A humble man is never rash, hasty or perturbed, never has
any hot and volatile thoughts, but at all times remains calm. Even if heaven
were to fall and cleave to the earth, the humble man would not be dismayed. Not
every quiet man is humble, but every humble man is quiet. There is no humble
man who is not self-constrained; but you will find many who are
self-constrained without being humble. This is also what the meek humble Lord
meant when He said, ‘Learn of Me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and ye
shall find rest unto your souls.’ [Matt 11:29]
For the humble man is always at rest, because there is nothing which can
agitate or shake his mind. Just as no one can frighten a mountain, so the mind
of a humble man cannot be frightened. If it be permissible and not incongruous,
I should say that the humble man is not of this world. For he is not troubled
and altered by sorrows, nor amazed and enthused by joys, but all his gladness
and his real rejoicing are in the things of his Master.
Humility is accompanied
by modesty and self-collectedness: that is, chastity of the senses; a moderate
voice; mean speech; self-belittlement; poor raiment; a gait that is not
pompous; a gaze directed towards the earth; superabundant mercy; easily flowing
tears; a solitary soul; a contrite heart; imperturbability to anger;
undistributed senses; few possessions; moderation in every need; endurance;
patience; fearlessness; manliness of heart born of a hatred of this temporal
life; patient endurance of trials; deliberations that are ponderous, not light,
extinction of thoughts; guarding of the mysteries of chastity; modesty,
reverence; and above all, continually to be still and always to claim
ignorance.
By St. Isaac the Syrian
Homily 72: On the Vision of the Nature of
Incorporeal Beings,
in Questions and Answers
Source: http://www.orthodoxchurchquotes.com/2015/08/18/st-isaac-the-syrian-a-humble-man-is/
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