The Worm of Pride

by Defensor Grammaticus

Augustine said:
‘We must avoid pride. If it was able to deceive angels, how much more will it be able to scatter human wits.’

Ambrose said:
‘Pride transformed angels into demons, humility makes human beings into saints.  Pride leads you to despise God’s commandments, humility urges you to follow them.  The proud want to be praised even for what they have not done, the humble try to hide the good they do.’

Gregory said:
‘The one who is in the first place can never learn humility if he does not overcome pride when he is in the last.’

In The Lives of the Fathers it is said:

‘Fruit that is ruined is no use to the farmer; virtue that is proud is no use to God.  Just as the weight of the fruit breaks the branch, so pride smashes the beauty of the soul.’

Defensor Grammaticus
Book of Sparkling Sayings, 17 (SC77 pp.258ff.)

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