The Steps of Humility and Pride XV:43 71
The Steps of Humility and Pride XV:43
it is rosy or wan by looking at his hands and arms, poking at his ribs, and feeling his shoulders and loins to see how skinny or fleshy they are. He is very exact about his own particular doings and slack about the common exercises. He will stay awake in bed and sleep in choir. After sleeping through the night office while the others were singing psalms, he stays to pray alone in the oratory while they are resting in the cloister.328 He makes sure that those sitting outside know he is there modestly hidden in his corner, clearing his throat and coughing and groaning and sighing.329 Some of the more simpleminded are misled by his worthless singularities and, judging by his actions which they see and not seeing the hidden intentions, they canonize the unfortunate man and confirm him in his self-delusion.
THE SIXTH STEP: SELF-CONCEIT
XV. 43. He swallows all the praise others give him. He is quite complacent about his conduct and he never examines his motives now; the good opinion of others is all he needs.
About everything else he thinks he knows more than anybody, but when they say something favorable about him he believes them against his own conscience. So now not only in words and affected conduct does he display his piety but he believes in his inmost heart that he is holier than others.330
It never occurs to him that the praise given to him comes from 328. RB 8:3. Cf. Gilbert of Swineshead, SC 23:3, PL 184-120, CF 14.
329. This is the exact opposite of what St Benedict prescribes: "When the Work of God is ended, let all go out in perfect silence and let reverence for God be observed, so that any brother who may wish to pray privately will not be hindered by another's misconduct. At other times also, if anyone should want to pray by himself, let him go in simply and pray, not in a loud voice but with tears and fervor of heart He who does not say his prayers this way, therefore, shall not be permitted to remain in the oratory when the Work of God is ended, lest another be hindered, as we have said."-RB 52:2-5.
330. Bernard uses Benedict's own expression to bring out the contrast: "The seventh degree of humility is that he consider himself lower and of less account than anyone else, and this not only in verbal protestation but also with the most heartfelt inner conviction, humbling himself and saying with the Prophet, 'But I am a worm and no man, the scorn of men and the outcast of the people. After being exalted, I have been humbled and covered with confusion.' And again, 'It is good for me that you have humbled me, that I may leam your commandments." "
- R B 7:51-54. [Italics mine).
The Steps of Humility and Pride X VI: 44 ignorance or kindness; his pride thinks it only his due. So, after singularity, self-conceit comes sixth, and the seventh is presumption.
THE SEVENTH STEP: PRESUMPTION331
XVI. 44. When a man thinks he is better than others will he not put himself before others? He must have the first place in gatherings, be the first to speak in council. He comes without being called. He interferes without being asked. He must rearrange everything, re-do whatever has been done.
What he himself did not do or arrange is not rightly done or properly arranged. He is the judge of all judges and decides every case beforehand. If he is not made Prior332 when a vacancy occurs he knows that the Abbot is jealous of him, or has been deceived! If obedience calls him to some ordinary tasks he refuses disdainfully.333 A man fitted for higher positions could not be occupied with lesser things. Since he is so liberal, even reckless, in offering his services, sooner or later he will make some blunders. Then a superior may have to correct him. Will he admit his fault? He could hardly believe that he could be wrong and certainly will not let anybody else believe it. Thus his fault is made worse instead of being set right. If therefore, when he is corrected, you see him making excuses in his sin334 you will know he has dropped another step—the eighth, which is named self-justification.
331. Cf. with the treatment of presumption in QH 11:4; OB 4:451; CF 43.
332. Benedict provides in RB 65 that the abbot might choose a praepositus, a claustral prior, as a second in command. This was the common practice in Cistercian monasteries.
333. This is just the opposite of the sixth step of humility: "The sixth step of humility is that a monk be content with the poorest and worst of everything, and that in every occupation assigned he consider himself a bad and worthless workman, saying with the Prophet, "I am brought to nothing and I am without understanding; I have become as a beast of burden before you, and I am always with you."—RB 7:49-501 334. Ps 140:4. Bernard uses this verse as it is found in the Vulgate as his bridge between this and the following step: "Incline not my heart to evil words; to make excuses in sins."