The first step in the search for truth is humility. The second, humility. The third, humility. And the last one, humility. Naturally, that doesn’t mean that humility is the only virtue necessary for the discovery and enjoyment of truth. But if the other virtues aren’t preceded, accompanied and followed by humility, pride will find an opening and infiltrate them and, sooner or later, finish up destroying good intentions. All other vices are recognised when we are doing wrong; but pride is to be feared even when we do right. Test those things which are done in a praiseworthy manner lest they be spoiled by the desire for praise itself. (Letter 118, 3, 22).
“Learn from me, I am gentle and humble of heart”: what then does it do us good to learn? He is suggesting we have the most genuine sort of love for one’s fellows, love without mixed motives, without conceit, without arrogance, without deceit. That’s what is being suggested, by the one who says, “Learn from me, because I am gentle and humble of heart.” (Sermon 142, 12)
No one says to you, “Be less than you are,” but rather, “Recognise what you are.” Recognise yourself as weak, as a human being, as a sinner. When you accept and admit your shortcomings, you are on the way to healing. (Sermon 137, 4, 4).
Walk the path of humility, if you want to arrive at eternity. Christ, as human, is the path we are following. Christ, as God, is the destination towards which we are travelling. It’s to him we are going. It’s by him we are going. (Sermon 123, 3, 3).
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