HAVING A HUMBLE OPINION OF SELF
EVERY man naturally
desires knowledge; but what good is knowledge without fear of God?
Indeed a humble rustic who serves God is better than a proud
intellectual who neglects his soul to study the course of the stars.
He who knows himself well becomes mean in his own eyes and is not
happy when praised by men.
If I knew all things in
the world and had not charity, what would it profit me before God Who
will judge me by my deeds?
Shun too great a desire
for knowledge, for in it there is much fretting and delusion.
Intellectuals like to appear learned and to be called wise. Yet there
are many things the knowledge of which does little or no good to the
soul, and he who concerns himself about other things than those which
lead to salvation is very unwise.
Many words do not satisfy
the soul; but a good life eases the mind and a clean conscience
inspires great trust in God.
The more you know and the
better you understand, the more severely will you be judged, unless
your life is also the more holy. Do not be proud, therefore, because
of your learning or skill. Rather, fear because of the talent given
you. If you think you know many things and understand them well
enough, realize at the same time that there is much you do not know.
Hence, do not affect wisdom, but admit your ignorance. Why prefer
yourself to anyone else when many are more learned, more cultured than
you?
If you wish to learn and
appreciate something worth while, then love to be unknown and
considered as nothing. Truly to know and despise self is the best and
most perfect counsel. To think of oneself as nothing, and always to
think well and highly of others is the best and most perfect wisdom.
Wherefore, if you see another sin openly or commit a serious crime, do
not consider yourself better, for you do not know how long you can
remain in good estate. All men are frail, but you must admit that none
is more frail than yourself. |
Of thinking humbly of oneself
There is naturally in every man a
desire to know, but what profiteth knowledge without the fear of God?
Better of a surety is a lowly peasant who serveth God, than a proud
philosopher who watcheth the stars and neglecteth the knowledge of
himself. He who knoweth himself well is vile in his own sight;
neither regardeth he the praises of men. If I knew all the things
that are in the world, and were not in charity, what should it help me
before God, who is to judge me according to my deeds?
2. Rest from inordinate desire of
knowledge, for therein is found much distraction and deceit. Those
who have knowledge desire to appear learned, and to be called wise.
Many things there are to know which profiteth little or nothing to the
soul. And foolish out of measure is he who attendeth upon other
things rather than those which serve to his soul's health. Many words
satisfy not the soul, but a good life refresheth the mind, and a pure
conscience giveth great confidence towards God.
3. The greater and more complete
thy knowledge, the more severely shalt thou be judged, unless thou
hast lived holily. Therefore be not lifted up by any skill or
knowledge that thou hast; but rather fear concerning the knowledge
which is given to thee. If it seemeth to thee that thou knowest many
things, and understandest them well, know also that there are many
more things which thou knowest not. Be not high-minded, but rather
confess thine ignorance. Why desirest thou to lift thyself above
another, when there are found many more learned and more skilled in
the Scripture than thou? If thou wilt know and learn anything with
profit, love to be thyself unknown and to be counted for nothing.
4. That is the highest and most
profitable lesson, when a man truly knoweth and judgeth lowly of
himself. To account nothing of one's self, and to think always kindly
and highly of others, this is great and perfect wisdom. Even
shouldest thou see thy neighbor sin openly or grievously, yet thou
oughtest not to reckon thyself better than he, for thou knowest not
how long thou shalt keep thine integrity. All of us are weak and
frail; hold thou no man more frail than thyself. |