Question XIV: On humility

Humility is a virtue so restraining the passion of Hope and of Boldness, that no one in that genus wishes anything to be attributed to himself beyond what befits him, with due regard for his own dignity. D. Thomas asserts this to be a certain species of modesty, and there art. 3 he teaches that it does not conflict with humility for someone to recognize the gifts he has received from God, according to 1 Cor. 2: We have not received the spirit of this world, but the spirit that is of God, that we may know what things are given to us by God. Nevertheless D. Thomas teaches that it belongs to Humility to reckon others as one's superiors, either by comparing what we have naturally with what another has by grace, or our defects with the good of another. Therefore the holy Doctor defines it in book 1 de profectu religiosorum cap. 19: It is a voluntary inclination of the mind, arising from an intuition of one's own condition or frailty. Or from D. Bernard, treatise on the twelve degrees of humility: Humility is the virtue by which a man, through most true knowledge of himself, becomes lowly in his own eyes.

The holy Doctor adduces two motives for this abasement: Consider that you are smoke, and that you are not smoke: for that we are smoke, we do not have of ourselves, nor first from our own merits; therefore reason dictates, so that we not be puffed up on this account, but rather refer all things to the Giver, lest attributing to ourselves what belongs to God we be thieves; for he says Isa. 42: My glory I will not give to another. But that we are not smoke likewise admonishes us to be humbled, because it is an empty glory to boast of what one does not have, just as if a Pygmy should proclaim himself a giant; a pauper should style himself rich, like that High Priest of Apoc. 3, or an Ethiopian should proclaim himself whiter than snow.

A threefold Humility, the holy Doctor says, is necessary to us. The first toward ourselves, that considering our own worthlessness we abase ourselves. The second in humbly comporting ourselves, as is said Ps. 34: As one mourning and sorrowful, so was I humbled. The third in exercising ourselves in humble offices. So 2 Reg. 6 David said: I will play, and be made viler than I have been, and I will be humble in my own eyes.

Secondly, we must be humble in regard to our neighbor, and indeed first by esteeming them above ourselves, as is said Philip. 2: In humility esteeming one another as superiors. Second, by preventing one another with exterior honor, reverencing, inclining, yielding the first place, not detracting from anyone, but obeying and deferring. Third, we must bear with their weak works, as is said Ps. 34: When they were troublesome to me, I clothed myself in sackcloth, I humbled myself, etc. See the holy Doctor cap. 31 of the aforesaid book.

Thirdly, we must humble ourselves before God. First by acknowledging him as our Lord, Creator, etc. Second, by subjecting ourselves to his will and scourges, acknowledging them as deserved by our demerits, as is said Mich. 7: I will bear the wrath of the Lord, because I have sinned against him. Third, so that we not be puffed up over his benefits, but say with the Psalmist: Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, Psalm 113.

He assigns three degrees of humility: The first is that, considering our own worthlessness and our sins, we acknowledge ourselves needy with a humble mind, neither boast, nor seek after praise and honors.

The second degree is, when a man not only despises himself, but also patiently accepts being despised by others; indeed, because we love the truth, one even desires to be judged by others as lowly as he himself acknowledges himself to be.

The third degree is, when even in great gifts a man does not flatter himself, but refers all to the Giver above: Such was the humility of the Blessed Virgin, who, when she perceived herself raised to the dignity of God's mother, confesses herself a handmaid, Luke 1, and Christ, being in the form of God, humbled himself, Philip. 2. Hence Matth. 11 he says: Learn of me, for I am meek and humble of heart. Such is the humility of the Angels and Saints in glory, to which the meek in their ways are likened. See the holy Doctor cap. 33, and de gradibus virtutum c. 3, and P. P. Gentil. sect. 18. Rodriguez pursues this at length.

MANY other outstanding things he teaches on Humility in Diaeta, tit. 7. cap. 1, which I do not wish to transcribe, referring the reader to the ever-flowing fountain of heavenly water.

VERY MANY examples of humility from Scripture the holy Doctor gives in Bibliis pauperum, cap. 97.

VERY MANY he gathers from the holy Fathers in lib. 4. Pharetrae, cap. 12, where he also sets out the twelve degrees of humility from D. Bernard on the 12 degrees of humility, which are also found in D. Thomas.

MANY things likewise he has in serm. 2. Dom. 16. post Pentec. and serm. 2. de uno S. Confessore, and serm. 5. de uno S. Martyre, and serm. 2. in festo omnium Sanctorum.

The remaining parts of the potential Temperance were indicated above, and I shall not go on at greater length.