Author Topic: Catholic Quotes on Humility (Read 629 times)

Gray2023 · « **on:** February 02, 2026, 08:36:06 AM »

Humility is the mother of many virtues. From it spring obedience, holy fear, reverence, patience, modesty, mildness, and peace; for, whoever is humble easily obeys all, fears to offend any, maintains peace with all, shows himself affable to all, is submissive to all, does not offend or displease any, and does not feel the insults which may be inflicted upon him. He lives happy and contented, and in great peace.----St. Thomas of Villanova

Gray2023 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 04, 2026, 08:41:51 AM »

Humility is necessary not only for the acquisition of virtues, but even for salvation. For the gate of Heaven, as Christ Himself testifies, is so narrow that it admits only little ones.----St. Bernard

Gray2023 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 05, 2026, 08:44:58 AM »

The most powerful weapon to conquer the devil is humility. For, as he does not know at all how to employ it, neither does he know how to defend himself from it.----St. Vincent de Paul

Gray2023 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 06, 2026, 09:17:13 PM »

Persons who keep themselves low in their own estimation and love to be considered of little account and despised by others please God in the highest degree; and, therefore, He willingly lowers Himself to them, pours upon them the treasures of His graces, reveals to them His secrets, invites and draws them sweetly to Himself. Thus, the more one lowers and abuses himself before men, the more he rises and becomes great in the sight of God, and the more clearly he will, one day, behold the Divine Essence.----Thomas a Kempis

Michaelknoxville · « **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2026, 10:54:11 AM »

whoever is humble easily obeys all, fears to offend any, maintains peace with all, shows himself affable to all, is submissive to all, does not offend or displease any body.

With the caveat it’s ordered towards virtue! With caveat its ordered to Gods will. Think of Jesus himself meek and mild whipping the Jews in the temple. Flipping tables over. I love the Saints. I understand the message in this. But what I think is more helpful to our generation at this point in time 2026 is a laser like focus on the scriptures themselves and church fathers closest to the time of Jesus. We need to get back to the foundation, the basics. The advanced lessons have their place I’m not trashing Saint Thomas of Villanova. I’ve noticed that precedent in catholic culture has become more prevalent than the scriptures themselves. It’s easier to twist what someone who lived 500 years ago said as opposed to the words and actions of Jesus himself and those closest to him. These words of st T of V are true but how dangerous are they out of context? One thing I’ve noticed about our forum is quotes of Catholics are posted at a 10-1 ratio of the scriptures themselves and I blame a lot of our problems on that. I think the telephone game argument that protesters use against us has validity. I want a 2000 year reset. Maybe that’s idealistic but I want the spirit of St. John Chrysostom to hit us so we can fully understand and appreciate what st. Thomas of Villanova is communicating. I wonder all the time “ when is the last time a Catholic took the Bible itself and read it from genesis to revelation? “ I don’t think that happens enough. Maybe I’m wrong but I’m sure in many cases I’m not.

2nd Timothy 4: 2
Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine.

Gray2023 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2026, 06:34:48 PM »

One day of humble self-knowledge is a greater grace from the Lord, although it may have cost us many afflictions and trials, than many days of prayer.----St. Teresa

Gray2023 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2026, 05:33:51 AM »

Quote from: Michaelknoxville on February 07, 2026, 10:54:11 AM

whoever is humble easily obeys all, fears to offend any, maintains peace with all, shows himself affable to all, is submissive to all, does not offend or displease any body.

With the caveat it’s ordered towards virtue! With caveat its ordered to Gods will. Think of Jesus himself meek and mild whipping the Jews in the temple. Flipping tables over. I love the Saints. I understand the message in this. But what I think is more helpful to our generation at this point in time 2026 is a laser like focus on the scriptures themselves and church fathers closest to the time of Jesus. We need to get back to the foundation, the basics. The advanced lessons have their place I’m not trashing Saint Thomas of Villanova. I’ve noticed that precedent in catholic culture has become more prevalent than the scriptures themselves. It’s easier to twist what someone who lived 500 years ago said as opposed to the words and actions of Jesus himself and those closest to him. These words of st T of V are true but how dangerous are they out of context? One thing I’ve noticed about our forum is quotes of Catholics are posted at a 10-1 ratio of the scriptures themselves and I blame a lot of our problems on that. I think the telephone game argument that protesters use against us has validity. I want a 2000 year reset. Maybe that’s idealistic but I want the spirit of St. John Chrysostom to hit us so we can fully understand and appreciate what st. Thomas of Villanova is communicating. I wonder all the time “ when is the last time a Catholic took the Bible itself and read it from genesis to revelation? “ I don’t think that happens enough. Maybe I’m wrong but I’m sure in many cases I’m not.

2nd Timothy 4: 2
Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine.

I understand what you are saying, but I think we need to start with better conflict resolution.

This is how it is described biblically Matthew chapter 18 " 15 But if thy brother shall offend against thee, go, and rebuke him between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou shalt gain thy brother.

16 And if he will not hear thee, take with thee one or two more: that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand. 17 And if he will not hear them: tell the church. And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican. "

I think many people skip the personal reproof first. It also means that you really only have an affect on people you have a personal relationship with.

We need a conversion to Truth before we can change society and that happens one person at a time.

Michaelknoxville · « **Reply #7 on:** February 08, 2026, 09:59:36 AM »

Quote from: Gray2023 on February 08, 2026, 05:33:51 AM

I understand what you are saying, but I think we need to start with better conflict resolution.

This is how it is described biblically Matthew chapter 18 " 15 But if thy brother shall offend against thee, go, and rebuke him between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou shalt gain thy brother.

16 And if he will not hear thee, take with thee one or two more: that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand. 17 And if he will not hear them: tell the church. And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican. "

I think many people skip the personal reproof first. It also means that you really only have an affect on people you have a personal relationship with.

We need a conversion to Truth before we can change society and that happens one person at a time.

If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The only thing you can do is jack up the house and rebuild the foundation. Or burn it to the ground and hope the insurance company doesn’t catch you.

Gray2023 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2026, 02:59:35 PM »

Quote from: Michaelknoxville on February 08, 2026, 09:59:36 AM

If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The only thing you can do is jack up the house and rebuild the foundation. Or burn it to the ground and hope the insurance company doesn’t catch you.

I am not sure I understand your point. I would always choose to jack up the house and rebuild the foundation over fraud. Humility might look different if you pray this litany (see below). Humility doesn't mean you are weak. Charity is also important (see below. )

If God wants something it will happen, without sinning in the process.

I think humility is accepting that. I may be wrong.

Litany of Humility

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being loved,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being honored,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being praised,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being approved,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being despised,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I go unnoticed,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

Charity
Charity is patient, is kind; charity does not envy, is not pretentious, is not puffed up, is not ambitious, is not self-seeking, is not provoked; thinks no evil, does not rejoice over wickedness, but rejoices with the truth, bears with all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Cor. 13:4-7).
To have Charity is to love God above all things for Himself and be ready to renounce all created things rather than offend Him by serious sin. ( Matt. 22:36-40)

Cardinal Merry del Val was the Secretary of State to Pope Saint Pius X (1903-1914)

Gray2023 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2026, 07:03:01 PM »

Hold thyself as vile; rejoice to be so held by others; never exalt thyself by reason of the gifts of God, and thou shalt be perfectly humble.----St. Bonaventure

Gray2023 · « **Reply #10 on:** **Yesterday** at 09:25:57 AM »

Humility, which Christ recommended to us both by word and example, ought to include three conditions. First, we are to consider ourselves, in all sincerity, worthy of the contempt of men; secondly, to be glad that others should see what is imperfect in us and what might cause them to despise us; thirdly, when the Lord works any good in us or by our means, to conceal it, if possible, at the sight of our baseness, and if this cannot be done, to ascribe it to the Divine Mercy, and to the merits of others. Whoever shall attain to this humility, happy is he! and to him who shall not attain it, griefs will never be wanting.----St. Vincent de Paul

Michaelknoxville · « **Reply #11 on:** **Yesterday** at 02:11:09 PM »

Quote from: Gray2023 on February 08, 2026, 02:59:35 PM

I am not sure I understand your point. I would always choose to jack up the house and rebuild the foundation over fraud. Humility might look different if you pray this litany (see below). Humility doesn't mean you are weak. Charity is also important (see below. )

If God wants something it will happen, without sinning in the process.

I think humility is accepting that. I may be wrong.

Litany of Humility

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being loved,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being honored,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being praised,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being approved,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being despised,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I go unnoticed,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

Charity
Charity is patient, is kind; charity does not envy, is not pretentious, is not puffed up, is not ambitious, is not self-seeking, is not provoked; thinks no evil, does not rejoice over wickedness, but rejoices with the truth, bears with all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Cor. 13:4-7).
To have Charity is to love God above all things for Himself and be ready to renounce all created things rather than offend Him by serious sin. ( Matt. 22:36-40)

Cardinal Merry del Val was the Secretary of State to Pope Saint Pius X (1903-1914)

Well like in the passage you quoted in Mathew it requires structure, and structure can only be built on a solid foundation. We may be wrong individually but as a church the fullness of truth is there. the scriptures contain no errors. The only thing we can agree on with certainty is the scripture and the catechism. They can’t be twisted and used against us.
whoever is humble easily obeys all, fears to offend any, maintains peace with all, shows himself affable to all, is submissive to all, does not offend or displease any body.

obviously this is not scripture. It’s an advanced lesson and it can only be applied under certain conditions. Think about this………. Jesus easily obeys all, Jesus fears to offend anybody, Jesus maintains peace with all!, Jesus shows himself affable to all, Jesus does not offend or displease anybody! YIKES!!! That’s not the scriptures. Obviously we’re not Jesus but we’re called to be like him and this sounds more like how a woman should act. We have a major problem with men doing everything the saint prescribes to the extent it’s harmful. We need our manhood and martyrdom back in 2026. Being humble is a great thing but is that the lesson we need in 2026?

Gray2023 · « **Reply #12 on:** **Yesterday** at 06:15:26 PM »

Quote from: Michaelknoxville on Yesterday at 02:11:09 PM

Well like in the passage you quoted in Mathew it requires structure, and structure can only be built on a solid foundation. We may be wrong individually but as a church the fullness of truth is there. the scriptures contain no errors. The only thing we can agree on with certainty is the scripture and the catechism. They can’t be twisted and used against us.
whoever is humble easily obeys all, fears to offend any, maintains peace with all, shows himself affable to all, is submissive to all, does not offend or displease any body.

obviously this is not scripture. It’s an advanced lesson and it can only be applied under certain conditions. Think about this………. Jesus easily obeys all, Jesus fears to offend anybody, Jesus maintains peace with all!, Jesus shows himself affable to all, Jesus does not offend or displease anybody! YIKES!!! That’s not the scriptures. Obviously we’re not Jesus but we’re called to be like him and this sounds more like how a woman should act. We have a major problem with men doing everything the saint prescribes to the extent it’s harmful. We need our manhood and martyrdom back in 2026. Being humble is a great thing but is that the lesson we need in 2026?

Yes, we need humility. We can't do God's will if we can't here God and humility allows us to hear Him. I have a suggestion. For the next two days do what St. Thomas of Villanova says, as long as the request is not against God and see what happens. Test the theory instead of just saying it is not good for 2026.

AMDGJMJ · « **Reply #13 on:** **Today** at 05:30:09 AM »

I thought of this thread this morning while reading my short daily spiritual reading from the book Patience by Father Lasance (pgs. 18-19).

"See how far thou art yet from true charity and humility, which knows not how to be angry with anyone, or to have indignation against anyone but one's self.

It is no great thing to be able to converse with them that are good and meek, for this is naturally pleasing to all. And everyone would willingly have peace and love those best that agree with them.

But to live peaceably with the that are harsh and perverse, or disorderly, or such as oppose us, in a great grace, and highly commendable and manly.

He who knows how to suffer, will enjoy much peace.

Such a one is conquerer of himself and lord of the world, a friend of Christ, and an heir of heaven."

Author Topic: Catholic Quotes on Humility (Read 629 times)

Gray2023

Catholic Quotes on Humility

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