If you take a humble role in all human affairs you will raise yourself above the rulers of the world. Let everyone see that you are really humble, and bow to others first as if they were the important ones. He who is renowned for his wisdom is humble among men, in spite of his wisdom and learning, and is wise in what he finds in his spirit. Blessed is he who offers himself in everything he does, for he is raised above all.
Those who make themselves humble for the Lord's sake, and diminish themselves to the Lord, praise the Lord; and those who endure hunger and thirst for the Lord's sake he will honor with suitable gifts. Those who comfort others for his sake he will clothe in splendid garments, and those who are poor and in distress for his sake he will comfort with true riches...
The eyes of the Lord are on the humble: the prayers of the humble are heard as soon as they are spoken. Service and humility turn a human being into God on earth. Faith and mercy quickly lead to wisdom.
Blessed are those who for love of the Lord plunge headlong into trials and troubles without anger or sadness; when they escape they soon reach safety in the harbor of the divinity, and through their good works come to God's home and have rest from their troubles, rejoicing in their hope. Those who run the race of life in hope are not frightened by the trials on the way, nor do they cease from following it; on reaching the end of their course they see the Lord, and praise him for having saved them from perdition and from the many adversities they suffered in their ignorance.
John Moschus
-John Moschus (619) was a Byzantine monk and spiritual writer.
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