A right and holy disposition indeed, to ascribe all to God and take no credit to yourself. For it is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in His eyes. But be on guard, lest the very act of proclaiming your humility become a snare of vainglory. Many there are who outwardly profess to give glory to God, yet inwardly they seek the praise of men, and so their confession is hollow. They love the honor that comes from man more than the honor that comes from God. See, then, that your heart is truly broken and contrite before Him, not puffed up in the sight of others under a cloak of lowliness.
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a humble heart He will not despise. Seek this inner crushing, for it is the sure foundation. When you truly count yourself unworthy, you will not even notice the praise or neglect of men, but will fix your eyes solely on the divine judgment. What does it profit if all men speak well of you? Woe unto you, if that is your consolation. The praises of mortals are fleeting, often mingled with flattery or malice, and they vanish like smoke. But the commendation that comes from heaven is eternal and true. Labor therefore not for the fleeting breath of human approval, but for the incorruptible crown that God gives to the lowly.
Let your life itself become a constant hymn of thanksgiving, not in words only but in deeds. Show your humility by walking in charity, emptying yourself for the poor, and counting others better than yourself. In this, you have God as your debtor, no small glory! For when you give alms, or bear insults meekly, or curb your passions, you are not merely speaking of God’s glory but displaying it. This is the victory over pride. Do not say, “I give God the glory,” and then nurse a secret delight in your own reputation. Rather, be the one who is overlooked, despised, forgotten, then you will shine brightly in the presence of the angels. Fix your hope on that day when the Lord examines not the words of the tongue but the intentions of the heart. Then your glory will abound, not in the mouths of men, but in Christ Jesus Himself, to whom be all might, honor, and praise, now and forever.