The humble are always pleasant to deal with, and pleasant in their conversation. They always try to consult the wishes of the person with whom they have to deal. They conduct themselves as his inferior. They forget themselves and their own interests, and so are able to enter into his wishes and see things as he himself sees them. They are ready to give way to him and they have a high esteem for his opinion, and their words and behavior show this. Ask yourselves if these are your characteristics.
The humble show a special sweetness towards those to whom they are naturally disinclined, and whom they are tempted to regard with repugnance and aversion. Instead of turning their back on such and having nothing to do with them, they recognize in this natural aversion a sign of pride against which they must struggle and which has to be overcome. They remember that, in themselves, there are defects far greater than those they dislike in others. Remembering this, they not only put up with the disagreeable qualities of others, but for this reason they also determine, with a sort of Divine generosity, to show the greater kindness to them.
This is always the conduct of the saints. We admire their self-conquest in tenderly nursing those affected with loathsome diseases or in kissing their sores; but we should admire still more their gentleness to those who insult them and their sweetness and charity to the coarse, rude, and brutal. This is the way to win sinners to Christ. This is the way to attain solid peace and joy of heart. It is the charity of Christ overcoming self that makes the humble always contented and happy.
- text from Humility, Thirty Short Meditations by Father Richard Frederick Clarke, SJ