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August 19, 2002
Seventeen Evidences of a Lack of Humility
Apropos of the remarkable discussion Kairos started yesterday on humility:
At the risk of violating number 8 below, I use leave this as a checklist on my wall at work. I cheer when I have shown as few as nine of the seventeen in a day. This is from the remarkable writings of Josemaria Escriva, soon-to-be St. Josemaria.
Furrow Josemaria Escriva
263
Allow me to remind you that among other evident signs of a lack of humility are:--Thinking that what you do or say is better than what others do or say;
--Always wanting to get your own way;
--Arguing when you are not right or --when you are -- insisting stubbornly or with bad manners;
--Giving your opinion without being asked for it, when charity does not demand you to do so;
--Despising the point of view of others;
--Not being aware that all the gifts and qualities you have are on loan;
--Not acknowledging that you are unworthy of all honour or esteem, even the ground you are treading on or the things you own;
--Mentioning yourself as an example in conversation;
--Speaking badly about yourself, so that they may form a good opinion of you, or contradict you;
--Making excuses when rebuked;
--Hiding some humiliating faults from your director, so that he may not lose the good opinion he has of you;
--Hearing praise with satisfaction, or being glad that others have spoken well of you;
--Being hurt that others are held in greater esteem than you;
--Refusing to carry out menial tasks;
—Seeking or wanting to be singled out;
--Letting drop words of self-praise in conversation, or words that might show your honesty, your wit or skill, your professional prestige ... ;
--Being ashamed of not having certain possessions ...
Posted by Steven Riddle at August 19, 2002 9:40 PM