On Meekness
LXIV. On Meekness
1. God is meek[1] in His goodness,
in His wisdom, His will,
and in all of His power.[2]
2. He who is meek for the sake of duty
as well as for that of achieving virtue
possesses meek wisdom and <meek> will.
3. A person is meek by reason of compassion,
faithfulness and humility,
<as well as> justice and charity.
4. God, Who possesses such great power,
cherishes such great meekness
that He chose to be seized and bound thereby.
5. Being meek when one is angry
forms the garment (lit. “habit”) of meekness
in which love (lit. “charity”) is clad.[3]
6. A meek person is able to deliberate
upon how he may speak fairly
and avoid sin.
7. A meek person steals from no one,
nor does he take anyone for a fool,
but rather presents his neck to all men.[4]
8. Meekness causes one to abstain
from cruelty and calumny,
and considers it profitable to suffer all ills.
9. Meekness brings honour
upon the one who is meek in <his> loving,
understanding and remembering.
10. Whoever is seized by meekness
is placed within a prison of love,
<which love> consoles him in every respect.
[1] Cat. suau; i.e. kindness/gentleness.
[2] See n. 4, Ch. IX, § 4.
[3] The term “habit” (Cat. hàbit; Lat. habitus) has a dual meaning: garment and disposition.
[4] I.e. presents his neck for the purpose of being smitten there, in a gesture of submission.