To have to recognize defects in ourselves is always painful to human nature. We should like to think ourselves perfect, or at any rate free from any very serious faults. In spite of all our efforts, the knowledge of our many imperfections and blemishes thrusts itself upon us and the difference between the man of good-will and the lover of self is that one turns himself with all his energy to cure his defects and the other seeks to palliate them, excuse them, and hide them as best he can from himself and others.
One of the best means of getting rid of our faults is to be told of them by others. Here again, another signal difference is seen between the proud man and the humble. The one is grateful for the correction and turns at once to avail himself of it. The other resents it and is more inclined to think how he can revenge himself on his reprover than how he can remedy his own defect. Judged by this test, am I among the proud or the humble? When reproved, is my first impulse vexation and anger or sorrow and a wish to amend?
There is still another test. The proud sometimes avail themselves of a reproof and correct their faults because of the reproof. Yet they seek to conceal from their reprover the fact that they are following his counsel. They will not acknowledge that they are being guided by the reprover. Those who are truly humble rejoice in letting others see that they are adopting their advice in submitting themselves to reproof with gratitude as coming from God and as a favor bestowed on them. Can I stand this test?
- text from Humility, Thirty Short Meditations by Father Richard Frederick Clarke, SJ