Discourse 82

On what great honor humility is, and how great is its rank. I desire to open my mouth, my brethren, to speak concerning the exalted nature of humility, but I am filled with fear, like a man who is about to speak concerning God, who is destined to be narrated in the history of his discourse. For it is the stole of divinity, because the Word became flesh, put it on, and spoke with it among the people through their bodies. And everyone who has truly been clothed in this has descended from his height, and has covered the splendor of his greatness, and has hidden his glory in a humility that is comparable, so that creation might not be burned by his sight. For creation was not able to see him without the death of its members, that he might be seen by it and speak with it through it, nor was it able to hear the word of his mouth face to face. The children of Israel were not able to endure hearing his voice when he spoke with them from within the cloud. Clearly, creation was able to receive his sight, for thus they were constrained, until they said to Moses, "Speak with us, and you shall make us hear his words." And he did not speak with them, lest he die. Thus, the vision was so powerful that even the mediator said, "I am afraid and I tremble." For the splendor of his glory was revealed upon Mount Sinai, and the whole mountain trembled and quaked in fear of his revelation upon it.

like the animals that approach the foot of the mountain, they would die. And they purified themselves and prepared themselves, all the people of Israel, by the command of Moses, that each one should cleanse himself for three days, as was fitting for hearing the sound of the speech of God and for seeing his revelations. And when the time came, they were not able to receive the vision of his splendor and the power of the sound of his thunder. But now, when his grace poured out upon the world in his coming, it was not with trembling, nor with fire, nor with a strong and powerful voice, but he descended like rain upon the fleece of a lamb, and like gentle drops that fall softly upon the earth. Another time he showed himself to them, that he might speak with them; that is, when he took on the greatness of his humility in the covering of flesh, he spoke with them in that language which the sign from the womb of the Virgin had indicated to him. For when they saw him who spoke with them, that he was of their own kind, they were not afraid of his appearance. Because of this, every one who was seen in this form of appearance, by means of that body filled with holiness which he put on, Christ put on. For in that likeness in which he was seen by his creatures, and in which he moved among them, he desired to put on his inner humanity, and in it he was seen by his churches. And he exchanged the garment of honor and external glory for it, and in it he was adorned.

And because of this, all who see death in this world of creatures that are without speech—the silent ones and the speaking ones—as though they were worshipping the Lord, because of the honor of their Lord, which they saw when it was outside and was turned about in it. Which of the creatures that are not forgetful of the sight of the humble one? Yet until the glory of humility was revealed to all, that sight that fills with sanctities was easy for them. Now, however, that we have come to know its greatness for the ages of the world, everyone honors this likeness, every face that is seen. Through this middle, creation is worthy to receive the sight of its Creator. And because of this, not even the enemies of truth are easy, and even a small thing becomes from the whole of creation, from its depth, like a crown and purple garments that are honored from its teaching. For the humble one, no one ever hates, no one attacks him with words, no one insults. And because his Lord loves him, he is loved by everyone. Everyone loves him. Everyone cherishes him. And everywhere he approaches, like an angel, they look upon him with light and honor him distinctly. The wise and eloquent speaker speaks and calms him, so that for the humble one a place for speaking is given. Everyone’s eyes are fixed on his mouth, to see what answer comes from him. And everyone listens to his words, as to words from God.

In the simplicity of his speech: like the saying of a sophist who distorts its meaning. His words are sweeter than the hearing of the wise, more than cakes to the palate of those who eat them. And he is considered like God, even if he is a layman in his word and a simpleton in his vision. He who speaks humbly and simply: no longer do they think he is alive, but like a corpse that opens its mouth against God. And the more he is despised in his own eyes, more than all creatures, his honors increase. The humble one approaches the destructive beasts, and as soon as they see him, they are intoxicated by their wildness, and they draw near and cling to him as to their lord. And they rub against him with their tails, and lick his hands and feet. Because that fragrance which emanated from Adam before the transgression of the commandment, when they gathered around him and he gave them names in Paradise, emanated from him. That which was taken from us, and which Christ renewed and gave back to us at his coming—he who restored the fragrance of the race of the righteous. And if he approaches murderous beasts, as soon as the skin of his hand touches their bodies, the harshness of their murderous nature is broken, and through his hands he scatters them like locusts. And if he approaches wild beasts, they look upon him as upon a lord.

And what does a man say among the wicked? That with all their evil and bitterness of demons, and the whole pride of their thought, when they reach the humble one, they become like dust. All their hardness is dissolved, their divisions are loosened, their tumults are stilled. Now then, to show the greatness of her honor from God, and the power hidden in her, let it be shown clearly what this humility is, and when a man is fully established in it as it truly is. And let a distinction be made between the humble among the simple and the one who has attained the humility of truth. Humility is a hidden power, which after the whole perfection of practices the perfect saints receive. And this power is not given except to those who have completed the whole perfection of virtue by the power of grace in their station, as much as the intellect suffices within the limit. For that virtue is what contains everything. And because of this, it is not possible to consider every man who comes as humble, except those who have attained this rank of which we have spoken. Not everyone who weeps, or is silent, or subdued, or simple, attains the degree of humility. But the truly humble one is he who, when he has something hidden that is worthy of exaltation, is not exalted.

But he is like dust in his thoughts. Nor does he need the remembrance of his humility or his prostrations to remind him, so that his heart might be broken and his mind be humbled from the movements of pride in their remembrance. He is called humble even without this praise. For behold, still he has thoughts of pride. And humility: it is not his own. But through occasions he brings it near to himself. And even this praise, as I said, and this still he does not have. But he is one who seeks, he desires it, and it is not his own. But he is completely humble, one for whom it is not necessary that a cause be devised for his thought to become humble. And for all these things they are complete, and as a natural disposition it is his own without effort. Just as even when a great gift which all creation cannot suffice for is given, that nature receives it within itself; he considers himself like a sinner and foul in his own eyes. And when he enters into the mysteries of all spiritual natures, and prevails in the wisdom of all creatures, with all exactitude he knows that he knows nothing. And this: not through occasions, but without compulsion, thus he is in his heart. And can it be that a man who is thus has the capacity to change thus? No. Therefore, do not be divided.

of the power. That secret power which he receives, and which perfects in him all excellence without labor. That is the power which the blessed apostles received in the vision of the mountain. And because of this, our Lord and Savior commanded: "From Jerusalem do not depart until you receive power from above, which will be the Paraclete, the Spirit that is sent, the Comforter." And that is the Spirit of visions. And this is what is said in Scripture concerning them: "To the humble, secrets are revealed." Now then, to this Spirit of revelations and of the manifestation of secrets, the humble are worthy who receive it within themselves. And because of this, it was said by the holy fathers: "Length of time in divine visions perfects the soul." Therefore, let no one presume to think about himself that he has attained the measure of humility in his station, because of a single thought of prostration that arose in him at some time, or because of a few tears that flowed from him, or because of a beautiful countenance that he has in his weeping, or because he has held himself in restraint, for that is the limit of all secrets and the container of all excellence, which stands at the boundary of small labors. He considers them in place of this gift.

But let it be that a man conquers all the opposing spirits, and not one of the superior orders passes by him, over whose face he did not labor and stand, and he conquers and subdues all rebellious passions. And after that, he perceives in his spirit that he has received the gift, when that spirit bears witness to his spirit, as the Apostle says: this is the seal of humility. Blessed is he who stands, for all his life he embraces this side of Jesus. But a man asks: what shall I do? How shall I stand? By what means shall I become worthy to be a receiver of it? For behold, my self is rebellious. And when I hope to stand, I see that when I am not aware, behold, movements contrary to it pass within my thoughts. And now I fall from here, and hope is cut off. To this he asks: it is answered to him that the disciple who is like his master, and the servant like his lord, may be released. See the commander of this and the giver of the gift: by what standing did he have, and he was amazed in him, and also you, and you can. For he said: he who comes to the end of this world, and in me there is nothing. Do you see how by the perfection of all excellence humility is established? How that which commands, in it is filled.

...to the heights. He has no resting place, and the covering of heaven overshadows him, and for the son of man there is no place where he may lay his head. To him belongs praise from all who have been perfected, sanctified, and fulfilled throughout all generations, together with the Father who sent him, and the Holy Spirit, now and at all times and forever and ever. Amen. The first half of Mar Isaac, bishop of Nineveh, is completed, with the help of our Lord. ... This half was written for Rabban David ... in the village of Alṭuṭ Awkit ... and Lāṭū, in the cell that is in the cliff ... and the thieves came ... and took his books ... and this was found from the brothers who were dwelling in that cell of Ṭyāreh village, and from after ... six hundred and sixteen years ... it was completed by a man whose name is P. W. L. W. S., in the year one thousand five hundred and forty-six of the kingdom of the Greeks, and in the six hundred and thirty-third of the Arabs.