HUMILITY<><>

sent by Aurelie a dear friend (all other photos are by E-M)

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, 

it's thinking of yourself less. <>

C. S. Lewis

by Ken a dear friend

Switzerland

ON A STORMY NIGHT as a heavy rain was pouring down, a man went up to the top of his house because a sudden flood made it impossible for him to stay downstairs.  He prayed.  His expectancy was that God would get him off the roof without harm to himself.  A boat came by and the boats man called out and said, “Jump, I’ll take you to dry land.”  The man shook his head and said, “No, I prayed, and God will help me.” So the boats man left.  A helicopter flying over the house threw a rope down to pull the man up, but he refused to take it because he insisted that God would take care of him.  When it became dark and the waters swelled, he cried out to God, “Where are you, I’m waiting for you. Help me.”  God said, “I am here, and I’ve sent you a boat and a helicopter, but you refused them both.”

Basically the man was right to pray, and to know that God would hear and help him, however, his narrow tunnel vision did not allow him to see the infinite ways of God … it requires the kind of humility that can see God everywhere where Good presents itself.

Eva-Maria

painting by Eva-Maria

First, self-knowledge.  [Then…]

The second stage of mental development is humility.

This virtue triumphs over the flesh; it is the genius of Christian Science.  One can never go up, until one has gone down in his own esteem.  Humility is lens and prism to the understanding of Mind-healing: it must be had to understand [the Science of the Christ]; it is indispensable to personal growth, and points out the chart of its divine Principle and rule of practice.

Cherish humility, “watch,” and “pray without ceasing,” or you will miss the way of Truth and Love.

--Mary Baker Eddy

Mongo<> Ken's best friend<>

I bow before the Christ-presence within YOU All…<> eva-maria 

I claim to be a simple individual liable to err like any other fellow mortal. I own, however, that I have humility enough to confess my errors and to retrace my steps.

Mahatma Gandhi

There is no respect for others without humility in one's self.

Henri Frederic Amiel

It was pride that changed angels into devils; 

it is humility that makes men as angels.

Saint Augustine

Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real.

Thomas Merton

The Mother Church <> Boston
We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility.

Rabindranath Tagore

Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. 

You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? 

Lay first the foundation of humility.

Saint Augustine

Chicago

The first test of a truly great man is his humility. By humility I don't mean doubt of his powers or hesitation in speaking his opinion, but merely an understanding of the relationship of what he can say and what he can do.

John Ruskin

If thou desire the love of God and man, be humble, for the proud heart, as it loves none but itself, is beloved of none but itself. Humility enforces where neither virtue, nor strength, nor reason can prevail.

Francis Quarles

Switzerland

Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance.

Saint Augustine

There is something in humility 

which strangely exalts the heart.

My tears are flowing

Like a gentle stream

Over cheeks and lips

As I am touched by Your

Gracious Words, and You bid

The inner tumult to cease,

Teaching me, dear God, Your peace. 

I in gratitude to You,

O Beloved! I can see

There I was to be

In sadness, and a

Loss of tranquility—

Through a silent prayer

My heart was safe from enmity,

Rising up again to You,

Peace to all, and to him and me -- it sang

Of Your immediacy, and

Will not let me go astray

But fulfills in its silent way:

“Let no vacuum ever there be.”

Your dear love always reaches me

Like the fullness of a morning beam,

I am free of tears, and all shadows flee.

Eva-Maria

Humility is not cowardice. Meekness is not weakness. 

Humility and meekness are indeed spiritual powers.

Swami Sivananda

Humility is attentive patience.

Simone Weil

Boston

New York City

Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility. 

It is often only carelessness of opinion, 

and sometimes an indirect boast.

Jane Austen

True humility is intelligent self respect which keeps us from thinking too highly or too meanly of ourselves. It makes us modest by reminding us how far we have come short of what we can be.

Ralph W. Sockman

by Garry Finn Architect &friend

Switzerland

Boston

Humility is truth.

Desiderius Erasmus

England

Switzerland

Eva-Maria

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Scriptures Matthew 18:2-5

England

I wish each one of you a peaceful Easter

And warm greetings and love to all!

Eva-Maria