The Life of Humility and Meekness The Beatitude of Humility
The Life of Humility and Meekness
This book will be published soon, God willing, comprising everything that has been possible for us to obtain from the sayings of the holy Fathers. Until it is published, we will now quote for you some words from it about:
The Beatitude of Humility¹
I wish to open my mouth, my brothers, and speak about the noble mystery of humility, but I am afraid, like one who wishes to speak about God. For humility is the garment of the divinity which the Eternal Word put on when He was incarnate, and through which He spoke with us by means of the body which He took from us. And everyone who wears this garment has truly become like Him who descended from His height, concealed the ray of His greatness, and veiled the honor of His glory…
Therefore, everyone whom the silent or speaking creation sees clothed in this likeness bows down to him as to the Lord, for the sake of the honor of its Master whom it saw wearing this and behaving by it in the world.
Who is he that does not feel shame at the sight of the humble?! Before the glory of humility appeared, his appearance, full of holiness, was despised by everyone. But now that the greatness of humility has appeared in the whole world, everyone venerates and honors this likeness…
Mar Isaac (Part 2, Discourse 35)
Abba Macarius was asked, “Which of the virtues is the greatest?” He answered and said: If pride is considered the worst of all vices, so much so that it cast a group of angels down from the height of heaven, then without doubt humility is the greatest of all virtues, for it is able to raise the one who holds fast to it from the depths, even if he is a sinner. For this reason the Lord gave the beatitude to the poor in spirit.
And Abba Pachomius said: One of the brothers once asked me, saying, “Tell us of a vision that you see so that we may benefit from it.” I answered him, saying, “One who is a sinner like me does not give visions. But if you wish to see a splendid vision that truly benefits you, then I will point it out to you, and it is this: if you see a man humble of heart and pure, this is greater than all other visions. For through him you behold God who is invisible. So do not ask for a vision better than this.”
And concerning the three great virtues, Abba Barsanuphius said: The following three virtues are very great, and whoever acquires them can dwell among people, in deserts, and wherever he wishes: that a man blame himself, cut off his own will, and walk beneath all creation. The humble man is in the lowest place, and he who is in the lowest place will not fall. From this it is evident that the exalted one is the one who falls quickly.
A certain elder said: “Humility has saved many without toil, and the toil of a man without humility goes in vain. For many have toiled, became proud, and perished.”
Another said: “I prefer to be defeated with humility rather than to be victorious with pride.”
And a third said: “If humility descends to Hades, it ascends even to heaven; and if pride ascends to heaven, it descends even to Hades.”
And Abba Poemen said: “Just as the earth does not fall because it is below, so he who humbles himself does not fall.”
(The Paradise of the Fathers)
Mar Evagrius said: The demons fear the humble man, because they know that he has become a dwelling place for the Lord (M15). And he also said: “Just as the abundance of fruits bends the branches of trees, so the abundance of virtues bends the heart of a man.”
And he also said: “Humility is a hedge that preserves the one who ascends… Thus, if you rise to the height of virtues, you need much guarding. For the one who is on the ground, if he falls, rises quickly; but the one who falls from a height is tormented unto death.”
(The Homily 35)
A certain elder was asked: “How is it that there are men who say, ‘We see angels’?” He answered: “Blessed is he who sees his sins at all times.”
Abba Abraxi(us) said: “The tree of life that rises to the heights is humility.” And he also said: “Make yourself like the tax collector, so that you may not be condemned with the Pharisee.”
(Palladius: 10)
Saint Simeon the Stylite said: “Humility is the dwelling of the Spirit and the place of His rest. The humble man never falls. How can he fall when his conscience and his thought are beneath all people? Pride is a great fall, and humility is a great exaltation. Let us now train our souls to cling to humility and make it a habit for ourselves, even if our heart does not desire it.”
(The Homily 18)
The spiritual elder said: “Who does not love you, O good humble one, except the boastful and conceited, from whose works you are a stranger?!”
(The First Homily)
Saint Augustine said in his commentary on Psalm 93: “If strength, then, is in humility, do not fear the proud. The humble are like the rock: you may go downwards, but it is firm and steadfast. And who are the proud? They are like smoke: although it rises, it vanishes…”
(Part 3)
And he also said: “Who is it that does not wish to be exalted?! Exaltation pleases everyone. But humility is the first step toward it. Why do you place your foot outside… Begin with the step and you will have been exalted.”
(Homily 46)
And he also said: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and He saves the humble in spirit” (Ps 22:18). “God is high; therefore let the Christian be humble. If he wishes to draw near to the Most High, let him be low. A great mystery, my brothers! God is above all: if you raise yourself, you will not touch Him; if you lower yourself, He will descend to you… You know that God is high. If you make yourself high, He will be far from you; if you humble yourself, He will draw near to you. ‘The Lord is high and regards the humble’” (Ps 138).
And he also said, contemplating the psalm: “Who is like the Lord our God, who dwells on high, and looks upon the humble things in heaven and on earth?” (Ps 113). What is His high dwelling from which He looks upon the humble things in heaven and on earth? Are these humble ones whom He looks upon His very high dwelling? For thus He raises the humble… Therefore He dwells in those whom He raises to the heights and makes them heavens for Himself, that is, a special dwelling place for Him… For thus the Spirit speaks: “Thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, the Lord Most High, who dwells in the saints.” He explained what He means by dwelling on high by the complete expression “who dwells in the saints.”
(Augustine: Commentary on the Psalms)
Saint Abba Anthony saw the snares of the devil spread over the face of all the earth, and he sighed and said: “O Lord, who can escape these?” And a voice came to him saying: “The humble escape them.”
Saint Dorotheus said: In truth, there is nothing stronger than humility, for nothing can overcome it.
(From the book Philokalia)
Mar Ephrem the Syrian said: “Let the posture of the one who sweeps his house discipline you, as he bends down to the ground and cleans it. How much more does man need to bow down with great care and humble himself in order to cleanse the soul and not leave in it the things which God hates…”
And he also said: “In the humble soul dwell the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And in pride dwells the one who said: ‘I will ascend to heaven, I will sit on the lofty mountain… I will ascend above the clouds; I will be like the Most High’” (Isaiah 14).
(The Third Homily)
Mar Isaac said: He who has felt his sins is better than one who benefits creation by his appearance. And he who sighs over himself every day is better than one who raises the dead by his prayer. And he who has been worthy to see his sins is better than one who sees angels. And he who follows Christ every day with weeping in solitude is better than one whom they praise in the assemblies… (Part 2, Discourse 26)
And he also said: The tree that bears many fruits bends its branches because of its fruits and is not moved by every wind. But the tree that bears no fruit lifts up its branches, and with every wind it moves. As he said: “A fall with humility and repentance is more acceptable to God than standing with pride.”
(The Fourth Book)
And he said in praise of the humble:
The humble man is not hated by anyone, nor does anyone grieve him with a word or despise him, because his Master has made him beloved by all, and everyone loves him. And every place in which he is found, they look upon him as an angel of light and distinguish him with honor.
The wise or the philosopher speaks and they silence him, but they give space for the humble to speak, and the ears of all are attentive to the discourse of his mouth. His words are with them like the words of God; his speech is sweet in the ears of the wise, sweeter than honey to the taste of those who eat it.
The one who speaks against the humble with mockery and contempt is not counted among the living, but as a man who has loosed his tongue against God. And the more the humble man despises himself and abases his own soul, the more his honor increases among all creation.
The humble man draws near to wild beasts, and as soon as they see him, their ferocity is calmed and they draw near to him… they wag their tails and heads and lick his hands and feet, because they smell from him the scent which they used to smell from Adam in Paradise before he transgressed the commandment, when they gathered to him and he gave them names in Paradise…
Even the demons—with all their wickedness and the pride of their hearts—if they draw near to the humble man, they become like dust, and all their evil, all their schemes, and all their works are nullified…
(Part 2, Discourse 35)
And he also said: If humility exalts the status of the unlearned and the one who has no knowledge, how great, then, is the honor that humility brings to the noble and eminent people!
(Part 3, Discourse 2)
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An article by His Grace Anba Shenouda, Bishop of Education – Al-Keraza Magazine, first year – issues two and three – February and March 1965.
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