"Provided that it is in good faith, then, it is a mark of virtue to put up with superiors' faults. One should, nevertheless, if there is any prospect that the offending trait could be emended, make a humble suggestion to that effect. Yet one should take great care, when defending justice, not to go too far and cross the threshold of arrogance; not, in an ill-judged love of right, to forfeit humility, the mistress of right; not to forget that the person of whose action one happens to be critical is in fact one's senior. Subjects will discipline their minds to guard humility and avoid the swelling of pride, if they keep an incessant watch on their own weaknesses.
For we neglect to examine our own strength honestly; and because we believe ourselves stronger than we really are, we judge our superiors severely. The less we know of ourselves, the more our field of vision is occupied by those whom we aspire to criticize"
Gregory the Great (540-604) Moralia, Book 25:16:36 in "From Irenaeus to Grotius" ed O'Donovan and O'Donovan" pg202
Catholic integralism: response to a response
21 hours ago
7 comments:
Great quote.
He is speaking from a culture with a well-defined sense of hierarchy, however. Most people knew their places in society.
Now, everyone has a voice, or a blog. No one is content with their station, and criticism reigns.
Yeah, though perhaps we should consider everyone our superior
Precisely
Especially if your last name is "Great"...
My ancestor's first name was Papal.
Was his last name bull? Ha ha ha.
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