Remedies Against Pride

When men remain in this condition, there is no doubt that this quiet and secure state of humility will follow. Considering ourselves inferior to everyone else, we will bear everything done to us, even if it is hurtful, saddening and damaging, with the utmost patience, as though it came from those above us. And we will not only bear these things with the greatest ease, but will think them trifles and mere nothings, if we constantly keep in mind the sufferings of our Lord and of all his saints. We will consider that the injuries by which we are tried are as much smaller than theirs as we fall short of their merits and their lives. We will remember, too, that we will shortly leave this world, and soon, by a swift end to our life here, share their lot. For thoughts like these put a sure end not only to pride but to every kind of sin.

Then, next after this, we must keep a firm hold on this same humility toward God. We must secure it in such a way that we not only acknowledge that we cannot possibly do anything connected with reaching perfect virtue without his help and grace, but also truly believe that this very fact, that we can understand this, is his own gift.