetry
and of Humility here and there, not of a servant's,
yet of one who serves obediently, and of a woman.
1.rt - Stray Birds 51 - 60, #Tagore - Poems, #Rabindranath Tagore, #Poetry
when we are great in Humility.
THE sparrow is sorry for the peacock
1.rwe - Celestial Love, #Emerson - Poems, #Ralph Waldo Emerson, #Philosophy
Without a false Humility;
For this is love's nobility,
1.sfa - How Virtue Drives Out Vice, #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
English version by Regis J. Armstrong, OFM CAP & Ignatius C. Brady, OFM Original Language Italian Where there is charity and wisdom there is neither fear nor ignorance. Where there is patience and Humility, there is neither anger nor disturbance. Where there is poverty with joy, there is neither covetousness nor avarice. Where there is inner peace and meditation, there is neither anxiousness nor dissipation. Where there is fear of the Lord to guard the house, there the enemy cannot gain entry. Where there is mercy and discernment, there is neither excess nor hardness of heart. [1495.jpg] -- from Francis and Clare: The Complete Works: The Classics of Western Spirituality, Translated by Regis J. Armstrong, OFM CAP / Translated by Ignatius C. Brady, OFM
1.sfa - Let the whole of mankind tremble, #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
English version by Regis J. Armstrong, OFM CAP & Ignatius C. Brady, OFM Original Language Italian Let the whole of mankind tremble the whole world shake and the heavens exult when Christ, the Son of the living God, is on the altar in the hands of a priest. O admirable heights and sublime lowliness! O sublime Humility! O humble sublimity! That the Lord of the universe, God and the Son of God, so humbles Himself that for our salvation He hides Himself under the little form of bread! Look, brothers, at the Humility of God and pour out your hearts before Him! Humble yourselves, as well, that you may be exalted by Him. Therefore, hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves so that He Who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally. [1495.jpg] -- from Francis and Clare: The Complete Works: The Classics of Western Spirituality, Translated by Regis J. Armstrong, OFM CAP / Translated by Ignatius C. Brady, OFM <
1.sfa - The Praises of God, #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
English version by Regis J. Armstrong, OFM CAP & Ignatius C. Brady, OFM Original Language Italian You are holy, Lord, the only God, You do wonders. You are strong, You are great, You are the most high, You are the almighty King. You, Holy Father, the King of heaven and earth. You are Three and One, Lord God of gods; You are good, all good, the highest good, Lord, God, living and true. You are love, charity. You are wisdom; You are Humility; You are patience; You are beauty; You are meekness; You are security; You are inner peace; You are joy; You are our hope and joy; You are justice; You are moderation, You are all our riches. You are beauty, You are meekness; You are the protector, You are the guardian and defender; You are strength; You are refreshment. You are our hope, You are our faith, You are our charity, You are all our sweetness, You are our eternal life: Great and wonderful Lord, God almighty, Merciful Savior. [1495.jpg] -- from Francis and Clare: The Complete Works: The Classics of Western Spirituality, Translated by Regis J. Armstrong, OFM CAP / Translated by Ignatius C. Brady, OFM <
1.sfa - The Salutation of the Virtues, #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
English version by Regis J. Armstrong, OFM CAP & Ignatius C. Brady, OFM Original Language Italian Hail, Queen Wisdom, may the Lord protect you with your sister, holy pure Simplicity. Lady, holy Poverty, may the Lord protect you with your sister, holy Humility. Lady, holy Charity, may the Lord protect you with your sister, holy Obedience. O most holy Virtues, may the Lord protect all of you, from Whom you come and proceed. There is surely no one in the entire world who can possess any one of you unless he dies first. Whoever possesses one of you and does not offend the others, possesses all. And each one destroys vices and sins. Holy Wisdom destroys Satan and all his subtlety. Pure holy Simplicity destroys all the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of the body. Holy Poverty destroys the desire of riches and avarice and the cares of this world. Holy Humility destroys pride and all the people who are in the world and all the things that belong to the world. Holy Charity destroys every temptation of the devil and of the flesh and every carnal fear. Holy Obedience destroys every wish of the body and of the flesh and binds its mortified body to obedience of the Spirit and to obedience of one's brother and the person who possesses her is subject and submissive to all persons in the world and not to man only but even to all beasts and wild animals so that they may do whatever they want with him inasmuch as it has been given to them from above by the Lord. [1495.jpg] -- from Francis and Clare: The Complete Works: The Classics of Western Spirituality, Translated by Regis J. Armstrong, OFM CAP / Translated by Ignatius C. Brady, OFM <
1.snt - The Light of Your Way, #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
English version by Ivan M. Granger Original Language Greek Holy are you, O Lord, holy, blessed and One. Holy are you, and generous for you have flooded my heart with the light of your way, and you have raised up in me the Tree of Life. You have shown me a new heaven upon the earth. You have shown me a secret Garden, unseen within the seen. Now am I joined soul and spirit present in your Presence -- your Presence that has waited long in me, your Presence, the true Tree of Life, planted in whatever this earth is, planted in whatever it is that men are, planted, and rooted in the heart, your Presence all at once revealing your Paradise alive with every good green thing: grasses and trees and the fruiting bounty, a world of flowers! sweet-scented lilies! Each little flower speaks a truth: Humility and joy, peace, oh peace! kindness, compassion, the turning of the soul, and the flood of tears and the strange ecstasy of those bathed in your light. [2652.jpg] -- from The Longing in Between: Sacred Poetry from Around the World (A Poetry Chaikhana Anthology), Edited by Ivan M. Granger <
1.wby - Coole Park 1929, #Yeats - Poems, #William Butler Yeats, #Poetry
Found pride established in Humility,
A scene well Set and excellent company.
1.wby - The Municipal Gallery Revisited, #Yeats - Poems, #William Butler Yeats, #Poetry
Of all that pride and that Humility?
And I am in despair that time may bring
1.ww - Book Seventh [Residence in London], #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
Her patience, and Humility of mind
Unspoiled by commendation and the excess
1.ww - Book Tenth {Residence in France continued], #Wordsworth - Poems, #unset, #Zen
So, with devout Humility be it said,
So, did a portion of that spirit fall
1.ww - Book Twelfth [Imagination And Taste, How Impaired And Restored ], #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
That should preclude Humility and love?
I felt, observed, and pondered; did not judge,
1.ww - The Excursion- VII- Book Sixth- The Churchyard Among the Mountains, #Wordsworth - Poems, #unset, #Zen
And general Humility in death?
Nor should I much condemn it, if it spring
1.ww - The Prioresss Tale [from Chaucer], #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
Thy virtue, and thy great Humility,
Surpass all science and all utterance;
1.yt - The Supreme Being is the Dakini Queen of the Lake of Awareness!, #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
English version by Keith Dowman The Supreme Being is the Dakini Queen of the Lake of Awareness! I have vanished into fields of lotus-light, the plenum of dynamic space, To be born in the inner sanctum of an immaculate lotus; Do not despair, have faith! When you have withdrawn attachment to this rocky defile, This barbaric Tibet, full of war and strife, Abandon unnecessary activity and rely on solitude. Practice energy control, purify your psychic nerves and seed-essence, And cultivate mahamudra and Dsokchen. The Supreme Being is the Dakini Queen of the Lake of Awareness! Attaining Humility, through Guru Pema Jungne's compassion I followed him, And now I have finally gone into his presence; Do not despair, but pray! When you see your karmic body as vulnerable as a bubble, Realising the truth of impermanence, and that in death you are helpless, Disabuse yourself of fantasies of eternity, Make your life a practice of sadhana, And cultivate the experience that takes you to the place where Ati ends. [1484.jpg] -- from The Shambhala Anthology of Women's Spiritual Poetry, Edited by Aliki Barnstone <
2.00 - BIBLIOGRAPHY, #The Perennial Philosophy, #Aldous Huxley, #Philosophy
BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX, ST. The Steps of Humility (Cambridge, Mass., 1940).
. On the Love of God (New York, 1937).
2.01 - AT THE STAR THEATRE, #The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, #Sri Ramakrishna, #Hinduism
"They are very pious souls and show great respect to holy men. The people of upper India are greatly devoted to sdhus. The sons and nephews of the Jung Bahadur of Nepal once visited the temple garden; before me they showed great respect and Humility. Once a young girl of Nepal came to see me with Captain. She was a great devotee, and unmarried; she knew the whole of the Gitagovinda by heart. Dwarika Babu and the others wanted to hear her music. When she sang the Gitagovinda, Dwarika Babu was profoundly moved and wiped the tears from his eyes with his handkerchief. She was asked why she was not married. She said: 'I am the handmaid of God. Whom else shall I serve?' Her people respect her as a goddess, as the scriptures enjoin.
(To Mahendra Mukherji and the others) "I shall feel very happy to know that you are being benefited by your visits here. (To M.) Why do people come here? I don't know much of reading and writing."
--
MASTER (smiling): "You have Humility. That is good. But there is also another way: 'I chant the name of Hari. How can I be a sinner?' He who constantly repeats: 'I am a sinner! I am a wretch!' verily becomes a sinner. What lack of faith! A man chants the name of God so much, and still he talks of sin!"
Radhika Goswami listened to these words in amazement.
2.02 - The Ishavasyopanishad with a commentary in English, #Isha Upanishad, #unset, #Zen
with Humility, but use the influence it gives him in order to lead
men upwards to the divine. Such a man will quickly rise above
2.04 - ON PRIESTS, #Thus Spoke Zarathustra, #Friedrich Nietzsche, #Philosophy
than their Humility. And whoever attacks them, soils
himself easily. Yet my blood is related to theirs, and I
2.05 - Aspects of Sadhana, #Words Of The Mother II, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
The three types of examination are: those set by the forces of Nature, those set by spiritual and divine forces, and those set by hostile forces. These last are the most deceptive in their appearance and to avoid being caught unawares and unprepared requires a state of constant watchfulness, sincerity and Humility.
The most commonplace circumstances, the events of everyday life, the most apparently insignificant people and things all belong to one or other of these three kinds of examiners. In this vast and complex organisation of tests, those events that are generally considered the most important in life are the easiest examinations to undergo, because they find you ready and on your guard. It is easier to stumble over the little stones in your path, because they attract no attention.
--
Vigilance, sincerity and Humility for the examinations from hostile forces.
And do not imagine that there are on the one hand people who undergo the examinations and on the other people who set them. Depending on the circumstances and the moment we are all both examiners and examinees, and it may even happen that one is at the same time both examiner and examinee. And the benefit one derives from this depends, both in quality and in quantity, on the intensity of ones aspiration and the awakening of ones consciousness.
2.05 - VISIT TO THE SINTHI BRAMO SAMAJ, #The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, #Sri Ramakrishna, #Hinduism
Master's Humility
MASTER: "Oh, this is just idle talk. But do you know my inner feeling? I am the machine and God is the Operator. I am the house and He is the Indweller. I am the engine and He is the Engineer. I am the chariot and He is the Charioteer. I move as He moves me; I do as He makes me do."
2.08 - On Non-Violence, #Evening Talks With Sri Aurobindo, #unset, #Zen
Sri Aurobindo: But that kind of moderate tinge is not good. Humility in a leader like that is not always a great virtue, at any rate Humility of this sort. It is one thing to know that you are the instrument of Fate or of some power, or of God. But you must know that you are there to lead and that people must do what you say.
I am afraid, the difficulty with him is that his vital being drags him into all sorts of activities and he begins to say: "You must do this, you must not do that." Then his mind comes in and says: "You may do what you like. I am nothing, you are free to do what you like." This kind of double movement renders the activity ineffective. If he had only worked with his vital drive, he could have achieved many things.
2.09 - On Sadhana, #Evening Talks With Sri Aurobindo, #unset, #Zen
In the ideal case one is ready to admit one's own defects and be on guard to watch with spiritual Humility. But all these things make the Higher Power's working very difficult in the lower nature. Therefore we insist so much on sincerity in this Yoga. It is the psychic being which has no such pretensions because it knows and can surrender to the Divine. It is therefore that in our Yoga the awakening of the psychic being is so important. That alone gives one the psychic tact which steers clear of all difficulties.
Disciple: Can one allow the Higher Power to take charge of his Sadhana?
2.09 - SEVEN REASONS WHY A SCIENTIST BELIEVES IN GOD, #God Exists, #Swami Sivananda Saraswati, #Hinduism
WE ARE STILL IN THE DAWN of the scientific age, and every increase of light reveals more brightly the handiwork of an intelligent Creator. We have made stupendous discoveries; with a spirit of scientific Humility and of faith grounded in knowledge we are approaching ever nearer to an awareness of God.
For myself, I count seven reasons for my faith:
2.0 - THE ANTICHRIST, #Twilight of the Idols, #Friedrich Nietzsche, #Philosophy
absoluteness:--as if Humility, chastity, poverty, in a word _holiness,_
had not done incalculably more harm to life hitherto, than any sort of
--
a duty, and their Humility is one proof the more of their piety!...
Oh, what a humble, chaste and compassionate kind of falsity! "Virtue
2.11 - The Guru, #Words Of The Mother II, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
In both cases, it is only an absolute sincerity and an unmixed Humility that can be your safeguard.
With my blessings.
2.1.3.1 - Students, #On Education, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
For a happy and effective life, the essentials are sincerity, Humility, perseverance and an insatiable thirst for progress. Above all, one must be convinced of a limitless possibility of progress. Progress is youth; at a hundred years of age one can be young.
14 January 1972
2.13 - On Psychology, #Evening Talks With Sri Aurobindo, #unset, #Zen
Sri Aurobindo: True Humility is when you are ready to admit your own defects for which, again, you need not feel adhama fallen. You feel that you have all the defects that are in universal nature and that you are not personally superior to anyone. You need not keep this feeling when the defects are gone and go on repeating "I am nothing, let me be full of sin," also one should not be swollen-headed about it. Really speaking, it is absence of arrogance Humility is not a good word.
Disciple: Has the sense of humour a place in spiritual perfection?
2.17 - December 1938, #Evening Talks With Sri Aurobindo, #unset, #Zen
Sri Aurobindo: It seems to me the other way about. If we have the right attitude other things come by themselves. Right attitude is necessary, but what is important is the inner state. Spiritual and ethical principles are quite different, for everything depends on whether it is done for the sake of the Spirit or for ethical reasons. One may observe mental control in his dealings but the inner state may be quite different. For instance, he may not show anger, may be humble externally, but internally he may be proud and full of anger. For example A, when he came here, was full of Humility outside. It is the psychic control that is required and when that is there right attitude follows in ones external behaviour. Conduct must flow from within outwards and the more one opens to the psychic influence the more it gains over the outer nature. Mental control may or may not lead to the spiritual. In people of a certain type it may be the first step towards psychic control.
Disciple: How to get psychic control?
2.18 - January 1939, #Evening Talks With Sri Aurobindo, #unset, #Zen
Sri Aurobindo: There are two methods of effacement of the ego: By realisation of the Spirit above and of its nature of purity, knowledge etc. And secondly, by Humility in the heart.
Disciple: What is the difference?
--
Generally, when one realises the Spirit, it is the mental sense of the ego that goes, not the entire ego-sense. The dynamic nature retains the ego, especially the vital ego. So, the best thing would be to combine the two for the psychic attitude of Humility helps in getting rid of the vital ego.
The complete dissolution of the ego is not an easy thing. Specially important is the removal of mental and vital ego; the ego of the physical and of the subconscient can be dealt with at leisure, that is to say, they are not so absorbing.
As I said, Humility helps in the removal of the vital ego, but one must remember that it is not outward Humility. There are many people who profess and show the utmost outward Humility, but in their hearts think "I am the man!"
Disciple: Desai, when he came here for a short stay, found that you lacked the virtue of Humility or modesty.
Sri Aurobindo: How does he know? Perhaps Idid not profess like some other people that Iwas nothing. Icould not do that because I know Iam not nothing.
--
Sri Aurobindo: Psychic Humility takes away the egoism but not the ego; removing of the ego of the natural individuality is not the work of the psychic. The psychic depends upon and maintains the natural individuality. The psychic is there so that the natural individuality would turn to and progress towards the Divine.
Disciple: How is the ego removed?
2.19 - THE MASTER AND DR. SARKAR, #The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, #Sri Ramakrishna, #Hinduism
Dr. Sarkar folded his hands in Humility.
MAHIMIA: "But here in the Master's presence all are equal"
2.20 - THE MASTERS TRAINING OF HIS DISCIPLES, #The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, #Sri Ramakrishna, #Hinduism
Master's Humility & M. and Dr. Sarkar
M: "He visits the Master. Even if he has a little pride, it will not last long. If one only sits in the Master's presence awhile, one's pride crumbles to pieces. It is because the Master himself is totally free from egotism. Pride cannot exist in the presence of Humility. A celebrated man like Pundit Iswar Chandra Vidysgar showed great modesty and Humility in the Master's presence. The Paramahamsa visited his house; it was nine o'clock in the evening when the Master took his leave. Vidysgar came all the way from the library to the gate of his compound to see him off. He himself carried the light to show the way. As the Master's carriage started off, Vidysagar stood there with folded hands."
DOCTOR: "Well, what does Vidysgar think of him?"
2.22 - THE STILLEST HOUR, #Thus Spoke Zarathustra, #Friedrich Nietzsche, #Philosophy
'Humility not borne? I dwell
at the foot of my height. How high are my peaks? No
2.2.3 - Depression and Despondency, #Letters On Yoga IV, #Sri Aurobindo, #Integral Yoga
I am glad the cloud is lifting and hope to find it lifted altogether soon. It is the usual experience that if the Humility and resignation are firmly founded in the heart, other things like trust come naturally afterwards. If once the psychic light and happiness which is born of these things is founded, it is not easy for other forces to cloud that state and not possible for them to destroy it. That is the common experience.
***
2.25 - AFTER THE PASSING AWAY, #The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, #Sri Ramakrishna, #Hinduism
"Well, X— is so modest and humble! He is totally self-effacing. Can you tell me how I can develop Humility?"
M: "Speaking about your ego, the Master said, 'Whose ego is it?'"
2.25 - List of Topics in Each Talk, #Evening Talks With Sri Aurobindo, #unset, #Zen
| 10-05-24 | Gandhi and Humility; Romain Rolland, the Indian spirit, Gandhi, Tagore, Buddhism |
| 17-05-24 | Gandhi and boycott of British goods |
--
| 26-09-26 | Higher Power and mind; sincerity and Humility |
| 02-10-26 | Forms of government; Divine work; realisation of God and change of nature; Jiva and central being; faith |
--
| 03-10-26 | Humility; sense of humour in spirituality |
| Chapter 14 | On Movements |
--
| 06-01-39 | Sadhana and ego; Humility, Sri Aurobindo at Calcutta; communism, dictatorship |
| 07-01-39 | Removing the ego; psychic individuality; changing the nature; "brilliant period" of the Ashram; newcomers and demands of Yoga |
2.3.02 - Opening, Sincerity and the Mother's Grace, #The Mother With Letters On The Mother, #Sri Aurobindo, #Integral Yoga
The direct opening of the psychic centre is easy only when the ego-centricity is greatly diminished and also if there is a strong bhakti for the Mother. A spiritual Humility and sense of submis16 July 1936 sion and dependence is necessary.
164
2.3.1 - Ego and Its Forms, #Letters On Yoga IV, #Sri Aurobindo, #Integral Yoga
But that [pride of the ego] is the case with all human beings. All the action is shot through with ego, acts, feelings, thoughts, everything, big or small, good or bad. Even Humility and what is called altruism is with most people only a form of ego. It does not depend on having something to be proud of.
***
--
Pride is only one form of egothere are ten thousand others. Every action of man is full of ego the good ones as well as the bad, his Humility as much as his pride, his virtues as much as his vices.
To get the ego out of the human nature is not so simple as that. If one is free from ego, does nothing with reference to himself or for his own sake but only for the Divine and all his thoughts and feelings are for the Divine, then he is Jivanmukta and a Siddha Yogi.
3.01 - Fear of God, #The Interior Castle or The Mansions, #Saint Teresa of Avila, #Christianity
1.: Souls in the Third Mansions. 2. Insecurity of this life. 3. Our danger of falling from grace. 4. The Saint bewails her past life. 5. Our Lady's patronage. 6. Fear necessary even for religious. 7. St. Teresa's contrition. 8. Characteristics of those in the Third Mansions. 9. The rich young man in the Gospel. 10. Reason of aridities in prayer. 11. Humility. 12. Tepidity. 13. We must give all to God. 14. Our debt. 15. Consolations and aridities.
1.: As for those who, by the mercy of God, have vanquished in these combats and persevered until they reached the third mansions, what can we say to them but 'Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord'?1' It is no small favour from God that I should be able to translate this verse into Spanish so as to explain its meaning, considering how dense I usually am in such matters. We may well call these souls blessed, for, as far as we can tell, unless they turn back in their course they are on the safe road to salvation. Now, my sisters, you see how important it is for them to conquer in their former struggles, for I am convinced that our Lord will henceforth never cease to keep them in security of conscience, which is no small boon.
--
11.: Do not ask for what you do not deserve, nor should we ever think, however much we may have done for God, that we merit the reward of the saints, for we have offended Him. Oh, Humility, Humility! I know not why, but I am always tempted to think that persons who complain so much of aridities must be a little wanting in this virtue. However, I am not speaking of severe interior sufferings, which are far worse than a want of devotion.
12.: Let us try ourselves, my sisters, or let our Lord try us; He knows well how to do so (although we often pretend to misunderstand Him). We will now speak of these well-ordered souls. Let us consider what they do for God and we shall see at once what little right we have to murmur against His Majesty. If we turn our backs on Him and go away sorrowfully like the youth in the Gospel8 when He tells us what to do to be perfect, what can God do? for He must proportion the reward to our love for Him. This love, my daughters, must not be the fabric of our imagination; we must prove it by our works. Yet do not suppose that our Lord has need of any works of ours; He only expels us to manifest our goodwill.9
--
15.: Think well my daughters, over some of the points I have treated, although confusedly, for I do not know how to explain them better. Our Lord will make you understand them, that you may reap Humility from your dryness, instead of the disquietude the devil strives to cause by it. I believe that where true Humility exists, although God should never bestow consolations, yet He gives a peace and resignation which make the soul happier than are others with sensible devotion. These consolations, as you have read, are often given by the Divine Majesty to the weakest souls who, I suppose would not exchange them for the fortitude of Christians serving God in aridities: we love consolations better than the cross! Do Thou, O Lord, Who knowest all truth, so prove us that we may know ourselves.
3.02 - Aridity in Prayer, #The Interior Castle or The Mansions, #Saint Teresa of Avila, #Christianity
1.: Imperfections of dwellers in the first three mansions. 2. Our trials show us our weakness. 3. Humility learnt by our faults. 4. Love of money. 5. Liberty of spirit. 6. On bearing contempt. 7. Detachment proved by trials. 8. Virtue and Humility are the essentials. 9. Perfection requires detachment. 10. We should try to make rapid progress. 11. Leave our cares in God's hands. 12. Humility more necessary than corporal penances. 13. Consolations rarely received until the fourth mansions. 14. Advantages of hearing of them. 15. Perfection consists in love, not in reward. 16. St. Teresa's joy at seeing other souls favoured. 17. These graces should be striven for. 18. Obedience and direction, 19. Misguided zeal for others.
1.: I HAVE known some, in fact, I may say numerous souls, who have reached this state, and for many years lived, apparently, a regular and well-ordered life, both of body and mind. It would seem that they must have gained the mastery over this world, or at least be extremely detached from it, yet if His Majesty sends very moderate trials they become so disturbed and disheartened as not only to astonish but to make me anxious about them. Advice is useless; having practised virtue for so long they think themselves capable of teaching it, and believe that they have abundant reason to feel miserable.
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3.: Souls soon learn in this way; they perceive their faults very clearly, and sometimes the discovery of how quickly they are overcome by but slight earthly trials is more painful than the subtraction of God's sensible favours. I consider that God thus shows them great mercy, for though their behaviour may be faulty, yet they gain greatly in Humility. Not so with the people of whom I first spoke; they believe their conduct is saintly, and wish others to agree with them. I will give you some examples which will help us to understand and to try ourselves, without waiting for God to try us, since it would be far better to have prepared and examined ourselves beforehand.
4.: A rich man, without son or heir, loses part of his property,14' but still has more than enough to keep himself and his household. If this misfortune grieves and disquiets him as though he were left to beg his bread, how can our Lord ask him to give up all things for His sake? This man will tell you he regrets losing his money because he wished to bestow it on the poor.
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8.: Believe me, the question is not whether we wear the religious habit or not, but whether we practise the virtues and submit our will in all things to the will of God. The object of our life must be to do what He requires of us: let us not ask that our will may be done, but His. If we have not yet attained to this, let us be humble, as I said above. Humility is the ointment for our wounds; if we have it, although perhaps He may defer His coming for a time, God, Who is our Physician, will come and heal us. 9. The penances performed by the persons I spoke of are as well regulated as their life, which they value very highly because they wish to serve our Lord with it-in which there is nothing to blame-so they are very discreet in their mortifications lest they should injure their health. Never fear they will kill themselves: they are far too sensible! Their love is not strong enough to overcome their reason; I wish it were-that they might not be content to creep on their way to God: a pace that will never bring them to their journey's end!
10.: We seem to ourselves to be making progress, yet we become weary, for, believe me, we are walking through a mist; it will be fortunate if we do not lose ourselves. Do you think, my daughters, if we could travel from one country to another in eight days, that it would be well to spend a year on the journey, through wind, snow, and inundations and over bad roads?16' Would it not be better to get it over at once, for it is full of dangers and serpents? Oh, how many striking instances could I give you of this! God grant that I have passed beyond this state myself: often I think that I have not.
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12.: I know, too, that our bodies are not the chief factors in the work we have before us; they are accessory: extreme Humility is the principal point. It is the want of this, I believe, that stops people's progress. It may seem that we have made but little way: we should believe that is the case, and that our sisters are advancing much more rapidly than we are. Not only should we wish others to consider us the worst of all; we should endeavour to make them think so. If we act in this manner, our soul will do well; otherwise we shall make no progress and shall always remain the prey to a thousand troubles and miseries. The way will be difficult and wearisome without self-renunciation, weighed down as we are by the burden and frailties of human nature, which are no longer felt in the more interior mansions.
13.: In these third mansions the Lord never fails to repay our services, both as a just and even as a merciful God, Who always bestows on us far more than we deserve, giving us greater happiness than could be obtained from any earthly pleasures and amusements. I think He grants few consolations here, except, perhaps, occasionally to entice us to prepare ourselves to enter the last mansions by showing us their contents. There may appear to you to be no difference except in name between sensible devotion, and consolations and you may ask why I distinguish them. I think there is a very great difference, but I may be mistaken.
3.02 - The Great Secret, #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
Let us unite our wills in a great aspiration; let us pray for an intervention of the Grace. A miracle can always happen. Faith has a sovereign power. And if indeed we are to take part in the great work to be done, then an intervention will come and prolong our lives. Let us pray with the Humility of the wise and the candid faith of a child; let us invoke with sincerity this new Consciousness, this new Force, Truth and Beauty which must manifest, so that the earth may be transformed and the supramental life realised in the material world.
They all concentrate in silence. The Unknown Man continues:
3.03 - The Naked Truth, #The Practice of Psycho therapy, #Carl Jung, #Psychology
Recognition of the shadow is reason enough for Humility, for genuine fear
of the abysmal depths in man. This caution is most expedient, since the
3.09 - The Return of the Soul, #The Practice of Psycho therapy, #Carl Jung, #Psychology
love, faith, hope, and Humility. It is all very fine to make our neighbour
happy by applying them to him, but the demon of self-admiration so easily
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faith, and even my Humility, and that I myself am my own devil, the
antagonist who always wants the opposite in everything? Can we ever
3.1.20 - God, #Collected Poems, #Sri Aurobindo, #Integral Yoga
Therefore we know by that Humility
That thou art God.
3.16.1 - Of the Oath, #Liber ABA, #Aleister Crowley, #Philosophy
exaltation harmonised with an infinite Humility. He admits himself
to be a weak human being humbly aspiring to something higher; a
3.2.08 - Bhakti Yoga and Vaishnavism, #Letters On Yoga II, #Sri Aurobindo, #Integral Yoga
The identification of the guru with the Divine is a common rule, not peculiar to the Vaishnava bhakti. Ordinarily, so far as the outer mind is concerned, it is a firm belief; the outer mind can believe, can by its faith have some feeling of it, can with the help of the heart worship, adore, serve with Humility and fidelity; ordinarily, this is enough and it prepares besides for something deeper. But to realise the identity is another matter, [incomplete]
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33.18 - I Bow to the Mother, #Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol 07, #Nolini Kanta Gupta, #Integral Yoga
Now to come back to a personal experience. The first thing I heard and came to know about the Mother was that she was a great spiritual person. I did not know then that she might have other gifts; these were revealed to me gradually. First I came to know that she was a very fine painter; and afterwards that she was an equally gifted musician. But there were other surprises in store. For instance, she had an intellectual side no less richly endowed, that is to say, she had read and studied enormously, had been engaged in intellectual pursuits even as the learned do. I was still more surprised to find that while in France she had already studied and translated a good number of Indian texts, like the Gita, the Upanishads, the Yoga-sutras, the Bhakti-sutras of Narada. I mention all this merely to tell you that the Mother's capacity of making her mind a complete blank was as extraordinary as her enormous mental acquisitions. This was something unique. In the early days, when she had just taken charge of our spiritual life, she told me one day in private, perhaps seeing that I might have a pride in being an intellectual, "At one time I used to take an interest in philosophy and other intellectual pursuits. All that is now gone below the surface, but I can bring it up again at will." So, I need not have any fears on that score! It was as if the Mother was trying to apologise for her deficiencies in scholarship. This was how she taught me the meaning of Humility, what we call Divine Humility.
As I was saying, this capacity for an entire rejection of the past has been one of the powers of her spiritual consciousness and realisation. It is not an easy thing for a human being to wash himself clean of all his past acquisitions, be it intellectual knowledge or the habits of the vital, not to speak of the body's needs, and step forth in his nude purity. And yet this is the first and most important step in the spiritual discipline. The Mother has given us a living example of this. That is why she decided to shed all her past, forget all about it and begin anew the a-b-c of her training and initiation with Sri Aurobindo. And it was in fact at the hands of Sri Aurobindo that she received as a token and outward symbol her first lessons in Bengali and Sanskrit, beginning with the alphabet.
37.02 - The Story of Jabala-Satyakama, #Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol 08, #unset, #Zen
The next day, Satyakama resumed his march with the kine. As evening came, he gathered his herd together and penned the kine. Then he collected the fuel and lighted the sacrificial fire, and sat facing the east with Agni in front. Now Agni called to him, "Satyakama!" And Satyakama gave reply with his usual Humility, "Yes, my Lord?" Agni continued, "Let me now, speak to you about the second aspect of Brahman. This too has four limbs; these are earth, mid-air, the heavens and the ocean. This second aspect of Brahman that is constituted by these four is the Infinity of Brahman. He who gains it lives in Infinity even on this earth and wins all the worlds of Infinity."
Again the homeward march began, and again the Bull came and informed Satyakama thus, "Now it will be the Swan who will come and tell you about the Brahman." When it was eventide, Satyakama gathered his herd again, penned them in, and lighted his sacrificial fire. Again he sat in front of the fire facing the east. Then the Swan appeared as promised by the Bull and called in a human voice, "Satyakama!" And Satyakama made answer, "Yes, my Lord?" The Swan continued, "I shall speak to you about another aspect of Brahman." "Tell me, my Lord." "This the third aspect of Brahman consists of Fire, the Sun, the Moon and Lightning. Through this quartet of the third aspect Brahman appears as the Effulgent One. He who realises this aspect of Brahman becomes himself effulgent and wins all the worlds of effulgence even while on this earth."
Satyakama started on his march again, and once again the Bull came and informed him that this time a Flamingo would come and tell him about the fourth aspect of Brahman. As' evening came, Satyakama gathered his herd together and penned them as usual. He lighted the sacrificial fire and sat in front facing the east, and waited. The Bird flew in and called, "Satyakama!" Satyakama replied, "Yes, my Lord?" The Bird went on, "I shall give you the knowledge of the fourth aspect of the fourfold Brahman." Satyakama replied in all Humility, "Tell me, my Lord." The Bird said, "The four limbs of this aspect are the Life-force, the Eyes, the Ears and Mind. These four combined make Brahman the All-Form. He who knows this becomes the All-Form and wins here itself the All-Form."
By now Satyakama arrived at his master's home, accompanied by his herd of a thousand well-fed kine in place of the original four hundred weaklings. As he came to his master, Gautama gave him a look and came out with these words, "Satyakama, I see your face shining with the light of Brahman. Who has given you the knowledge of the Brahman?" Satyakama told him about the four strange encounters. But he added, "My master, you are my sale teacher, and my knowledge will remain incomplete until I receive the knowledge directly from you." Gautama then repeated to him the same things that he had heard about the four aspects of Brahman, thus confirming what Satyakama had already experienced and realised; it was now sanctified with Gautama's blessings.
40.01 - November 24, 1926, #Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol 08, #unset, #Zen
A strange thing used to happen every day at these meditations. Purushottam was one of our number in those days. He used to sit directly in front of the Mother, a little apart from the rest of us. As soon as the meditation began, he would begin to sway his body and even move about with his eyes closed while still meditating. He would come and get hold of some of us, give them a thorough kneading and would not even hesitate to tear at the hair on their head or face. In those days, almost all of us sported a beard and a moustache and wore our hair long. He used to say that this was his allotted work, this work of purification and helping in the purification. Not only did anyone ever raise an objection to this kind of molestation, it was accepted by all with perfect equanimity, with joy almost; it was considered to be a necessity, a sign of the Mother's Grace. But these attentions were reserved only for two or three people. During this process, the Mother of course remained silent and engrossed in meditation. All was done, no doubt, under her control and guidance, but from an inner poise. One day, Purushottam proclaimed to the Mother in a loud voice, "Mother, I do not mean it as a boast, I mention this to you in utter Humility: Mother, just as you are the highest Force of the Supreme, even so I am the lowest force of this earth-nature. You have given me the privilege of being a collaborator in your Work." He used to say that Sesha-naga, the primal energy that sustains the material world, had manifested in him, that he was Sesha-naga itself. He was the spirit of Inconscience, of the Force in the nether world; his task was to work in that darkness, sweep it clean and make room for the Light, the Higher Forces of the Mother. This manner of working continued for some time; then it came to a halt, and we had only meditations.
The Mother's endeavour at that time was for a new creation, the creation here of a new inner world of the Divine Consciousness. She had brought down the Higher Forces, the Gods, into the earth atmosphere, into our inner being and consciousness. A central feature of that endeavour was that she had placed each of us in touch with his inner godhead. Every individual has what may be described as his line of spiritual descent and also ascent; for into each individual consciousness has come down from the supreme Maha Shakti an individual divine being, a particular godhead following a particular line of manifestation of divine power, vibhuti. To bear inwardly the touch of this divinity and found it securely within oneself, to concentrate on it and become one with it, to go on manifesting it in one's outer life, this was the aim of the sadhana at the time. This was a period of extreme concentration and one-pointedness, a "tortoise phase" of the sadhana one might call it. Like the tortoise one had to gather oneself in, limbs and all, and hide as in a shell by cutting oneself off from all outward touches. This was a temporary necessity in order to maintain the consciousness of the individual and the collectivity always at a high level and keep it unsullied and unchanged. Our give and take with the outside world was very little indeed and it was carried on under the strictest vigilance. All around us there had been fixed a cordon, an iron curtain almost. Even among ourselves, personal contacts like meeting one another or the paying of visits had been reduced to the barest minimum. To use the poetic language of Tagore, we seemed to be blossoming forth
4.01 - Sweetness in Prayer, #The Interior Castle or The Mansions, #Saint Teresa of Avila, #Christianity
1.: Graces received in this mansion. 2. Mystic favours. 3. Temptations bring Humility and merit. 4. Sensible devotion and natural joys. 5. Sweetness in devotion. 6. St. Teresa's experience of it. 7. Love of God, and how to foster it. 8. Distractions. 9. They do not destroy divine union. 10. St. Teresa's physical distractions. 11. How to treat distractions. 12. They should be disregarded. 13. Self-knowledge necessary.
1.: Now that I commence writing about the fourth mansions, it is requisite, as I said,1' to commend myself to the Holy Ghost and to beg Him henceforth to speak for me, that I may be enabled to treat these matters intelligibly. Henceforth they begin to be supernatural and it will be most difficult to speak clearly about them,2' unless His Majesty undertakes it for me, as He did when I explained the subject (as far as I understood it) somewhat about fourteen years ago.3' I believe I now possess more light about the favours God grants some souls, but that is different from being able to elucidate them.4' May His Majesty enable me to do so if it would be useful, but not otherwise.
4.02 - Difficulties, #Words Of The Mother II, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
If we know how to accept these spiritual blows with due Humility, we are sure to cover a great distance at a single bound.
22 February 1965
4.02 - Divine Consolations., #The Interior Castle or The Mansions, #Saint Teresa of Avila, #Christianity
8.: Practise what I advised in the preceding mansions, then- Humility, Humility! for God lets Himself be vanquished by this and grants us all we ask.24 The first proof25' that you possess Humility is that you neither think you now deserve these graces and consolations from God, nor that you ever will as long as you live. You ask me: 'How shall we receive them, if we do not try to gain them?' I answer, that there is no surer way to obtain them than the one I have told you, therefore make no efforts to acquire them, for the following reasons. The first is, that the chief means of obtaining them is to love God without self-interest. The second, that it is a slight lack of Humility to think that our wretched services can win so great a reward. The third, that the real preparation for them is to desire to suffer and imitate our Lord, rather than to receive consolations, for indeed we have all offended Him. The fourth reason is, that His Majesty has not promised to give us these favours in the same way as He has bound Himself to bestow eternal glory on us if we keep His commandments. 'The faculties are not lost, neither are they asleep; the will alone is occupied in such a way that without knowing how it has become a captive it gives a simple consent to become the prisoner of God.' 'The other two faculties help the will that it may render itself capable of the fruition of so great a good; nevertheless, it occasionally happens even when the will is in union that they hinder it very much.' We can be saved without these special graces; He sees better than we do what is best for us and which of us love Him sincerely. I know for a certain truth, being acquainted with some who walk by the way of love (and therefore only seek to serve Jesus Christ crucified), that not only they neither ask for nor desire consolation, but they even beg Him not to give it them during this life: this is a fact. Fifthly, we should but labour in vain: this water does not flow through aqueducts, like that we first spoke of, and if the spring does not afford it, in vain shall we toil to obtain it. I mean, that though we may meditate and try our hardest, and though we shed tears to gain it, we cannot make this water flow. God alone gives it to whom He chooses, and often when the soul is least thinking of it. We are His, sisters, let Him do what He will with us, and lead us where He will. If we are really humble and annihilate ourselves, not only in our imagination (which often deceives us), but if we truly detach ourselves from all things, our Lord will not only grant us these favours but many others that we do not know even how to desire. May He be for ever praised and blessed! Amen.
4.03 - Prayer of Quiet, #The Interior Castle or The Mansions, #Saint Teresa of Avila, #Christianity
4.: I think I read somewhere30 that the soul is then like a tortoise or sea-urchin, which retreats into itself. Those who said this no doubt understood what they were talking about; but these creatures can withdraw into themselves at will, while here it is not in our power to retire into ourselves, unless God gives us the grace. In my opinion, His Majesty only bestows this favour on those who have renounced the world, in desire at least, if their state of life does not permit their doing so in fact. He thus specially calls them to devote themselves to spiritual things; if they allow Him power to at freely He will bestow still greater graces on those whom He thus begins calling to a higher life. Those who enjoy this recollection should thank God fervently: it is of the highest importance for them to realize the value of this favour, gratitude for which would prepare them to receive still more signal graces. Some books advise that as a preparation for hearing what our Lord may say to us we should keep our minds at rest, waiting to see what He will work in our souls.31' But unless His Majesty has begun to suspend our faculties, I cannot understand how we are to stop thinking, without doing ourselves more harm than good. This point has been much debated by those learned in spiritual matters; I confess my want of Humility in having been unable to yield to their opinion.32
5.: Some one told me of a certain book written on the subject by the saintly Friar Peter of Alcantara (as I think I may justly call him); I should have submitted to his decision, knowing that he was competent to judge, but on reading it I found he agreed with me that the mind must act until called to recollection by love, although he stated it in other words.33'Possibly I may be mistaken, but I rely on these reasons. Firstly, he who reasons less and tries 30 St. Teresa read this in the Tercer Abecedario of Francisco de Osuna (tr. vi, ch, iv): 'This exercise concentrates the senses of man in the interior of the heart where dwells 'the daughter of the king'; that is, the Catholic soul; thus recollected, man may well be compared to the tortoise or sea-urchin which rolls itself up and withdraws within itself, disregarding everything outside.' Eighth Counsel. Let the last and chiefest counsel be that in this holy exercise we should endeavour to unite Meditation with Contemplation making of the one a ladder for attaining to the other. For this we must know that (p. 118) the very office of Meditation is to consider Divine things with studiousness and attention passing from one to another, to move our hearts to some affection and deep feeling for them, which is as though one should strike a flint to draw from it the spark. For Contemplation is to have drawn forth this spark: I mean to have now found this affection and feeling which were sought for, and to be in peace and silence enjoying them; not with many discursive and intellectual speculations but with simple gaze upon the truth. Wherefore, says a holy teacher, Meditation goes its way and brings forth fruit, with labour, but Contemplation bears fruit without labour. The one seeketh, the other findeth; the one consumeth the food, the other enjoys it; the one discourseth, and maketh reflections, the other is contented with a simple gaze upon the things, for it hath in possession their love and joy. Lastly, the one is as the means, the other as the end; the one as the road and journeying along it, the other as the end of the road and of the journeying. From this is to be inferred a very common thing, which all masters of the spiritual life teach, although it is little (p. 119) understood of those who learn it; which is this, that, as the means cease when the end has been attained, as the voyaging is over when the port has been touched, so when, through the working out of our Meditation, we have come to the repose and sweet savour of Contemplation, we ought then to cease from that pious and laborious searching; and being satisfied with the simple gaze upon, and thought of, God-as though we had Him there present before us-we should rest in the enjoyment of that affection then given, whether it be of love, or of admiration, or joy, or other like sentiment. The reason why this counsel is given is this, that as the aim of this devotion is love and the affections of the will rather than the speculations of the understanding, when the will has been caught and taken by this affection, we should put away all those discursive and intellectual speculations, so far as we can, in order that our soul with all its forces may be fastened upon this affection without being diverted by the action of other influences. A learned teacher, therefore, counsels us that as soon as anyone feels himself fired by the love of God, he should first put aside (p. 120.) all these considerations and thoughts-however exalted they may seem-not because they are really not good in themselves, but because they are then hindrances to what is better. and more important. For this is nothing else than that, having come to the end and purpose of our work, we should stay therein, and leave Meditation for the love of Contemplation. This may especially be done at the end of any exercise, that is, after the petition for the Divine love of which we have spoken, for one reason, because then it is supposed that the labour of the exercise we have just gone through has produced some divine devotion and feeling, since, saith the wise man, 'Better is the end of prayer than the beginning': and for another reason, that, after the work of Prayer and Meditation, it is well that one should give his mind a little rest, and allow it to repose in the arms of Contemplation. At this point, then, we should put away all other thoughts that may present themselves, and, quieting the mind and stilling the memory, fix all upon our Lord; and remembering that we are then in His presence, no longer dwell upon the details of divine things. Ibidem p. 121. And not only at the end of the exercise but in the midst of it, and at whatever part of it, this spiritual swoon should come upon us, when the intellect is laid to sleep, we should make this pause, and enjoy the blessing bestowed; and then, when we have finished the digestion of it, turn to the matter we have in hand, as the gardener does, when he waters his garden-bed; who, after giving it (p. 122) a sufficiency of water, holds back the stream, and lets it soak and spread itself through the depths of the earth; and then when this hath somewhat dried up, he turns down upon it again the flow of water that it may receive still more, and be well irrigated.' to do least, does most in spiritual matters. We should make our petitions like beggars before a powerful and rich Emperor; then, with downcast eyes, humbly wait. When He secretly shows us He hears our prayers, it is well to be silent, as He has drawn us into His presence; there would then be no harm in trying to keep our minds at rest (that is to say, if we can). If, however, the King makes no sign of listening or of seeing us, there is no need to stand inert, like a dolt, which the soul would resemble if it continued inactive. In this case its dryness would greatly increase, and the imagination would be made more restless than before by its very effort to think of nothing. Our Lord wishes us at such a time to offer Him our petitions and to place ourselves in His presence; He knows what is best for us.
4.03 - The Meaning of Human Endeavor, #Hymn of the Universe, #Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, #Christianity
chastity, Humility, gentleness were the only direc-
tions in which our being could make progress; we
4.1.4 - Resistances, Sufferings and Falls, #Letters On Yoga IV, #Sri Aurobindo, #Integral Yoga
I have never said that Yoga or that this Yoga is a safe and easy path. What I say is that anyone who has the will to go through can go through. For the rest, if you aim high, there is always the danger of a steep fall if you misconduct your aeroplane. But the danger is for those who allow themselves to entertain a double being, aiming high but also indulging their lower outlook and hankerings. What else can you expect when people do that? You must become single-minded, then the difficulties of the mind and vital will be overcome. Otherwise those who oscillate between their heights and their abysses, will always be in danger till they have become single-minded. That applies to the advanced as well as to the beginner. These are facts of nature I cant pretend for anybodys comfort that they are otherwise. But there is the fact also that nobody need keep himself in this danger. One-mindedness (ekanih), surrender to the Divine, faith, true love for the Divine, complete sincerity in the will, spiritual Humility (real, not formal)there are so many things that can be a safeguard against any chance of eventual downfall. Slips, stumbles, difficulties, upsettings everyone has; one cant be insured against these things, but if one has the safeguards, they are transitory, help the nature to learn and are followed by a better progress.
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4.2.2.05 - Opening and Coming in Front, #Letters On Yoga III, #Sri Aurobindo, #Integral Yoga
The direct opening of the psychic centre is easy only when the ego-centricity is greatly diminished and also if there is a strong bhakti for the Mother. A spiritual Humility and sense of submission and dependence is necessary.
4.2.3 - Vigilance, Resolution, Will and the Divine Help, #Letters On Yoga IV, #Sri Aurobindo, #Integral Yoga
There is no reason for despondency; when one has progressed as far as you did, that is, so far as to feel and maintain the calm and have so much of the psychic discrimination and the psychic feeling, one has no right to despair of ones spiritual future. You could not yet carry out the discrimination into an entire psychic change, because a large part of the outer physical consciousness still took some pleasure in old movements and therefore their roots remained alive in the subconscient. When you were off your guard the whole thing rose up and there was a temporary and violent lapse. But this does not mean that the nature is not changeable. Only the calm inner conscious poise, the psychic discrimination and above all a will to change, stronger and steadier than before, must be so established that no uprising or invasion will be able to cloud even partly the discrimination or suspend the will. You saw the truth but this part of the old nature which rose up did not want to acknowledgeit wanted its play and imposed that on you. This time you must insist on a complete truthfulness in the whole being which will refuse to accept any denial of what the psychic discrimination sees or any affirmation or consent anywhere to what it disapproves, spiritual Humility and the removal of self-righteousness, self-justification and the wish to impose yourself, the tendency to judge others etc. All these defects you know are in you; to cast them out may take time, but if the will to be true to the inner self in all ways is strong and persistent and vigilant and always calls in the Mothers force, it can be done sooner than now seems possible.
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6.08 - Intellectual Visions, #The Interior Castle or The Mansions, #Saint Teresa of Avila, #Christianity
1. Our Lords presence accompanying the soul. 2. St. Teresas experience of this. 3. Confidence and graces resulting from this vision. 4. Its effects . 5. It Produces Humility. 6. And prepares the soul for other graces. 7. Consciousness of the presence of the saints. 8. Obligations resulting from this grace. 9. Signs that this favour is genuine. 10. A confessor should be consulted. 11. Our Lord will enlighten our advisers. 12. Cautions about this vision.
1. To prove to you more clearly, sisters, the truth of what I have been saying and to show that the more the soul advances, the closer does this good Jesus bear it company, it would be well for me to tell you how, when He so chooses, it cannot withdraw from His presence.
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5. However, I know that she often felt great alarm and was at times overcome with confusion, being unable to account for so high a favour having been granted her. She and I were so very intimate141 that I knew all that passed in her soul, hence my account is thoroughly true and reliable. This favour brings with it an overwhelming sense of selfabasement and Humility; the reverse would be the case, did it come from Satan.142 It is evidently divine; no human effort could produce such feelings nor could any one suppose that such profit came from herself, but must needs recognize it as a gift from the hand of God.
6. Although I believe some of the former favours are more sublime, yet this brings with it a special knowledge of God; a most tender love for Him results from being constantly in His company, while the desires of devoting ones whole being to His service are more fervent than any hitherto described. The conscience is greatly purified by the knowledge of His perpetual and near presence, for although we know that God sees all we do, yet nature inclines us to grow careless and forgetful of it. This is impossible here since our Lord makes the soul conscious that He is close at hand, thus preparing it to receive the other graces mentioned by constantly making acts of love to Him Whom it sees or feels at its side. In short, the benefits caused by this grace prove how great and how valuable it is. The soul thanks our Lord for bestowing it on one unworthy of it, but who would refuse to exchange it for any earthly riches or delight.
6.09 - Imaginary Visions, #The Interior Castle or The Mansions, #Saint Teresa of Avila, #Christianity
9. As confessors cannot see these effects, which perhaps the person to whom God has shown the vision is unable to explain, they are afraid of deception, as indeed they have good reason to be. Therefore caution is necessary and time should be allowed to see what effects follow. Day by day, the progress of the soul in Humility and in the virtues should be watched: if the devil is concerned in the matter, he will soon show signs of himself and will be detected in a thousand lies. If the confessor is experienced and has received such favours himself, he will not take long in discovering the truth. In fact, he will know immediately, on being told of the vision, whether it is divine or comes from the imagination or the demon: more especially if he has received the gift of discerning spirits then, if he is learned, he will understand the matter at once even though he has not personally experienced the like.
10. The great point is, sisters, that you should be perfectly candid and straightforward with your confessor: I do not mean in declaring your sins that is evident enough but in giving him an account of your prayer.159 Unless you do this, I cannot assure you of your safety nor that you are led by God. Our Lord desires that we should be as truthful and open with those who stand in His place as we should with Himself; that we should wish them to know not only our thoughts but especially all relating to our actions, however insignificant.
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13. Many other advantages result; but as I have written elsewhere163 at length about the effect these visions produce, and must do so again later on, I will say no more now lest I weary us both. But I most earnestly advise you, when you know or hear of Gods bestowing these graces on others, never to pray nor desire to be led by this way yourself though it may appear to you to be very good; indeed, it ought to be highly esteemed and reverenced, yet no one should seek to go by it for several reasons. Firstly, as it is a want of Humility to desire what you have never deserved, I do not think any one who longs for these graces can be really humble: a common labourer never dreams of wishing to be made a king the thing seems impossible and he is unfit for it; a lowly mind has the same feeling about these divine favours. I do not believe God will ever bestow these gifts on such a person, as before doing so He always gives thorough self-knowledge. How can that soul, while filled with such lofty aspirations, realize the truth that He has shown it great mercy in not casting it into hell?
14. The second reason is that such a one is certain to be deceived or at least is in great danger of delusion, for an entrance is thus left open to the devil, who only needs to see the door left ajar to slip in at once and play us a thousand tricks.
7.02 - The Mind, #Words Of The Mother II, #The Mother, #Integral Yoga
It is only love that can understand and get at the secrets of the Divine Working. The mind, the physical mind especially, is incapable of seeing correctly and yet it always wants to judge. It is only a true, sincere Humility in the mind, allowing the psychic to rule the being, that can save human beings from ignorance and obscurity.
Each time that I try to rise a little, there is a setback.
A Secret Miracle, #Labyrinths, #Jorge Luis Borges, #Poetry
of politeness or Humility. As he lighted it, he noticed that his hands were
shaking. The day was clouding over; the soldiers spoke in a low voice as
Blazing P1 - Preconventional consciousness, #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
this inquiry has only served to increase the Humility I hold in the face of the great mystery
called Life. Yet as we strive to learn more about Life by using lenses like Integral Theory, we
Blazing P3 - Explore the Stages of Postconventional Consciousness, #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
harps we know nothing of within us. He values wonder, awe, reverence, Humility, fusion,
integration, unity, simplicity, the poetic perception of realitynon-interfering perception
BOOK I. - Augustine censures the pagans, who attributed the calamities of the world, and especially the sack of Rome by the Goths, to the Christian religion and its prohibition of the worship of the gods, #City of God, #Saint Augustine of Hippo, #Christianity
The glorious city of God is my theme in this work, which you, my dearest son Marcellinus,[25] suggested, and which is due to you by my promise. I have undertaken its defence against those who prefer their own gods to the Founder of this city,a city surpassingly glorious, whether we view it as it still lives by faith in this fleeting course of time, and sojourns as a stranger in the midst of the ungodly, or as it shall dwell in the fixed stability of its eternal seat, which it now with patience waits for, expecting until "righteousness shall return unto judgment,"[26] and it obtain, by virtue of its excellence, final victory and perfect peace. A great work this, and an arduous; but God is my helper. For I am aware what ability is requisite to persuade the proud how great is the virtue of Humility, which raises us, not by a quite human arrogance, but by a divine grace, above all earthly dignities that totter on this shifting scene. For the King and Founder[Pg 2] of this city of which we speak, has in Scripture uttered to His people a dictum of the divine law in these words: "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."[27] But this, which is God's prerogative, the inflated ambition of a proud spirit also affects, and dearly loves that this be numbered among its attri butes, to
"Show pity to the humbled soul, And crush the sons of pride."[28]
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In other words, the place consecrated to so great a goddess[Pg 7] was chosen, not that from it none might be led out a captive, but that in it all the captives might be immured. Compare now this "asylum"the asylum not of an ordinary god, not of one of the rank and file of gods, but of Jove's own sister and wife, the queen of all the godswith the churches built in memory of the apostles. Into it were collected the spoils rescued from the blazing temples and snatched from the gods, not that they might be restored to the vanquished, but divided among the victors; while into these was carried back, with the most religious observance and respect, everything which belonged to them, even though found elsewhere. There liberty was lost; here preserved. There bondage was strict; here strictly excluded. Into that temple men were driven to become the chattels of their enemies, now lording it over them; into these churches men were led by their relenting foes, that they might be at liberty. In fine, the gentle[39] Greeks appropriated that temple of Juno to the purposes of their own avarice and pride; while these churches of Christ were chosen even by the savage barbarians as the fit scenes for Humility and mercy. But perhaps, after all, the Greeks did in that victory of theirs spare the temples of those gods whom they worshipped in common with the Trojans, and did not dare to put to the sword or make captive the wretched and vanquished Trojans who fled thither; and perhaps Virgil, in the manner of poets, has depicted what never really happened? But there is no question that he depicted the usual custom of an enemy when sacking a city.
5. Csar's statement regarding the universal custom of an enemy when sacking a city.
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Let not your life, then, be a burden to you, ye faithful servants of Christ, though your chastity was made the sport of your enemies. You have a grand and true consolation, if you maintain a good conscience, and know that you did not consent to the sins of those who were permitted to commit sinful outrage upon you. And if you should ask why this permission was granted, indeed it is a deep providence of the Creator and Governor of the world; and "unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out."[77] Nevertheless,[Pg 40] faithfully interrogate your own souls, whether ye have not been unduly puffed up by your integrity, and continence, and chastity; and whether ye have not been so desirous of the human praise that is accorded to these virtues, that ye have envied some who possessed them. I, for my part, do not know your hearts, and therefore I make no accusation; I do not even hear what your hearts answer when you question them. And yet, if they answer that it is as I have supposed it might be, do not marvel that you have lost that by which you can win men's praise, and retain that which cannot be exhibited to men. If you did not consent to sin, it was because God added His aid to His grace that it might not be lost, and because shame before men succeeded to human glory that it might not be loved. But in both respects even the fainthearted among you have a consolation, approved by the one experience, chastened by the other; justified by the one, corrected by the other. As to those whose hearts, when interrogated, reply that they have never been proud of the virtue of virginity, widowhood, or matrimonial chastity, but, condescending to those of low estate, rejoiced with trembling in these gifts of God, and that they have never envied any one the like excellences of sanctity and purity, but rose superior to human applause, which is wont to be abundant in proportion to the rarity of the virtue applauded, and rather desired that their own number be increased, than that by the smallness of their numbers each of them should be conspicuous;even such faithful women, I say, must not complain that permission was given to the barbarians so grossly to outrage them; nor must they allow themselves to believe that God overlooked their character when He permitted acts which no one with impunity commits. For some most flagrant and wicked desires are allowed free play at present by the secret judgment of God, and are reserved to the public and final judgment. Moreover, it is possible that those Christian women, who are unconscious of any undue pride on account of their virtuous chastity, whereby they sinlessly suffered the violence of their captors, had yet some lurking infirmity which might have betrayed them into a proud and contemptuous bearing, had they not been subjected to the humiliation that[Pg 41] befell them in the taking of the city. As, therefore, some men were removed by death, that no wickedness might change their disposition, so these women were outraged lest prosperity should corrupt their modesty. Neither those women, then, who were already puffed up by the circumstance that they were still virgins, nor those who might have been so puffed up had they not been exposed to the violence of the enemy, lost their chastity, but rather gained Humility: the former were saved from pride already cherished, the latter from pride that would shortly have grown upon them.
We must further notice that some of those sufferers may have conceived that continence is a bodily good, and abides so long as the body is inviolate, and did not understand that the purity both of the body and the soul rests on the stedfastness of the will streng thened by God's grace, and cannot be forcibly taken from an unwilling person. From this error they are probably now delivered. For when they reflect how conscientiously they served God, and when they settle again to the firm persuasion that He can in nowise desert those who so serve Him, and so invoke His aid; and when they consider, what they cannot doubt, how pleasing to Him is chastity, they are shut up to the conclusion that He could never have permitted these disasters to befall His saints, if by them that saintliness could be destroyed which He Himself had bestowed upon them, and delights to see in them.
BOOK II. - A review of the calamities suffered by the Romans before the time of Christ, showing that their gods had plunged them into corruption and vice, #City of God, #Saint Augustine of Hippo, #Christianity
But will they perhaps remind us of the schools of the philosophers, and their disputations? In the first place, these belong not to Rome, but to Greece; and even if we yield to them that they are now Roman, because Greece itself has become a Roman province, still the teachings of the philosophers are not the commandments of the gods, but the discoveries of men, who, at the prompting of their own speculative ability, made efforts to discover the hidden laws of nature, and the right and wrong in ethics, and in dialectic what was consequent according to the rules of logic, and what was inconsequent and erroneous. And some of them, by God's help, made great discoveries; but when left to themselves they were betrayed by human infirmity, and fell into mistakes. And this was ordered by divine providence, that their pride might be restrained, and that by their example it might be pointed out that it is Humility which has access to the highest regions.[Pg 56] But of this we shall have more to say, if the Lord God of truth permit, in its own place.[92] However, if the philosophers have made any discoveries which are sufficient to guide men to virtue and blessedness, would it not have been greater justice to vote divine honours to them? Were it not more accordant with every virtuous sentiment to read Plato's writings in a "Temple of Plato," than to be present in the temples of devils to witness the priests of Cybele[93] mutilating themselves, the effeminate being consecrated, the raving fanatics cutting themselves, and whatever other cruel or shameful, or shamefully cruel or cruelly shameful, ceremony is enjoined by the ritual of such gods as these? Were it not a more suitable education, and more likely to prompt the youth to virtue, if they heard public recitals of the laws of the gods, instead of the vain laudation of the customs and laws of their ancestors? Certainly all the worshippers of the Roman gods, when once they are possessed by what Persius calls "the burning poison of lust,"[94] prefer to witness the deeds of Jupiter rather than to hear what Plato taught or Cato censured. Hence the young profligate in Terence, when he sees on the wall a fresco representing the fabled descent of Jupiter into the lap of Dana in the form of a golden shower, accepts this as authoritative precedent for his own licentiousness, and boasts that he is an imitator of God. "And what God?" he says. "He who with His thunder shakes the loftiest temples. And was I, a poor creature compared to Him, to make bones of it? No; I did it, and with all my heart."[95]
[Pg 57]
BOOK IX. - Of those who allege a distinction among demons, some being good and others evil, #City of God, #Saint Augustine of Hippo, #Christianity
But if, as is much more probable and credible, it must needs be that all men, so long as they are mortal, are also miserable, we must seek an intermediate who is not only man, but also God, that, by the interposition of His blessed mortality, He may bring men out of their mortal misery to a blessed immortality. In this intermediate two things are requisite, that He become mortal, and that He do not continue mortal. He did become mortal, not rendering the divinity of the Word infirm, but assuming the infirmity of flesh. Neither did He continue mortal in the flesh, but raised it from the dead; for it is the very fruit of His mediation that those, for the sake of whose redemption He became the Mediator,[Pg 370] should not abide eternally in bodily death. Wherefore it became the Mediator between us and God to have both a transient mortality and a permanent blessedness, that by that which is transient He might be assimilated to mortals, and might translate them from mortality to that which is permanent. Good angels, therefore, cannot mediate between miserable mortals and blessed immortals, for they themselves also are both blessed and immortal; but evil angels can mediate, because they are immortal like the one party, miserable like the other. To these is opposed the good Mediator, who, in opposition to their immortality and misery, has chosen to be mortal for a time, and has been able to continue blessed in eternity. It is thus He has destroyed, by the Humility of His death and the benignity of His blessedness, those proud immortals and hurtful wretches, and has prevented them from seducing to misery by their boast of immortality those men whose hearts He has cleansed by faith, and whom He has thus freed from their impure dominion.
Man, then, mortal and miserable, and far removed from the immortal and the blessed, what medium shall he choose by which he may be united to immortality and blessedness? The immortality of the demons, which might have some charm for man, is miserable; the mortality of Christ, which might offend man, exists no longer. In the one there is the fear of an eternal misery; in the other, death, which could not be eternal, can no longer be feared, and blessedness, which is eternal, must be loved. For the immortal and miserable mediator interposes himself to prevent us from passing to a blessed immortality, because that which hinders such a passage, namely, misery, continues in him; but the mortal and blessed Mediator interposed Himself, in order that, having passed through mortality, He might of mortals make immortals (showing His power to do this in His own resurrection), and from being miserable to raise them to the blessed company from the number of whom He had Himself never departed. There is, then, a wicked mediator, who separates friends, and a good Mediator, who reconciles enemies. And those who separate are numerous, because the multitude of the blessed are blessed only by their participation in the one God; of which[Pg 371] participation the evil angels being deprived, they are wretched, and interpose to hinder rather than to help to this blessedness, and by their very number prevent us from reaching that one beatific good, to obtain which we need not many but one Mediator, the uncreated Word of God, by whom all things were made, and in partaking of whom we are blessed. I do not say that He is Mediator because He is the Word, for as the Word He is supremely blessed and supremely immortal, and therefore far from miserable mortals; but He is Mediator as He is man, for by His humanity He shows us that, in order to obtain that blessed and beatific good, we need not seek other mediators to lead us through the successive steps of this attainment, but that the blessed and beatific God, having Himself become a partaker of our humanity, has afforded us ready access to the participation of His divinity. For in delivering us from our mortality and misery, He does not lead us to the immortal and blessed angels, so that we should become immortal and blessed by participating in their nature, but He leads us straight to that Trinity, by participating in which the angels themselves are blessed. Therefore, when He chose to be in the form of a servant, and lower than the angels, that He might be our Mediator, He remained higher than the angels, in the form of God,Himself at once the way of life on earth and life itself in heaven.
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However, the very origin of the name suggests something worthy of consideration, if we compare it with the divine books. They are called demons from a Greek word meaning knowledge.[353] Now the apostle, speaking with the Holy Spirit, says, "Knowledge puffeth up, but charity buildeth up."[354] And this can only be understood as meaning that without charity knowledge does no good, but inflates a man or magnifies him with an empty windiness. The demons, then, have knowledge without charity, and are thereby so inflated or proud, that they crave those divine honours and religious services which they know to be due to the true God, and still, as far as they can, exact these from all over whom they have influence. Against this pride of the demons, under which the human race was held subject as its merited punishment, there was exerted the mighty influence of the Humility of God, who appeared in the form of a servant; but men, resembling the demons in pride, but not in knowledge, and being puffed up with uncleanness, failed to recognise Him.
21. To what extent the Lord was pleased to make Himself known to the demons.
Book of Imaginary Beings (text), #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
for Humility and the number six is sacred, corresponding to
the six dimensions of space: upward, downward, forward,
BOOK VIII. - Some account of the Socratic and Platonic philosophy, and a refutation of the doctrine of Apuleius that the demons should be worshipped as mediators between gods and men, #City of God, #Saint Augustine of Hippo, #Christianity
has reference to the fact that the fruits of one field are said to be transferred to another by these arts which this pestiferous and accursed doctrine teaches. Does not Cicero inform us that, among the laws of the Twelve Tables, that is, the most ancient laws of the Romans, there was a law written which appointed a punishment to be inflicted on him who should do this?[312] Lastly, was it before Christian judges that Apuleius himself was accused of magic arts?[313] Had he known these arts to be divine and pious, and congruous with the works of divine power, he ought not only to have confessed, but also to have professed them, rather blaming the laws by which these things were prohibited and pronounced worthy of condemnation, while they ought to have been held worthy of admiration and respect.[Pg 334] For by so doing, either he would have persuaded the judges to adopt his own opinion, or, if they had shown their partiality for unjust laws, and condemned him to death notwithstanding his praising and commending such things, the demons would have bestowed on his soul such rewards as he deserved, who, in order to proclaim and set forth their divine works, had not feared the loss of his human life. As our martyrs, when that religion was charged on them as a crime, by which they knew they were made safe and most glorious throughout eternity, did not choose, by denying it, to escape temporal punishments, but rather by confessing, professing, and proclaiming it, by enduring all things for it with fidelity and fortitude, and by dying for it with pious calmness, put to shame the law by which that religion was prohibited, and caused its revocation. But there is extant a most copious and eloquent oration of this Platonic philosopher, in which he defends himself against the charge of practising these arts, affirming that he is wholly a stranger to them, and only wishing to show his innocence by denying such things as cannot be innocently committed. But all the miracles of the magicians, who he thinks are justly deserving of condemnation, are performed according to the teaching and by the power of demons. Why, then, does he think that they ought to be honoured? For he asserts that they are necessary, in order to present our prayers to the gods, and yet their works are such as we must shun if we wish our prayers to reach the true God. Again, I ask, what kind of prayers of men does he suppose are presented to the good gods by the demons? If magical prayers, they will have none such; if lawful prayers, they will not receive them through such beings. But if a sinner who is penitent pour out prayers, especially if he has committed any crime of sorcery, does he receive pardon through the intercession of those demons by whose instigation and help he has fallen into the sin he mourns? or do the demons themselves, in order that they may merit pardon for the penitent, first become penitents because they have deceived them? This no one ever said concerning the demons; for had this been the case, they would never have dared to seek for themselves divine honours. For how should they do so who desired by penitence to obtain the grace of[Pg 335] pardon, seeing that such detestable pride could not exist along with a Humility worthy of pardon?
20. Whether we are to believe that the good gods are more willing to have intercourse with demons than with men.
BOOK VII. - Of the select gods of the civil theology, and that eternal life is not obtained by worshipping them, #City of God, #Saint Augustine of Hippo, #Christianity
This, the only true religion, has alone been able to manifest that the gods of the nations are most impure demons, who desire to be thought gods, availing themselves of the names of certain defunct souls, or the appearance of mundane creatures, and with proud impurity rejoicing in things most base and infamous, as though in divine honours, and envying human souls their conversion to the true God. From whose most cruel and most impious dominion a man is liberated when he believes on Him who has afforded an example of Humility, following which men may rise as great as was that pride by which they fell. Hence are not only those gods, concerning whom we have already spoken much, and many others belonging to different nations and lands, but also those of whom we are now treating, who have been selected as it were into the senate of the gods,selected, however, on account of the notoriousness of their crimes, not on account of the dignity of their virtues,whose sacred things Varro attempts to refer to certain natural reasons, seeking to make base things honourable, but cannot find how to square and agree with these reasons, because these are not the causes of those rites, which he thinks, or rather wishes to be thought to be so. For had not only these, but also all others of this kind, been real causes, even though they had nothing to do with the true God and eternal life, which is to be sought in religion, they would, by affording some sort of reason drawn from the nature of things, have mitigated in some degree that offence which was occasioned by some turpitude or absurdity in the sacred rites, which was not understood. This he attempted to do in respect to certain fables of the theatres, or mysteries of the[Pg 301] shrines; but he did not acquit the theatres of likeness to the shrines, but rather condemned the shrines for likeness to the theatres. However, he in some way made the attempt to soo the the feelings shocked by horrible things, by rendering what he would have to be natural interpretations.
34. Concerning the books of Numa Pompilius, which the senate ordered to be burned, in order that the causes of sacred rites therein assigned should not become known..
BOOK V. - Of fate, freewill, and God's prescience, and of the source of the virtues of the ancient Romans, #City of God, #Saint Augustine of Hippo, #Christianity
For neither do we say that certain Christian emperors were therefore happy because they ruled a long time, or, dying a peaceful death, left their sons to succeed them in the empire,[Pg 223] or subdued the enemies of the republic, or were able both to guard against and to suppress the attempt of hostile citizens rising against them. These and other gifts or comforts of this sorrowful life even certain worshippers of demons have merited to receive, who do not belong to the kingdom of God to which these belong; and this is to be traced to the mercy of God, who would not have those who believe in Him desire such things as the highest good. But we say that they are happy if they rule justly; if they are not lifted up amid the praises of those who pay them sublime honours, and the obsequiousness of those who salute them with an excessive Humility, but remember that they are men; if they make their power the handmaid of His majesty by using it for the greatest possible extension of His worship; if they fear, love, worship God; if more than their own they love that kingdom in which they are not afraid to have partners; if they are slow to punish, ready to pardon; if they apply that punishment as necessary to government and defence of the republic, and not in order to gratify their own enmity; if they grant pardon, not that iniquity may go unpunished, but with the hope that the transgressor may amend his ways; if they compensate with the lenity of mercy and the liberality of benevolence for whatever severity they may be compelled to decree; if their luxury is as much restrained as it might have been unrestrained; if they prefer to govern depraved desires rather than any nation whatever; and if they do all these things, not through ardent desire of empty glory, but through love of eternal felicity, not neglecting to offer to the true God, who is their God, for their sins, the sacrifices of Humility, contrition, and prayer. Such Christian emperors, we say, are happy in the present time by hope, and are destined to be so in the enjoyment of the reality itself, when that which we wait for shall have arrived.
25. Concerning the prosperity which God granted to the Christian emperor Constantine.
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And on this account, Theodosius not only preserved during the lifetime of Gratian that fidelity which was due to him, but also, after his death, he, like a true Christian, took his little brother Valentinian under his protection, as joint emperor, after he had been expelled by Maximus, the murderer of his father. He guarded him with paternal affection, though he might without any difficulty have got rid of him, being entirely destitute of all resources, had he been animated with the desire of extensive empire, and not with the ambition of being a benefactor. It was therefore a far greater pleasure to him, when he had adopted the boy, and preserved to him his[Pg 225] imperial dignity, to console him by his very humanity and kindness. Afterwards, when that success was rendering Maximus terrible, Theodosius, in the midst of his perplexing anxieties, was not drawn away to follow the suggestions of a sacrilegious and unlawful curiosity, but sent to John, whose abode was in the desert of Egypt,for he had learned that this servant of God (whose fame was spreading abroad) was endowed with the gift of prophecy, and from him he received assurance of victory. Immediately the slayer of the tyrant Maximus, with the deepest feelings of compassion and respect, restored the boy Valentinianus to his share in the empire from which he had been driven. Valentinianus being soon after slain by secret assassination, or by some other plot or accident, Theodosius, having again received a response from the prophet, and placing entire confidence in it, marched against the tyrant Eugenius, who had been unlawfully elected to succeed that emperor, and defeated his very powerful army, more by prayer than by the sword. Some soldiers who were at the battle reported to me that all the missiles they were throwing were snatched from their hands by a vehement wind, which blew from the direction of Theodosius' army upon the enemy; nor did it only drive with greater velocity the darts which were hurled against them, but also turned back upon their own bodies the darts which they themselves were throwing. And therefore the poet Claudian, although an alien from the name of Christ, nevertheless says in his praises of him, "O prince, too much beloved by God, for thee olus pours armed tempests from their caves; for thee the air fights, and the winds with one accord obey thy bugles."[224] But the victor, as he had believed and predicted, overthrew the statues of Jupiter, which had been, as it were, consecrated by I know not what kind of rites against him, and set up in the Alps. And the thunderbolts of these statues, which were made of gold, he mirthfully and graciously presented to his couriers, who (as the joy of the occasion permitted) were jocularly saying that they would be most happy to be struck by such thunderbolts. The sons of his own enemies, whose fathers had been slain not so much by his orders as by the vehemence of war, having[Pg 226] fled for refuge to a church, though they were not yet Christians, he was anxious, taking advantage of the occasion, to bring over to Christianity, and treated them with Christian love. Nor did he deprive them of their property, but, besides allowing them to retain it, bestowed on them additional honours. He did not permit private animosities to affect the treatment of any man after the war. He was not like Cinna, and Marius, and Sylla, and other such men, who wished not to finish civil wars even when they were finished, but rather grieved that they had arisen at all, than wished that when they were finished they should harm any one. Amid all these events, from the very commencement of his reign, he did not cease to help the troubled church against the impious by most just and merciful laws, which the heretical Valens, favouring the Arians, had vehemently afflicted. Indeed, he rejoiced more to be a member of this church than he did to be a king upon the earth. The idols of the Gentiles he everywhere ordered to be overthrown, understanding well that not even terrestrial gifts are placed in the power of demons, but in that of the true God. And what could be more admirable than his religious Humility, when, compelled by the urgency of certain of his intimates, he avenged the grievous crime of the Thessalonians, which at the prayer of the bishops he had promised to pardon, and, being laid hold of by the discipline of the church, did penance in such a way that the sight of his imperial loftiness prostrated made the people who were interceding for him weep more than the consciousness of offence had made them fear it when enraged? These and other similar good works, which it would be long to tell, he carried with him from this world of time, where the greatest human nobility and loftiness are but vapour. Of these works the reward is eternal happiness, of which God is the giver, though only to those who are sincerely pious. But all other blessings and privileges of this life, as the world itself, light, air, earth, water, fruits, and the soul of man himself, his body, senses, mind, life, He lavishes on good and bad alike. And among these blessings is also to be reckoned the possession of an empire, whose extent He regulates according to the requirements of His providential government at various times. Whence, I see, we must now answer those who, being confuted[Pg 227] and convicted by the most manifest proofs, by which it is shown that for obtaining these terrestrial things, which are all the foolish desire to have, that multitude of false gods is of no use, attempt to assert that the gods are to be worshipped with a view to the interest, not of the present life, but of that which is to come after death. For as to those who, for the sake of the friendship of this world, are willing to worship vanities, and do not grieve that they are left to their puerile understandings, I think they have been sufficiently answered in these five books; of which books, when I had published the first three, and they had begun to come into the hands of many, I heard that certain persons were preparing against them an answer of some kind or other in writing. Then it was told me that they had already written their answer, but were waiting a time when they could publish it without danger. Such persons I would advise not to desire what cannot be of any advantage to them; for it is very easy for a man to seem to himself to have answered arguments, when he has only been unwilling to be silent. For what is more loquacious than vanity? And though it be able, if it like, to shout more loudly than the truth, it is not, for all that, more powerful than the truth. But let men consider diligently all the things that we have said, and if, perchance, judging without party spirit, they shall clearly perceive that they are such things as may rather be shaken than torn up by their most impudent garrulity, and, as it were, satirical and mimic levity, let them restrain their absurdities, and let them choose rather to be corrected by the wise than to be lauded by the foolish. For if they are waiting an opportunity, not for liberty to speak the truth, but for licence to revile, may not that befall them which Tully says concerning some one, "Oh, wretched man! who was at liberty to sin?"[225] Wherefore, whoever he be who deems himself happy because of licence to revile, he would be far happier if that were not allowed him at all; for he might all the while, laying aside empty boast, be contradicting those to whose views he is opposed by way of free consultation with them, and be listening, as it becomes him, honourably, gravely, candidly, to all that can be adduced by those whom he consults by friendly disputation.
[Pg 228]
BOOK XI. - Augustine passes to the second part of the work, in which the origin, progress, and destinies of the earthly and heavenly cities are discussed.Speculations regarding the creation of the world, #City of God, #Saint Augustine of Hippo, #Christianity
This cause, however, of a good creation, namely, the goodness of God,this cause, I say, so just and fit, which, when piously and carefully weighed, terminates all the controversies of those who inquire into the origin of the world, has not been recognised by some heretics,[490] because there are, forsooth, many things, such as fire, frost, wild beasts, and so forth, which do not suit but injure this thin-blooded and frail mortality of our[Pg 462] flesh, which is at present under just punishment. They do not consider how admirable these things are in their own places, how excellent in their own natures, how beautifully adjusted to the rest of creation, and how much grace they contri bute to the universe by their own contri butions as to a commonwealth; and how serviceable they are even to ourselves, if we use them with a knowledge of their fit adaptations,so that even poisons, which are destructive when used injudiciously, become wholesome and medicinal when used in conformity with their qualities and design; just as, on the other hand, those things which give us pleasure, such as food, drink, and the light of the sun, are found to be hurtful when immoderately or unseasonably used. And thus divine providence admonishes us not foolishly to vituperate things, but to investigate their utility with care; and, where our mental capacity or infirmity is at fault, to believe that there is a utility, though hidden, as we have experienced that there were other things which we all but failed to discover. For this concealment of the use of things is itself either an exercise of our Humility or a levelling of our pride; for no nature at all is evil, and this is a name for nothing but the want of good. But from things earthly to things heavenly, from the visible to the invisible, there are some things better than others; and for this purpose are they unequal, in order that they might all exist. Now God is in such sort a great worker in great things, that He is not less in little things,for these little things are to be measured not by their own greatness (which does not exist), but by the wisdom of their Designer; as, in the visible appearance of a man, if one eyebrow be shaved off, how nearly nothing is taken from the body, but how much from the beauty!for that is not constituted by bulk, but by the proportion and arrangement of the members. But we do not greatly wonder that persons, who suppose that some evil nature has been generated and propagated by a kind of opposing principle proper to it, refuse to admit that the cause of the creation was this, that the good God produced a good creation. For they believe that He was driven to this enterprise of creation by the urgent necessity of repulsing the evil that warred against Him, and that He mixed His good nature[Pg 463] with the evil for the sake of restraining and conquering it; and that this nature of His, being thus shamefully polluted, and most cruelly oppressed and held captive, He labours to cleanse and deliver it, and with all His pains does not wholly succeed; but such part of it as could not be cleansed from that defilement is to serve as a prison and chain of the conquered and incarcerated enemy. The Manichans would not drivel, or rather, rave in such a style as this, if they believed the nature of God to be, as it is, unchangeable and absolutely incorruptible, and subject to no injury; and if, moreover, they held in Christian sobriety, that the soul which has shown itself capable of being altered for the worse by its own will, and of being corrupted by sin, and so, of being deprived of the light of eternal truth,that this soul, I say, is not a part of God, nor of the same nature as God, but is created by Him, and is far different from its Creator.
23. Of the error in which the doctrine of Origen is involved.
BOOK XIV. - Of the punishment and results of mans first sin, and of the propagation of man without lust, #City of God, #Saint Augustine of Hippo, #Christianity
Our first parents fell into open disobedience because already they were secretly corrupted; for the evil act had never been done had not an evil will preceded it. And what is the origin of our evil will but pride? For "pride is the beginning of sin."[92] And what is pride but the craving for undue exaltation? And this is undue exaltation, when the soul abandons Him to whom it ought to cleave as its end, and[Pg 26] becomes a kind of end to itself. This happens when it becomes its own satisfaction. And it does so when it falls away from that unchangeable good which ought to satisfy it more than itself. This falling away is spontaneous; for if the will had remained stedfast in the love of that higher and changeless good by which it was illumined to intelligence and kindled into love, it would not have turned away to find satisfaction in itself, and so become frigid and benighted; the woman would not have believed the serpent spoke the truth, nor would the man have preferred the request of his wife to the comm and of God, nor have supposed that it was a venial transgression to cleave to the partner of his life even in a partnership of sin. The wicked deed, then,that is to say, the transgression of eating the forbidden fruit,was committed by persons who were already wicked. That "evil fruit"[93] could be brought forth only by "a corrupt tree." But that the tree was evil was not the result of nature; for certainly it could become so only by the vice of the will, and vice is contrary to nature. Now, nature could not have been depraved by vice had it not been made out of nothing. Consequently, that it is a nature, this is because it is made by God; but that it falls away from Him, this is because it is made out of nothing. But man did not so fall away[94] as to become absolutely nothing; but being turned towards himself, his being became more contracted than it was when he clave to Him who supremely is. Accordingly, to exist in himself, that is, to be his own satisfaction after abandoning God, is not quite to become a nonentity, but to approximate to that. And therefore the holy Scriptures designate the proud by another name, "self-pleasers." For it is good to have the heart lifted up, yet not to one's self, for this is proud, but to the Lord, for this is obedient, and can be the act only of the humble. There is, therefore, something in Humility which, strangely enough, exalts the heart, and something in pride which debases it. This seems, indeed, to be contradictory, that loftiness should debase and lowliness exalt. But pious Humility enables us to submit to what is above us; and nothing is more exalted above us than God; and therefore[Pg 27] Humility, by making us subject to God, exalts us. But pride, being a defect of nature, by the very act of refusing subjection and revolting from Him who is supreme, falls to a low condition; and then comes to pass what is written: "Thou castedst them down when they lifted up themselves."[95] For he does not say, "when they had been lifted up," as if first they were exalted, and then afterwards cast down; but "when they lifted up themselves" even then they were cast down,that is to say, the very lifting up was already a fall. And therefore it is that Humility is specially recommended to the city of God as it sojourns in this world, and is specially exhibited in the city of God, and in the person of Christ its King; while the contrary vice of pride, according to the testimony of the sacred writings, specially rules his adversary the devil. And certainly this is the great difference which distinguishes the two cities of which we speak, the one being the society of the godly men, the other of the ungodly, each associated with the angels that adhere to their party, and the one guided and fashioned by love of self, the other by love of God.
The devil, then, would not have ensnared man in the open and manifest sin of doing what God had forbidden, had man not already begun to live for himself. It was this that made him listen with pleasure to the words, "Ye shall be as gods,"[96] which they would much more readily have accomplished by obediently adhering to their supreme and true end than by proudly living to themselves. For created gods are gods not by virtue of what is in themselves, but by a participation of the true God. By craving to be more, man becomes less; and by aspiring to be self-sufficing, he fell away from Him who truly suffices him. Accordingly, this wicked desire which prompts man to please himself as if he were himself light, and which thus turns him away from that light by which, had he followed it, he would himself have become light,this wicked desire, I say, already secretly existed in him, and the open sin was but its consequence. For that is true which is written, "Pride goeth before destruction, and before honour is Humility;"[97] that is to say, secret ruin precedes open ruin, while the former is not counted ruin. For who counts exaltation[Pg 28] ruin, though no sooner is the Highest forsaken than a fall is begun? But who does not recognise it as ruin, when there occurs an evident and indubitable transgression of the commandment? And consequently, God's prohibition had reference to such an act as, when committed, could not be defended on any pretence of doing what was righteous.[98] And I make bold to say that it is useful for the proud to fall into an open and indisputable transgression, and so displease themselves, as already, by pleasing themselves, they had fallen. For Peter was in a healthier condition when he wept and was dissatisfied with himself, than when he boldly presumed and satisfied himself. And this is averred by the sacred Psalmist when he says, "Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek Thy name, O Lord;"[99] that is, that they who have pleased themselves in seeking their own glory may be pleased and satisfied with Thee in seeking Thy glory.
14. Of the pride in the sin, which was worse than the sin itself.
BOOK X. - Porphyrys doctrine of redemption, #City of God, #Saint Augustine of Hippo, #Christianity
This being so, if the Platonists, or those who think with them, knowing God, glorified Him as God and gave thanks, if they did not become vain in their own thoughts, if they did not originate or yield to the popular errors, they would certainly acknowledge that neither could the blessed immortals retain, nor we miserable mortals reach, a happy condition without worshipping the one God of gods, who is both theirs and ours. To Him we owe the service which is called in Greek , whether we render it outwardly or inwardly; for we are all His temple, each of us severally and all of us together, because He condescends to inhabit each individually and the whole harmonious body, being no greater in all than in each, since He is neither expanded nor divided. Our heart when it rises to Him is His altar; the priest who intercedes for us is His Only-begotten; we sacrifice to Him bleeding victims when we contend for His truth even unto blood; to Him we offer the sweetest incense when we come before Him burning with holy and pious love; to Him we devote and surrender ourselves and His gifts in us; to Him, by solemn feasts and on appointed days, we consecrate the memory of His benefits, lest through the lapse of time ungrateful oblivion should steal upon us; to Him we offer on the altar of our heart the sacrifice of Humility and praise, kindled by the fire of burning love. It is that we may see Him, so far as He can be seen; it is that we may cleave to Him, that we are cleansed from all stain of sins and evil passions, and are consecrated in His name. For He is the fountain of our happiness,[Pg 387] He the end of all our desires. Being attached to Him, or rather let me say, re-attached,for we had detached ourselves and lost hold of Him,being, I say, re-attached to Him,[373] we tend towards Him by love, that we may rest in Him, and find our blessedness by attaining that end. For our good, about which philosophers have so keenly contended, is nothing else than to be united to God. It is, if I may say so, by spiritually embracing Him that the intellectual soul is filled and impregnated with true virtues. We are enjoined to love this good with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength. To this good we ought to be led by those who love us, and to lead those we love. Thus are fulfilled those two commandments on which hang all the law and the prophets: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy mind, and with all thy soul;" and "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."[374] For, that man might be intelligent in his self-love, there was appointed for him an end to which he might refer all his actions, that he might be blessed. For he who loves himself wishes nothing else than this. And the end set before him is "to draw near to God."[375] And so, when one who has this intelligent self-love is commanded to love his neighbour as himself, what else is enjoined than that he shall do all in his power to commend to him the love of God? This is the worship of God, this is true religion, this right piety, this the service due to God only. If any immortal power, then, no matter with what virtue endowed, loves us as himself, he must desire that we find our happiness by submitting ourselves to Him, in submission to whom he himself finds happiness. If he does not worship God, he is wretched, because deprived of God; if he worships God, he cannot wish to be worshipped in God's stead. On the contrary, these higher powers acquiesce heartily in the divine sentence in which it is written, "He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed."[376]
4. That sacrifice is due to the true God only.
But, putting aside for the present the other religious services[Pg 388] with which God is worshipped, certainly no man would dare to say that sacrifice is due to any but God. Many parts, indeed, of divine worship are unduly used in showing honour to men, whether through an excessive Humility or pernicious flattery; yet, while this is done, those persons who are thus worshipped and venerated, or even adored, are reckoned no more than human; and who ever thought of sacrificing save to one whom he knew, supposed, or feigned to be a god? And how ancient a part of God's worship sacrifice is, those two brothers, Cain and Abel, sufficiently show, of whom God rejected the elder's sacrifice, and looked favourably on the younger's.
5. Of the sacrifices which God does not require, but wished to be observed for the exhibition of those things which He does require.
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Accordingly, when we speak of God, we do not affirm two or three principles, no more than we are at liberty to affirm two or three gods; although, speaking of each, of the Father, or of the Son, or of the Holy Ghost, we confess that each is God: and yet we do not say, as the Sabellian heretics say, that the Father is the same as the Son, and the Holy Spirit the same as the Father and the Son; but we say that the Father is the Father of the Son, and the Son the Son of the Father, and that the Holy Spirit of the Father and the Son is neither the Father nor the Son. It was therefore truly said that man is cleansed only by a Principle, although the Platonists erred in speaking in the plural of principles. But Porphyry, being under the dominion of these envious powers, whose influence he was at once ashamed of and afraid to throw off, refused to recognise that Christ is the Principle by whose incarnation we are purified. Indeed he despised Him, because of the flesh itself which He assumed, that He might offer a sacrifice for our purification,a great mystery, unintelligible to Porphyry's pride, which that true and benignant Redeemer brought low by His Humility, manifesting Himself to mortals by the mortality which He assumed, and which[Pg 415] the malignant and deceitful mediators are proud of wanting, promising, as the boon of immortals, a deceptive assistance to wretched men. Thus the good and true Mediator showed that it is sin which is evil, and not the substance or nature of flesh; for this, together with the human soul, could without sin be both assumed and retained, and laid down in death, and changed to something better by resurrection. He showed also that death itself, although the punishment of sin, was submitted to by Him for our sakes without sin, and must not be evaded by sin on our part, but rather, if opportunity serves, be borne for righteousness' sake. For he was able to expiate sins by dying, because He both died, and not for sin of His own. But He has not been recognised by Porphyry as the Principle, otherwise he would have recognised Him as the Purifier. The Principle is neither the flesh nor the human soul in Christ, but the Word by which all things were made. The flesh, therefore, does not by its own virtue purify, but by virtue of the Word by which it was assumed, when "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."[415] For, speaking mystically of eating His flesh, when those who did not understand Him were offended and went away, saying, "This is an hard saying, who can hear it?" He answered to the rest who remained, "It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing."[416] The Principle, therefore, having assumed a human soul and flesh, cleanses the soul and flesh of believers. Therefore, when the Jews asked Him who He was, He answered that He was the Principle.[417] And this we carnal and feeble men, liable to sin, and involved in the darkness of ignorance, could not possibly understand, unless we were cleansed and healed by Him, both by means of what we were, and of what we were not. For we were men, but we were not righteous; whereas in His incarnation there was a human nature, but it was righteous, and not sinful. This is the mediation whereby a hand is stretched to the lapsed and fallen; this is the seed "ordained by angels," by whose ministry the law also was given enjoining the worship of one God, and promising that this Mediator should come.
[Pg 416]
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You drive men, therefore, into the most palpable error. And yet you are not ashamed of doing so much harm, though you call yourself a lover of virtue and wisdom. Had you been true and faithful in this profession, you would have recognised Christ, the virtue of God and the wisdom of God, and would not, in the pride of vain science, have revolted from His wholesome Humility. Nevertheless you acknowledge that the spiritual part of the soul can be purified by the virtue of chastity without the aid of those theurgic arts and mysteries which you wasted your time in learning. You even say, sometimes, that these mysteries do not raise the soul after death, so that, after the termination of this life, they seem to be of no service even to the part you call spiritual; and yet you recur on every opportunity to these arts, for no other purpose, so far as I see, than to appear an accomplished theurgist, and gratify those who are curious in illicit arts, or else to inspire others with the same curiosity. But we give you all praise for saying that this art is to be feared, both on account of the legal enactments against it, and by reason of the danger involved in the very practice of it. And would that in this, at least, you were listened to by its wretched votaries, that they might be withdrawn from entire absorption in it, or might even be preserved from tampering with it at all! You say, indeed, that ignorance, and the numberless vices resulting from it, cannot be removed by any mysteries, but only by the , that is, the Father's mind or intellect conscious of the Father's will. But that Christ is this mind you do not believe; for Him you despise on account of the body He took of a woman and the shame of the cross; for your lofty wisdom spurns such low and contemptible things, and soars to more exalted regions. But He fulfils what the holy prophets truly predicted regarding Him: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nought the prudence of the prudent."[Pg 423][424] For He does not destroy and bring to nought His own gift in them, but what they arrogate to themselves, and do not hold of Him. And hence the apostle, having quoted this testimony from the prophet, adds, "Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men."[425] This is despised as a weak and foolish thing by those who are wise and strong in themselves; yet this is the grace which heals the weak, who do not proudly boast a blessedness of their own, but rather humbly acknowledge their real misery.
29. Of the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, which the Platonists in their impiety blush to acknowledge.
BOOK XVIII. - A parallel history of the earthly and heavenly cities from the time of Abraham to the end of the world, #City of God, #Saint Augustine of Hippo, #Christianity
But not long after, one Alcimus, although an alien from the sacerdotal tribe, was, through ambition, made pontiff, which was an impious thing. After almost fifty years, during which they never had peace, although they prospered in some affairs, Aristobulus first assumed the diadem among them, and was made both king and pontiff. Before that, indeed, from the time of their return from the Babylonish captivity and the rebuilding of the temple, they had not kings, but generals or principes. Although a king himself may be called a prince, from his principality in governing, and a leader, because he leads the army, but it does not follow that all who are princes and leaders may also be called kings, as that Aristobulus was. He was succeeded by Alexander, also both king and pontiff, who is reported to have reigned over them cruelly. After him his wife Alexandra was queen of the Jews, and from her time downwards more grievous evils pursued them; for this Alexandra's sons, Aristobulus and Hyrcanus, when contending with each other for the kingdom, called in the Roman forces against the nation of Israel. For Hyrcanus asked assistance from them against his brother. At that time Rome had already subdued Africa and Greece, and ruled extensively in other parts of the world also, and yet, as if unable to bear her own weight, had, in a manner, broken herself by her own size. For indeed she had come to grave domestic seditions, and from that to social wars, and by and by to civil wars, and had enfeebled and worn herself out so much, that the changed state of the republic, in which she should be governed by kings, was now imminent. Pompey then, a most illustrious prince of the Roman people, having entered Judea with an army, took the city, threw open the temple, not with the devotion of a suppliant, but with the authority of a conqueror, and went, not reverently, but profanely, into the holy of holies, where it was lawful for none but the pontiff to enter. Having established Hyrcanus in the pontificate, and set Antipater over the subjugated nation as[Pg 277] guardian or procurator, as they were then called, he led Aristobulus with him bound. From that time the Jews also began to be Roman tri butaries. Afterward Cassius plundered the very temple. Then after a few years it was their desert to have Herod, a king of foreign birth, in whose reign Christ was born. For the time had now come signified by the prophetic Spirit through the mouth of the patriarch Jacob, when he says, "There shall not be lacking a prince out of Judah, nor a teacher from his loins, until He shall come for whom it is reserved; and He is the expectation of the nations."[583] There lacked not therefore a Jewish prince of the Jews until that Herod, who was the first king of a foreign race received by them. Therefore it was now the time when He should come for whom that was reserved which is promised in the New Testament, that He should be the expectation of the nations. But it was not possible that the nations should expect He would come, as we see they did, to do judgment in the splendour of power, unless they should first believe in Him when He came to suffer judgment in the Humility of patience.
46. Of the birth of our Saviour, whereby the Word was made flesh; and of the dispersion of the Jews among all nations, as had been prophesied.
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In this wicked world, in these evil days, when the Church measures her future loftiness by her present Humility, and is exercised by goading fears, tormenting sorrows, disquieting labours, and dangerous temptations, when she soberly rejoices, rejoicing only in hope, there are many reprobate mingled with the good, and both are gathered together by the gospel as in[Pg 282] a drag net;[596] and in this world, as in a sea, both swim enclosed without distinction in the net, until it is brought ashore, when the wicked must be separated from the good, that in the good, as in His temple, God may be all in all. We acknowledge, indeed, that His word is now fulfilled who spake in the psalm, and said, "I have announced and spoken; they are multiplied above number."[597] This takes place now, since He has spoken, first by the mouth of his forerunner John, and afterward by His own mouth, saying, "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."[598] He chose disciples, whom He also called apostles,[599] of lowly birth, unhonoured, and illiterate, so that whatever great thing they might be or do, He might be and do it in them. He had one among them whose wickedness He could use well in order to accomplish His appointed passion, and furnish His Church an example of bearing with the wicked. Having sown the holy gospel as much as that behoved to be done by His bodily presence, He suffered, died, and rose again, showing by His passion what we ought to suffer for the truth, and by His resurrection what we ought to hope for in adversity; saving always the mystery of the sacrament, by which His blood was shed for the remission of sins. He held converse on the earth forty days with His disciples, and in their sight ascended into heaven, and after ten days sent the promised Holy Spirit. It was given as the chief and most necessary sign of His coming on those who had believed, that every one of them spoke in the tongues of all nations; thus signifying that the unity of the catholic Church would embrace all nations, and would in like manner speak in all tongues.
50. Of the preaching of the gospel, which is made more famous and powerful by the sufferings of its preachers.
BOOK XVII. - The history of the city of God from the times of the prophets to Christ, #City of God, #Saint Augustine of Hippo, #Christianity
David therefore reigned in the earthly Jerusalem, a son of the heavenly Jerusalem, much praised by the divine testimony; for even his faults are overcome by great piety, through the most salutary Humility of his repentance, that he is altogether one of those of whom he himself says, "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered."[475] After him Solomon his son reigned over the same whole people, who, as was said before, began to reign while his father was still alive. This man, after good beginnings, made a bad end. For indeed "prosperity, which wears out the minds of the wise,"[476] hurt him more than that wisdom profited him, which even yet is and shall hereafter be renowned, and was then praised far and wide. He also is found to have prophesied in his books, of which three are received as of canonical authority, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs. But it has been customary to ascribe to Solomon other two, of which one is called Wisdom, the other Ecclesiasticus, on account of some resemblance of style,but the more learned have no doubt that they are not his; yet of old the Church, especially the Western, received them into authority,in the one of which, called the Wisdom of Solomon, the passion of Christ is most openly prophesied. For indeed His impious murderers are quoted as saying, "Let us lie in wait for the righteous, for he is unpleasant to us, and contrary to our works; and he upbraideth us with our transgressions of the law, and objecteth to our disgrace the transgressions of our education. He professeth to have the knowledge of God, and he calleth himself the Son of God. He was made to reprove our thoughts. He is grievous for us even to behold; for his[Pg 210] life is unlike other men's, and his ways are different. We are esteemed of him as counterfeits; and he abstaineth from our ways as from filthiness. He extols the latter end of the righteous; and glorieth that he hath God for his Father. Let us see, therefore, if his words be true; and let us try what shall happen to him, and we shall know what shall be the end of him. For if the righteous be the Son of God, He will undertake for him, and deliver him out of the hand of those that are against him. Let us put him to the question with contumely and torture, that we may know his reverence, and prove his patience. Let us condemn him to the most shameful death; for by His own sayings He shall be respected. These things did they imagine, and were mistaken; for their own malice hath quite blinded them."[477] But in Ecclesiasticus the future faith of the nations is predicted in this manner: "Have mercy upon us, O God, Ruler of all, and send Thy fear upon all the nations: lift up Thine hand over the strange nations, and let them see Thy power. As Thou wast sanctified in us before them, so be Thou sanctified in them before us, and let them acknowledge Thee, according as we also have acknowledged Thee; for there is not a God beside Thee, O Lord."[478] We see this prophecy in the form of a wish and prayer fulfilled through Jesus Christ. But the things which are not written in the canon of the Jews cannot be quoted against their contradictions with so great validity.
But as regards those three books which it is evident are Solomon's, and held canonical by the Jews, to show what of this kind may be found in them pertaining to Christ and the Church demands a laborious discussion, which, if now entered on, would leng then this work unduly. Yet what we read in the Proverbs of impious men saying, "Let us unrighteously hide in the earth the righteous man; yea, let us swallow him up alive as hell, and let us take away his memory from the earth: let us seize his precious possession,"[479] is not so obscure that it may not be understood, without laborious exposition, of Christ and His possession the Church. Indeed, the gospel parable about the wicked husbandmen shows that our Lord Jesus Himself said something like it: "This is the heir; come,[Pg 211] let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours."[480] In like manner also that passage in this same book, on which we have already touched[481] when we were speaking of the barren woman who hath born seven, must soon after it was uttered have come to be understood of only Christ and the Church by those who knew that Christ was the Wisdom of God. "Wisdom hath builded her an house, and hath set up seven pillars; she hath sacrificed her victims, she hath mingled her wine in the bowl; she hath also furnished her table. She hath sent her servants summoning to the bowl with excellent proclamation, saying, Who is simple, let him turn aside to me. And to the void of sense she hath said, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled for you."[482] Here certainly we perceive that the Wisdom of God, that is, the Word co-eternal with the Father, hath builded Him an house, even a human body in the virgin womb, and hath subjoined the Church to it as members to a head, hath slain the martyrs as victims, hath furnished a table with wine and bread, where appears also the priesthood after the order of Melchizedek, and hath called the simple and the void of sense, because, as saith the apostle, "He hath chosen the weak things of this world that He might confound the things which are mighty."[483] Yet to these weak ones she saith what follows, "Forsake simplicity, that ye may live; and seek prudence, that ye may have life."[484] But to be made partakers of this table is itself to begin to have life. For when he says in another book, which is called Ecclesiastes, "There is no good for a man, except that he should eat and drink,"[485] what can he be more credibly understood to say, than what belongs to the participation of this table which the Mediator of the New Testament Himself, the Priest after the order of Melchizedek, furnishes with His own body and blood? For that sacrifice has succeeded all the sacrifices of the Old Testament, which were slain as a shadow of that which was to come; wherefore also we recognise the voice in the 40th Psalm as that of the same Mediator speaking through prophesy, "Sacrifice and offering[Pg 212] Thou didst not desire; but a body hast Thou perfected for me."[486] Because, instead of all these sacrifices and oblations, His body is offered, and is served up to the partakers of it. For that this Ecclesiastes, in this sentence about eating and drinking, which he often repeats, and very much commends, does not savour the dainties of carnal pleasures, is made plain enough when he says, "It is better to go into the house of mourning than to go into the house of feasting."[487] And a little after He says, "The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, and the heart of the simple in the house of feasting."[488] But I think that more worthy of quotation from this book which relates to both cities, the one of the devil, the other of Christ, and to their kings, the devil and Christ: "Woe to thee, O land," he says, "when thy king is a youth, and thy princes eat in the morning! Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in season, in fortitude, and not in confusion!"[489] He has called the devil a youth, because of the folly and pride, and rashness and unruliness, and other vices which are wont to abound at that age; but Christ is the Son of nobles, that is, of the holy patriarchs, of those belonging to the free city, of whom He was begotten in the flesh. The princes of that and other cities are eaters in the morning, that is, before the suitable hour, because they do not expect the seasonable felicity, which is the true, in the world to come, desiring to be speedily made happy with the renown of this world, but the princes of the city of Christ patiently wait for the time of a blessedness that is not fallacious. This is expressed by the words, "in fortitude, and not in confusion," because hope does not deceive them, of which the apostle says, "But hope maketh not ashamed."[490] A psalm also saith, "For they that hope in Thee shall not be put to shame."[491] But now the Song of Songs is a certain spiritual pleasure of holy minds, in the marriage of that King and Queen-city, that is, Christ and the Church. But this pleasure is wrapped up in allegorical veils, that the Bridegroom may be more ardently desired, and more joyfully unveiled, and may appear; to whom it is said in this same song, "Equity hath delighted Thee;"[Pg 213][492] and the bride who those hears, "Charity is in thy delights."[493] We pass over many things in silence, in our desire to finish this work.
BOOK XVI. - The history of the city of God from Noah to the time of the kings of Israel, #City of God, #Saint Augustine of Hippo, #Christianity
But though these nations are said to have been dispersed according to their languages, yet the narrator recurs to that time when all had but one language, and explains how it came to pass that a diversity of languages was introduced. "The whole earth," he says, "was of one lip, and all had one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and dwelt there. And they said one to another, Come, and let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly. And they had bricks for stone, and slime for mortar. And they said, Come, and let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top shall reach the sky; and let us make us a name, before we be scattered abroad on the face of all the earth. And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children, of men builded. And the Lord God said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Come, and let us go down, and confound there their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. And God scattered them thence on the[Pg 112] face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city and the tower. Therefore the name of it is called Confusion; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and the Lord God scattered them thence on the face of all the earth."[236] This city, which was called Confusion, is the same as Babylon, whose wonderful construction Gentile history also notices. For Babylon means Confusion. Whence we conclude that the giant Nimrod was its founder, as had been hinted a little before, where Scripture, in speaking of him, says that the beginning of his kingdom was Babylon, that is, Babylon had a supremacy over the other cities as the metropolis and royal residence; although it did not rise to the grand dimensions designed by its proud and impious founder. The plan was to make it so high that it should reach the sky, whether this was meant of one tower which they intended to build higher than the others, or of all the towers, which might be signified by the singular number, as we speak of "the soldier," meaning the army, and of the frog or the locust, when we refer to the whole multitude of frogs and locusts in the plagues with which Moses smote the Egyptians.[237] But what did these vain and presumptuous men intend? How did they expect to raise this lofty mass against God, when they had built it above all the mountains and the clouds of the earth's atmosphere? What injury could any spiritual or material elevation do to God? The safe and true way to heaven is made by Humility, which lifts up the heart to the Lord, not against Him; as this giant is said to have been a "hunter against the Lord." This has been misunderstood by some through the ambiguity of the Greek word, and they have translated it, not "against the Lord," but "before the Lord;" for means both "before" and "against." In the Psalm this word is rendered, "Let us weep before the Lord our Maker."[238] The same word occurs in the book of Job, where it is written, "Thou hast broken into fury against the Lord."[239] And so this giant is to be recognised as a "hunter against the Lord." And what is meant by the term "hunter" but deceiver, oppressor, and destroyer of the animals of the[Pg 113] earth? He and his people, therefore, erected this tower against the Lord, and so gave expression to their impious pride; and justly was their wicked intention punished by God, even though it was unsuccessful. But what was the nature of the punishment? As the tongue is the instrument of domination, in it pride was punished; so that man, who would not understand God when He issued His commands, should be misunderstood when he himself gave orders. Thus was that conspiracy disbanded, for each man retired from those he could not understand, and associated with those whose speech was intelligible; and the nations were divided according to their languages, and scattered over the earth as seemed good to God, who accomplished this in ways hidden from and incomprehensible to us.
5. Of God's coming down to confound the languages of the builders of the city.
BS 1 - Introduction to the Idea of God, #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
Understanding that teaches you Humility, and that theres a hell of a lot more going on behind the scenes. Youre the driver of a very complex vehicle, but you dont understand the vehicle very well, and its got its own motivations and methods. Sometimes you think its doing something, and its doing something completely different. You see that in psycho therapy all the time, because you help someone unwind a pattern of behaviour that theyve manifested forever. First of all, they describe it and they become aware of it, then, maybe, they start to see what the cause is. They have no idea why they were acting like that. They have to have the memory that produced the behavioural pattern to begin with. It has to be brought back to mind, then it has to be analyzed and assessed, and then they have to think of a different way of acting. Its extraordinarily complex.
LiteraryWell, theres this postmodern idea about literature and about the world, for that matter that, if you take a complex piece of literature like a Shakespeare play, theres no end to the number of interpretations that you can make of it. You can interpret each word, each phrase, each sentence, each paragraph. You can interpret the entire play. The way you interpret it depends on how many other books you've read, and it depends on your orientation in the world. It depends on a very, very large number of thingshow cultured you are, or how much culture you lack. All of those things. It opens up a huge vista for potential interpretation. The postmodernists sort of stubbed their toe on that, and thought, well, if theres this vast number of interpretations of any particular literary work, how can you be sure that any interpretation is any more valid than any other interpretation? And if you can't be sure, then how do you even know those are great works? How do you know they're not just works that people in power have used to facilitate their continual accession of power? Which is really a postmodern idea, and a very, very cynical one. It has its point, but the thing is grounded in something real.
Chapter III - WHEREIN IS RELATED THE DROLL WAY IN WHICH DON QUIXOTE HAD HIMSELF DUBBED A KNIGHT, #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
arm. She answered with great Humility that she was called La Tolosa, and that she was the daughter of a
cobbler of Toledo who lived in the stalls of Sanchobienaya, and that wherever she might be she would serve
Conversations with Sri Aurobindo, #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
If there is a little pride in us quite unconscious, even hidden under Humility it makes us exaggerate to ourselves our personal importance and we believe ourselves called to something special. So she writes this book, takes disciples, etc. It is a common trap.
Let us hope that the doubt she shows in her letter will help her to shake off the illusion.
COSA - BOOK I, #The Confessions of Saint Augustine, #Saint Augustine of Hippo, #Christianity
As a boy, then, I had already heard of an eternal life, promised us through the Humility of the Lord our God stooping to our pride; and even from the womb of my mother, who greatly hoped in Thee, I was sealed with the mark of His cross and salted with His salt. Thou sawest, Lord, how while yet a boy, being seized on a time with sudden oppression of the stomach, and like near to death--Thou sawest, my God (for Thou wert my keeper), with what eagerness and what faith I sought, from the pious care of my mother and Thy Church, the mother of us all, the baptism of
Thy Christ, my God and Lord. Whereupon the mother of my flesh, being much troubled (since, with a heart pure in Thy faith, she even more lovingly travailed in birth of my salvation), would in eager haste have provided for my consecration and cleansing by the health-giving sacraments, confessing Thee, Lord Jesus, for the remission of sins, unless I had suddenly recovered. And so, as if I must needs be again polluted should I live, my cleansing was deferred, because the defilements of sin would, after that washing, bring greater and more perilous guilt. I then already believed: and my mother, and the whole household, except my father: yet did not he prevail over the power of my mother's piety in me, that as he did not yet believe, so neither should I. For it was her earnest care that Thou my God, rather than he, shouldest be my father; and in this Thou didst aid her to prevail over her husband, whom she, the better, obeyed, therein also obeying Thee, who hast so commanded.
COSA - BOOK IX, #The Confessions of Saint Augustine, #Saint Augustine of Hippo, #Christianity
me born again in Thee, being already clothed with the Humility befitting
Thy Sacraments; and a most valiant tamer of the body, so as, with
COSA - BOOK VII, #The Confessions of Saint Augustine, #Saint Augustine of Hippo, #Christianity
hadst traced out to men the way of Humility, in that Thy Word was made
flesh, and dwelt among men:--Thou procuredst for me, by means of one
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where was that charity building upon the foundation of Humility, which
is Christ Jesus? or when should these books teach me it? Upon these, I
COSA - BOOK VIII, #The Confessions of Saint Augustine, #Saint Augustine of Hippo, #Christianity
belief in God and His Word. Then to exhort me to the Humility of
Christ, hidden from the wise, and revealed to little ones, he spoke of
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submitting his neck to the yoke of Humility, and subduing his forehead
to the reproach of the Cross.
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of the Humility of Thy Word, and not being ashamed of the sacrilegious
rites of those proud daemons, whose pride he had imitated and their
COSA - BOOK X, #The Confessions of Saint Augustine, #Saint Augustine of Hippo, #Christianity
same Humility, that Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus,
appeared betwixt mortal sinners and the immortal just One; mortal with
COSA - BOOK XII, #The Confessions of Saint Augustine, #Saint Augustine of Hippo, #Christianity
And yet I, O my God, Thou lifter up of my Humility, and rest of my
labour, Who hearest my confessions, and forgivest my sins: seeing Thou
Diamond Sutra 1, #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
Bowl: The bowl, or patra, was called the vessel of Humility, and the Vinaya, or rules of the Buddhist order, established limits as to its size, material, and color. In the Buddhas day, most bowls were made of iron in order to withstand being banged about during the constant wandering of the monks. However, bowls of clay and stone were also used, and the Buddhas own bowl was made of purple stone. It was said to have been the bowl used by Vipashyin, the first buddha of the present kalpa, and was given to Shakyamuni by the Guardians of the Four Quarters following his
Enlightenment.
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Begging for food in the city: It was the Buddhas custom to go from one door to the next and not to visit more than seven households on any given day. Nor did he pass up the doors of the poor and lowly in order to receive food from the wealthy and noble. For the Buddhas compassion was evenhanded and free from bias. In his final Testament Sutra, the Buddha said, You monks should cultivate with diligence. Renounce fashion and beauty, put on the faded robe, take up the vessel of Humility, and support yourselves by begging. And when you do so, should feelings of pride arise, get rid of them at once. To become inflated by pride is unfitting for white-robed worldly people. How much more so for those who have left home and set forth on the Path. For the sake of liberation, humble yourselves and practice begging.
Chiang Wei-nung says, The purpose of begging is to conquer egotism and arrogance, to overcome attachment to flavor and taste, to concentrate the mind on cultivating the Way, and to cause others to be embarrassed. A monk leaves home to liberate others. But to liberate others, he must first put an end to their delusions. And to put an end to their delusions, he must practice austerities so that those who see him think to themselves, Here is someone who takes on hardships to liberate others. How can I continue indulging in food and comfort? And as thoughts of the Way increase, worldly thoughts decrease. Thus does begging greatly benefit others.
DS3, #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
of harm, joy instead of jealousy, equanimity instead of prejudice, Humility instead of arrogance,
sincerity instead of deceit, compromise instead of stubbornness, assistance instead of avoidance,
Guru Granth Sahib first part, #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
Listening and believing with love and Humility in your mind,
cleanse yourself with the Name, at the sacred shrine deep within.
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Make contentment your ear-rings, Humility your begging bowl, and meditation the ashes you apply to your body.
Let the remembrance of death be the patched coat you wear, let the purity of virginity be your way in the world, and let faith in the Lord be your walking stick.
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In the realm of Humility, the Word is Beauty.
Forms of incomparable beauty are fashioned there.
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In deep Humility, I fall at the Feet of the Perfect True Guru.
The Guru is the Honor of the dishonored. The Guru, the True Guru, brings approval and applause.
Liber 71 - The Voice of the Silence - The Two Paths - The Seven Portals, #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
By Humility is meant the Humility of the scientific man.
59. Be humbler still, when Wisdom thou hast mastered.
Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna (text), #Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna, #Sri Ramakrishna, #Hinduism
on spiritual matters in all Humility, and left each person to understand and accept according to his
capacity. He never forced his views on anyone. Those of his disciples who were critically-minded were
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are made of its hide produce the same sound of 'Ham', 'I'. The creature does not learn Humility until the
cotton-carder makes bow-strings out of its entrails; for it is then that the animal's intestines sing out
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416. Many a man with a show of Humility says, "I am like an earth-worm groveling in the dust." In this
way, thinking themselves always to be worms, in time men become weak in spirit like worms. Let not
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418. No pride is pride that expresses the glory of the soul, No Humility is Humility that humiliates the
self.
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aspects. There is one type of Bhakti that partakes of the Humility of Sattva, another that is characterised
by the ostentation of Rajas, and a third that is marked by the brute force of Tamas.
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pulpy when it gets Siddha, so a man, when he becomes a Siddha1, is seen to be all Humility and
tenderness.
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reverence and Humility. He held in his hand something covered with a cloth. The master enquired,
"What is there in your hand?" The servant brought out a small custard-apple from the cloth and kept it
--
1085. A man went to a Sadhu and said with a great show of Humility, "Sir, I am a very low person. Tell
me, O Master, how I am to be saved." The Sadhu, reading the heart of the man, told him, "Well, go and
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degradation may I not be thrown into if you touch me again?" The man was thus taught true Humility
and became the humblest of the humble. As a result he attained the highest perfection.
Symposium translated by B Jowett, #Symposium, #Plato, #Philosophy
Aristophanes professed to open another vein of discourse; he had a mind to praise Love in another way, unlike that either of Pausanias or Eryximachus. Mankind, he said, judging by their neglect of him, have never, as I think, at all understood the power of Love. For if they had understood him they would surely have built noble temples and altars, and offered solemn sacrifices in his honour; but this is not done, and most certainly ought to be done: since of all the gods he is the best friend of men, the helper and the healer of the ills which are the great impediment to the happiness of the race. I will try to describe his power to you, and you shall teach the rest of the world what I am teaching you. In the first place, let me treat of the nature of man and what has happened to it; for the original human nature was not like the present, but different. The sexes were not two as they are now, but originally three in number; there was man, woman, and the union of the two, having a name corresponding to this double nature, which had once a real existence, but is now lost, and the word 'Androgynous' is only preserved as a term of reproach. In the second place, the primeval man was round, his back and sides forming a circle; and he had four hands and four feet, one head with two faces, looking opposite ways, set on a round neck and precisely alike; also four ears, two privy members, and the remainder to correspond. He could walk upright as men now do, backwards or forwards as he pleased, and he could also roll over and over at a great pace, turning on his four hands and four feet, eight in all, like tumblers going over and over with their legs in the air; this was when he wanted to run fast. Now the sexes were three, and such as I have described them; because the sun, moon, and earth are three; and the man was originally the child of the sun, the woman of the earth, and the man-woman of the moon, which is made up of sun and earth, and they were all round and moved round and round like their parents. Terrible was their might and strength, and the thoughts of their hearts were great, and they made an attack upon the gods; of them is told the tale of Otys and Ephialtes who, as Homer says, dared to scale heaven, and would have laid hands upon the gods. Doubt reigned in the celestial councils. Should they kill them and annihilate the race with thunderbolts, as they had done the giants, then there would be an end of the sacrifices and worship which men offered to them; but, on the other hand, the gods could not suffer their insolence to be unrestrained. At last, after a good deal of reflection, Zeus discovered a way. He said: 'Methinks I have a plan which will humble their pride and improve their manners; men shall continue to exist, but I will cut them in two and then they will be diminished in strength and increased in numbers; this will have the advantage of making them more profitable to us. They shall walk upright on two legs, and if they continue insolent and will not be quiet, I will split them again and they shall hop about on a single leg.' He spoke and cut men in two, like a sorb-apple which is halved for pickling, or as you might divide an egg with a hair; and as he cut them one after another, he bade Apollo give the face and the half of the neck a turn in order that the man might contemplate the section of himself: he would thus learn a lesson of Humility. Apollo was also bidden to heal their wounds and compose their forms. So he gave a turn to the face and pulled the skin from the sides all over that which in our language is called the belly, like the purses which draw in, and he made one mouth at the centre, which he fastened in a knot (the same which is called the navel); he also moulded the breast and took out most of the wrinkles, much as a shoemaker might smooth leather upon a last; he left a few, however, in the region of the belly and navel, as a memorial of the primeval state. After the division the two parts of man, each desiring his other half, came together, and throwing their arms about one another, entwined in mutual embraces, longing to grow into one, they were on the point of dying from hunger and self-neglect, because they did not like to do anything apart; and when one of the halves died and the other survived, the survivor sought another mate, man or woman as we call them,being the sections of entire men or women,and clung to that. They were being destroyed, when Zeus in pity of them invented a new plan: he turned the parts of generation round to the front, for this had not been always their position, and they sowed the seed no longer as hitherto like grasshoppers in the ground, but in one another; and after the transposition the male generated in the female in order that by the mutual embraces of man and woman they might breed, and the race might continue; or if man came to man they might be satisfied, and rest, and go their ways to the business of life: so ancient is the desire of one another which is implanted in us, reuniting our original nature, making one of two, and healing the state of man. Each of us when separated, having one side only, like a flat fish, is but the indenture of a man, and he is always looking for his other half. Men who are a section of that double nature which was once called Androgynous are lovers of women; adulterers are generally of this breed, and also adulterous women who lust after men: the women who are a section of the woman do not care for men, but have female attachments; the female companions are of this sort. But they who are a section of the male follow the male, and while they are young, being slices of the original man, they hang about men and embrace them, and they are themselves the best of boys and youths, because they have the most manly nature. Some indeed assert that they are shameless, but this is not true; for they do not act thus from any want of shame, but because they are valiant and manly, and have a manly countenance, and they embrace that which is like them. And these when they grow up become our statesmen, and these only, which is a great proof of the truth of what I am saving. When they reach manhood they are lovers of youth, and are not naturally inclined to marry or beget children,if at all, they do so only in obedience to the law; but they are satisfied if they may be allowed to live with one another unwedded; and such a nature is prone to love and ready to return love, always embracing that which is akin to him. And when one of them meets with his other half, the actual half of himself, whether he be a lover of youth or a lover of another sort, the pair are lost in an amazement of love and friendship and intimacy, and one will not be out of the other's sight, as I may say, even for a moment: these are the people who pass their whole lives together; yet they could not explain what they desire of one another. For the intense yearning which each of them has towards the other does not appear to be the desire of lover's intercourse, but of something else which the soul of either evidently desires and cannot tell, and of which she has only a dark and doubtful presentiment. Suppose Hephaestus, with his instruments, to come to the pair who are lying side by side and to say to them, 'What do you people want of one another?' they would be unable to explain. And suppose further, that when he saw their perplexity he said: 'Do you desire to be wholly one; always day and night to be in one another's company? for if this is what you desire, I am ready to melt you into one and let you grow together, so that being two you shall become one, and while you live live a common life as if you were a single man, and after your death in the world below still be one departed soul instead of twoI ask whether this is what you lovingly desire, and whether you are satisfied to attain this?'there is not a man of them who when he heard the proposal would deny or would not acknowledge that this meeting and melting into one another, this becoming one instead of two, was the very expression of his ancient need (compare Arist. Pol.). And the reason is that human nature was originally one and we were a whole, and the desire and pursuit of the whole is called love. There was a time, I say, when we were one, but now because of the wickedness of mankind God has dispersed us, as the Arcadians were dispersed into villages by the Lacedaemonians (compare Arist. Pol.). And if we are not obedient to the gods, there is a danger that we shall be split up again and go about in basso-relievo, like the profile figures having only half a nose which are sculptured on monuments, and that we shall be like tallies. Wherefore let us exhort all men to piety, that we may avoid evil, and obtain the good, of which Love is to us the lord and minister; and let no one oppose himhe is the enemy of the gods who opposes him. For if we are friends of the God and at peace with him we shall find our own true loves, which rarely happens in this world at present. I am serious, and therefore I must beg Eryximachus not to make fun or to find any allusion in what I am saying to Pausanias and Agathon, who, as I suspect, are both of the manly nature, and belong to the class which I have been describing. But my words have a wider applicationthey include men and women everywhere; and I believe that if our loves were perfectly accomplished, and each one returning to his primeval nature had his original true love, then our race would be happy. And if this would be best of all, the best in the next degree and under present circumstances must be the nearest approach to such an union; and that will be the attainment of a congenial love. Wherefore, if we would praise him who has given to us the benefit, we must praise the god Love, who is our greatest benefactor, both leading us in this life back to our own nature, and giving us high hopes for the future, for he promises that if we are pious, he will restore us to our original state, and heal us and make us happy and blessed. This, Eryximachus, is my discourse of love, which, although different to yours, I must beg you to leave unassailed by the shafts of your ridicule, in order that each may have his turn; each, or rather either, for Agathon and Socrates are the only ones left.
Indeed, I am not going to attack you, said Eryximachus, for I thought your speech charming, and did I not know that Agathon and Socrates are masters in the art of love, I should be really afraid that they would have nothing to say, after the world of things which have been said already. But, for all that, I am not without hopes.
Tablets of Baha u llah text, #Tablets of Baha u llah, #Baha u llah, #Baha i
of the Most Exalted Paradise is this: O son of man! If thine eyes be turned towards mercy, forsake the things that profit thee and cleave unto that which will profit mankind. And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself. Humility exalteth man to the heaven of glory and power, whilst pride abaseth him to the depths of wretchedness and degradation. ["O son of man!..."] Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 30; The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, vol. 4 p. 196
O people of God! Great is the Day and mighty the Call! In one of Our Tablets We have revealed these exalted words: 'Were the world of the spirit to be wholly converted into the sense of hearing, it could then claim to be worthy to hearken unto the Voice that calleth from the Supreme Horizon; for otherwise, these ears that are defiled with lying tales have never been, nor are they now, fit to hear it.' Well is it with them that hearken; and woe betide the wayward.
--
This man hath said: 'I am Balínús, the wise one, the performer of wonders, the producer of talismans.' He surpassed everyone else in the diffusion of arts and sciences and soared unto the loftiest heights of Humility and supplication. Give ear unto that which he hath said, entreating the All-Possessing, the Most Exalted: 'I stand in the presence of my Lord, extolling His gifts and bounties and praising Him with that wherewith He praiseth His Own Self, that I may become a source of blessing and guidance unto such men as acknowledge my words.' And further he saith: 'O Lord! Thou art God and no God is there but Thee. Thou art the Creator and no creator is there except Thee. Assist me by Thy grace and strengthen me. My heart is seized with alarm, my limbs tremble, I have lost my reason and my mind hath failed me. Bestow upon me strength and enable my tongue to speak forth with wisdom.' And still further he saith: 'Thou art in truth the Knowing, the Wise, the Powerful, the Compassionate.' It was this man of wisdom who became informed of the mysteries of creation and discerned the subtleties which lie enshrined in the Hermetic writings. 1 1. In one of His Tablets Bahá'u'lláh wrote: 'The first person who devoted himself to philosophy was Idrís. Thus was he named. Some called him also Hermes. In every tongue he hath a special name. He it is who hath set forth in every branch of philosophy thorough and convincing statements. After him Balínús derived his knowledge and sciences from the Hermetic Tablets and most of the philosophers who followed him made their philosophical and scientific discoveries from his words and statements...'. In the Qur'án, Súra 19, verses 57 and 58, is written: 'And commemorate Idrís in the Book; for he was a man of truth, a Prophet; And we uplifted him to a place on high.'
148
--
This glorious Tablet hath been revealed on the Anniversary of the Birth [of the Báb] that thou mayest recite it in a spirit of Humility and supplication and give thanks unto thy Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Make thou every effort to render service unto God, that from thee may appear that which will immortalize thy memory in His glorious and exalted heaven.
Say: Glorified art Thou, O my God! I implore Thee by the Dawning-Place of Thy signs and by the Revealer of Thy clear tokens to grant that I may, under all conditions, hold fast the cord of Thy loving providence and cling tenaciously to the hem of Thy generosity. Reckon me then with those whom the changes and chances of the world have failed to deter from serving Thee and from bearing allegiance unto Thee, whom the onslaught of the people hath been powerless to hinder from magnifying Thy Name and celebrating Thy praise. Graciously assist me, O my Lord, to do whatever Thou lovest and desirest. Enable me then to fulfill that which will exalt Thy Name and will set ablaze the fire of Thy love.
Talks 600-652, #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
When someone teaches Humility to the seeker, he will reach the way and not till then.
The chanting of the Vedas began.
Talks With Sri Aurobindo 1, #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
and realisation of Humility in the heart? Isn't it possible to get rid of egoism
by the second method too?
--
nature retains ego, especially the vital ego. When the psychic attitude of Humility comes in and joins with it, it helps in getting rid of the vital ego.
The complete abolition of ego is not an easy thing. Even when you think
--
By Humility it is not outward Humility that is meant. There are many
people who profess and show the utmost outward Humility, as if they were
nothing, but in their hearts they think, "I am the man" People are mostly impressed and guided by outward conduct.
The Act of Creation text, #The Act of Creation, #Arthur Koestler, #Psychology
pinnacle of their intellectual Humility upon the rest of dogmatic
mankind might suspend judgement in this matter until Miller's
--
plus arrogance minus Humility. There seems to be not a trace here of
mysticism, of 'oceanic feeling'; in contrast to Copernicus, Tycho, and
--
the point where hubris yields to Humility; in his best and happiest
moments, Galileo achieves not only this transition, but is also trans-
--
Hubris is temporarily submerged by Humility. Galileo was the first
of a race of modern experimental scientists convinced of the infalli-
--
Here is Humility and wonder, and a sense of participation which
transcends not only the individual self but the collective pride of
--
fice, charity, Humility, romanticism, and religion, to make a happy
balance of opposites. At the height of his fame, Pasteur related with
The Book of Certitude - P2, #The Book of Certitude, #Baha u llah, #Baha i
And as to this man's attainments, his ignorance, understanding and belief, behold what the Book which embraceth all things hath revealed; "Verily, the tree of Zaqqúm 1 shall be the food of the Athím 2." And then follow certain verses, until He saith: "Taste this, for thou forsooth art the mighty Karím!" 3 Consider how clearly and explicitly he hath been described in God's incorruptible Book! This man, moreover, feigning Humility, hath in his own book referred to himself as the "athím servant": "Athím" in the Book of God, mighty among the common herd, "Karím" in name! 1. Infernal tree.
2. Sinner or sinful. Qur'án 44:43-44.
The Dwellings of the Philosophers, #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
A humble house, in truth, but which betrays its builders concern for Humility, that the
fortunate beneficiaries of the hermetic treasure vowed to abide by throughout their entire life.
--
philosophers, and Humility the gate to their garden", could not very well follow the example
or lead the life of the powerful without failing his convictions. Very likely, at the age of 70,
The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians, #The Bible, #Anonymous, #Various
Plea for Unity and Humility
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any hearts and mercies, 2 fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
the Eternal Wisdom, #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
5) Many say with an appearance of Humility, "I am even as an earthworm crawling in the dust..."; so always believing themselves to be earthworms, they become in time feeble as the worm. Let not discouragement enter into thy heart; despair is for all the great enemy of our progress. What a man thinks himself to be, that he in fact becomes. ~ Ramakrishna
6) In India the healers by faith comm and their sick to repeat with absolute conviction the words, "There is no malady in me, Sickness is not." The sick man repeats and, so mentally denied, his malady disappears. Thus if you believe yourself to be mortally weak, you find yourself actually in that condition. Know and believe that you can have an immense power, and the power will come to you in the end. ~ Ramakrishna
--
3) Pride goeth before destruction, but before honour is Humility. ~ Proverbs XVI. 18: XVII. 12
4) Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. ~ Luke XIV. 11
5) If you give to a man all riches and all might and he looks upon himself with the same Humility as before, then that man far surpasses other human beings. ~ Meng-tse
6) All the splendour of outward greatness has no lustre for men who are in search of the Spirit. The greatness of men of the Spirit is obnoxious to the rich, the kings, the conquerors and all the men of the flesh. ~ Pascal: Penses
The First Epistle of Peter, #The Bible, #Anonymous, #Various
5 In like manner, ye young men, be subject to the ancients. And do you all insinuate Humility one to another, for God resisteth the proud, but to the humble he giveth grace. 6 Be you humbled therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in the time of visitation: 7 Casting all your care upon him, for he hath care of you. 8 Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour. 9 Whom resist ye, strong in faith: knowing that the same affliction befalls your brethren who are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, will himself perfect you, and confirm you, and establish you. 11 To him be glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.
Conclusion
The Pilgrims Progress, #unset, #Arthur C Clarke, #Fiction
CHR. He told me, indeed, that he saw you go by, but I wish you had called at the house, for they would have showed you so many rarities, that you would scarce have forgot them to the day of your death. But pray tell me, Did you meet nobody in the Valley of Humility?
{179} FAITH. Yes, I met with one Discontent, who would willingly have persuaded me to go back again with him; his reason was, for that the valley was altogether without honour. He told me, moreover, that there to go was the way to disobey all my friends, as Pride, Arrogancy, Self-conceit, Worldly-glory, with others, who he knew, as he said, would be very much offended, if I made such a fool of myself as to wade through this valley.
--
I told him, moreover, that as to this valley, he had quite misrepresented the thing; for before honour is Humility, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Therefore, said I, I had rather go through this valley to the honour that was so accounted by the wisest, than choose that which he esteemed most worthy our affections.
CHR. Met you with nothing else in that valley?
The Riddle of this World, #unknown, #Unknown, #unset
this intermediate region. A central sincerity, a fundamental Humility also
save from much danger and trouble. One can then pass quickly beyond
Verses of Vemana, #is Book, #unset, #Zen
The Humility of a mad man is great. The widow when ruined veils herself, and the son of a prostitute performs the rites very duly.
691
--
The Humility of a mad man is great. The widow when ruined veils herself, and the son of a prostitute performs the rites very duly.
691
--- Overview of noun humility
The noun humility has 2 senses (first 2 from tagged texts)
1. (2) humility, humbleness ::: (a disposition to be humble; a lack of false pride; "not everyone regards humility as a virtue")
2. (1) humility, humbleness ::: (a humble feeling; "he was filled with humility at the sight of the Pope")
--- Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun humility
2 senses of humility
Sense 1
humility, humbleness
=> trait
=> attribute
=> abstraction, abstract entity
=> entity
Sense 2
humility, humbleness
=> feeling
=> state
=> attribute
=> abstraction, abstract entity
=> entity
--- Hyponyms of noun humility
2 senses of humility
Sense 1
humility, humbleness
=> meekness, subduedness
Sense 2
humility, humbleness
=> meekness, submission
=> self-depreciation
--- Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun humility
2 senses of humility
Sense 1
humility, humbleness
=> trait
Sense 2
humility, humbleness
=> feeling
--- Coordinate Terms (sisters) of noun humility
2 senses of humility
Sense 1
humility, humbleness
-> trait
=> character, fiber, fibre
=> nature
=> compulsiveness, compulsivity
=> emotionality, emotionalism
=> unemotionality, emotionlessness
=> activeness, activity
=> inactiveness, inactivity, inertia
=> seriousness, earnestness, serious-mindedness, sincerity
=> frivolity, frivolousness
=> communicativeness
=> uncommunicativeness
=> thoughtfulness
=> unthoughtfulness, thoughtlessness
=> attentiveness
=> inattentiveness
=> masculinity
=> femininity, muliebrity
=> trustworthiness, trustiness
=> untrustworthiness, untrustiness
=> individuality, individualism, individuation
=> stinginess
=> egoism, egocentrism, self-interest, self-concern, self-centeredness
=> drive
=> resoluteness, firmness, firmness of purpose, resolve, resolution
=> irresoluteness, irresolution
=> discipline
=> indiscipline, undiscipline
=> pride
=> conceit, conceitedness, vanity
=> humility, humbleness
=> wisdom, wiseness
=> folly, foolishness, unwiseness
=> judgment, judgement, sound judgment, sound judgement, perspicacity
=> trust, trustingness, trustfulness
=> distrust, distrustfulness, mistrust
=> cleanliness
=> uncleanliness
=> demeanor, demeanour, behavior, behaviour, conduct, deportment
=> tractability, tractableness, flexibility
=> intractability, intractableness
=> rurality, ruralism
Sense 2
humility, humbleness
-> feeling
=> affect
=> emotion
=> thing
=> glow
=> faintness
=> soul, soulfulness
=> passion, passionateness
=> sentiment
=> complex
=> ambivalence, ambivalency
=> apathy
=> desire
=> sex, sexual urge
=> pleasure, pleasance
=> pain, painfulness
=> pang, stab, twinge
=> liking
=> dislike
=> gratitude
=> ingratitude, ungratefulness
=> unconcern
=> shame
=> pride, pridefulness
=> humility, humbleness
=> astonishment, amazement
=> devastation
=> expectation
=> levity
=> gravity, solemnity
=> sensitivity, sensitiveness
=> agitation
=> calmness
=> fearlessness, bravery
=> happiness
=> sadness, unhappiness
=> hope
=> despair
=> affection, affectionateness, fondness, tenderness, heart, warmness, warmheartedness, philia
=> temper, mood, humor, humour
=> sympathy, fellow feeling
=> enthusiasm
--- Grep of noun humility
humility
Wikipedia - Honesty-humility factor of the HEXACO model of personality
Wikipedia - Humility (song) -- 2018 single by Gorillaz and George Benson
Wikipedia - Humility -- The quality of being humble
Wikipedia - Madonna of Humility (Fra Angelico) -- 1430s painting by Fra Angelico
Wikipedia - Saint Humility -- Italian saint
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11001589-the-power-of-humility
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/145644.Humility
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1753626.The_Steps_of_Humility_and_Pride
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1789128.The_Humility_And_Suffering_Of_God
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18888086-humility
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221103.The_Humility_of_God
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23526111-reclaiming-humility
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30618653-humility-is-the-new-smart
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6588200-humility
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/770265.Humility
https://bible.wikia.org/wiki/User_blog:AdamSch/The_Humility_Expectation
https://familypedia.wikia.org/wiki/Humility_Cooper
https://familypedia.wikia.org/wiki/Humility_Cooper_(1619-1638)
https://religion.wikia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Book_of_Prayers/Occasional_Prayers#For_the_gift_of_Humility.
https://religion.wikia.org/wiki/Guru_Granth_Sahib_on_humility
https://religion.wikia.org/wiki/Humility
Integral World - An Integral Journey: From hubris to Humility, Joseph Dillard
Integral World - Ken Wilber and Intellectual Humility, Narcissism, Insularity, and Tragedy, Scott F. Parker
wiki.auroville - Humility
Psychology Wiki - Humility
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy - modesty-humility
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HumilityTropes
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SuddenHumility
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Humility
The Good Earth(1937) - The story of a farmer in China: a story of humility and bravery. His father gives Wang Lung a freed slave as wife. By diligence and frugality the two manage to enlarge their property. But then a famine forces them to leave their land and live in the town. However it turns out to be a blessing in dis...
An Exercise in Humility
Cultural humility
Honesty-humility factor of the HEXACO model of personality
Humility
Humility Cooper
Humility (song)
Litany of humility
Madonna of humility
Madonna of Humility (Gentile da Fabriano)
Saint Humility
Sisters of the Holy Humility of Mary
Triptych of the Madonna of Humility with Saints
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