The Life of Humility and Meekness Vainglory
The Life of Humility and Meekness
Vainglory¹
In vainglory there is love of praise, fame, leadership positions, the first seats, striving after these things, hypocrisy, etc.
Abba Moses said: “Let us reject the honor of the world and its dignities, so that we may be delivered from vainglory… Just as the pulp wraps around the vine and spoils its fruit, so vainglory spoils a person’s growth when it abounds around him.”
Father Nesteron was walking in the desert with one of the brothers, and when he saw a dragon he fled. The brother said to him: “Do you also fear, father?” The elder replied: “No, my son, I do not fear. But fleeing was more fitting for me, for without it I would not have been delivered from the spirit of empty glory.”
Abba Poemen said: “Envy is born of vainglory. For the person who seeks the glory of people opposes the one who works, succeeds, and is glorified, and he envies him.”
Saint Sophronike said: “The tricks of Satan are many… If he cannot harm the soul by insults and reproaches, he presents to it praise and empty glorification.”
A certain elder said (most likely John Cassian): “It is the nature of the demon of vainglory to reckon monks with two kinds of arrogance. One is called worldly arrogance, because it is not from the work of the spiritual life… such as pride in rank, boasting in noble lineage, delighting in abundance of wealth, adornment of clothing, strength of body, eloquence of speech, and the like.
“As for the other, it is called monastic arrogance, such as boasting or self-admiration in intense fasting and asceticism, perseverance in vigils, constant prayer, withdrawal from people, and renunciation of possessions, etc.” The Paradise of the Fathers.
The man who has a spiritual gift and shows compassion toward those who do not have that gift preserves his gift through his compassion; but the lover of vainglory loses it, struck down by his boastful thoughts.
Abba Mark the Ascetic.
Abba Isaiah said: “If you wish to be known by God, do not make yourself known to people.” And Abba Barsanuphius said: “You are a stranger, my brother, so be a stranger in perfection. Do not consider yourself anything in any matter, and let no one consider you anything; then you will find rest.”
One of the fathers asked Abba Muthius, saying: “If I go to a place where there is no dwelling?” The elder said to him: “If you wish to dwell in a place, do not allow any reputation to come out about you in anything praiseworthy…”
Saint Augustine said in his commentary on Psalm 70 (69:5): “Let those who say to me, ‘Aha, aha,’ turn back and be ashamed.” There are two kinds of persecutors: rivals and flatterers. The tongue of the flatterer persecutes more than the hand of the slayer. Scripture calls it fire… See how the tongue of such a flatterer is! Scripture says: “Silver and gold are tested by fire, but a person is tested by the tongue of those who praise him” (Prov. 27:21).
When the Lord rebukes the Pharisees, He says: “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another, and do not seek the glory that comes from God alone?” (John 5:44). When the demons glorify you in your thoughts and sow pride in your heart… do not be anxious about this nor let the matter weigh heavily upon you; rather, call upon the Lord for help and remember your shortcomings. Then you will acquire peace and calm, and your heart will be purified. O knower, always deny yourself and you will find life within you…
The spiritual elder.
When we do anything with the intention of human glory, we know that—as the Lord said—we are storing up treasures for ourselves on earth. It follows that, since they are hidden in the earth and buried in dust, they will inevitably perish by demons, or be eaten away by the bites of rust from vainglory, or be consumed by the worms of pride, so that they bring forth from their store no benefit or usefulness at all.
Abba Moses
(From the Conferences of Cassian)
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