Low in his own eyes, that is. For pride goeth before destruction, and a
haughty spirit before a fall. Yes; but he who is low enough already--none
of the sure destructions that pride always works shall ever come near to
him. "The proud man," says Sir Henry Taylor, "is of all men the most
vulnerable. 'Who calls?' asks the old shepherd in _As You Like It_.
'Your betters,' is the insolent answer. And what is the shepherd's
rejoinder? 'Else are they very wretched.' By what retort, reprisal, or
repartee could it have been made half so manifest that the insult had
lighted upon armour of proof? Such is the invincible independence and
invulnerability of humility."
He that is humble ever shall
Have God to be his guide.
For thus saith the high and holy One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name
is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a
contrite and humble spirit, to revive the heart of the humble, and to
revive the heart of the contrite ones . . . All those things hath Mine
hand made, but to this man will I look, saith the Lord, even to him that
is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembleth at My word . . .
Though the Lord be high, yet hath He respect unto the lowly; but the
proud He knoweth afar off . . . Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves
unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be
clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to
the humble . . . Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty,
neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for
me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned
of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child . . . Take My yoke upon
you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find
rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
I am content with what I have,
Little be it, or much:
And, Lord, contentment still I crave,
Because thou savest such.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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