De gradibus humilitatis et superbiae
The Ladder of Humility and the Summit of Truth
Blessed Benedict arranges the return to truth in twelve steps of humility, fulfilling the number twelve after the commandments and circumcision.
This, then, is the law by which one returns to the truth. The blessed Benedict arranges it in twelve steps, so that just as one comes to Christ after the ten commandments of the law and the twofold circumcision—in which the number twelve is fulfilled—so, once these twelve steps have been climbed, truth is grasped.
Truth Watching from the Height of Humility
The Lord stands at the summit of Jacob's ladder, and Truth herself calls out to those who labor and long for her.
And doesn't this also point us to something important: in that ladder shown to Jacob as a figure of humility, the Lord appeared from above, leaning down from the top — what else does this reveal to us except that the knowledge of truth is established at the very summit of humility?✦1 The Lord looked out from the top of the ladder over the children of men, as Truth itself — whose eyes, just as they refuse to deceive, so they do not know how to be deceived — watching to see whether anyone was truly understanding or earnestly seeking God.2 Doesn't it seem to you that from on high Truth cries out and speaks to those who seek her? She knows who are hers. 'Come to me, all you who long for me, and be filled from my generations.'3 And that other word: 'Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you.'✦4
Come to Me Through Humility
Through a brief catechetical dialogue, Christ's invitation 'Come to me' is unfolded: the way is humility and the promised rest is given back to those who arrive.
Come, he says.✦ Where to? To me, the Truth. By what way?5 Through humility. With what result?6 I will restore you.✦ But what is the refreshment that Truth promises to those who are climbing, and gives back to those who arrive?7
Love That Makes Truth's Yoke Sweet
The rest promised at the summit of humility is perfect love, which lifts the weary and makes the yoke of Truth pleasant and its burden light.
Could it be that this is love itself? For as the blessed Benedict says, this is what a monk who has climbed every step of humility will soon arrive at. Truly, love is a sweet and pleasant food: it lifts up the weary, strengthens the weak, gladdens the sorrowful, and in the end makes the yoke of Truth pleasant and its burden light.✦
Read the original Latin
Hanc itaque legem, qua reditur ad veritatem, beatus Benedictus per duodecim gradus disponit, ut sicut post decem praecepta legis ac geminam circumcisionem -in quo duodenarius numerus impletur- ad Christum venitur, ita his duodecim gradibus ascensis, veritas apprehendatur.
Illud quoque quod in scala illa, quae in typo humilitatis Iacob monstrata est, Dominus desuper innixus apparuit, quid nobis aliud innuit, nisi quod in culmine humilitatis cognitio constituitur veritatis? Dominus quippe de summitate scalae prospiciebat super filios hominum tamquam Veritas, cuius oculi sicut fallere nolunt, ita falli non norunt, ut videret si sit intelligens aut requirens Deum. Annon tibi de alto videtur clamare ac dicere requirentibus se,-novit enim qui sunt eius: Transite ad me omnes qui concupiscitis me, et a generationibus meis implemini? Et illud; Venite ad me qui laboratis et onerati estis et ego vos reficiam.
Venite, inquit. Quo? Ad me veritatem. Qua? Per humilitatem. Quo fructu? Ego vos reficiam. Sed quae est refectio quam Veritas ascendentibus promittit, pervenientibus reddit?
An forte ipsa est caritas? Ad hac quippe, ut ait beatus Benedictus, ascensis omnibus humilitatis gradibus monachus mox perveniet. Vere dulcis et suavis cibus caritas, quae fessos allevat, debiles roborat, maestos laetificat, iugum denique Veritatis facit suave et onus leve.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Gen.28.12 — And he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
- ↩Matt.11.28 — Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
- ↩Matt.11.28 — Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
- ↩Matt.11.28 — Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
- ↩Matt.11.30 — For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Notes
- 1 ↩scala illa quae in typo humilitatis Iacob monstrata est — the ladder shown to Jacob (Gen 28:12) is read here as a type/figure (typus) of humility; the Lord leaning from its summit signifies that truth's knowledge is found at humility's peak.
- 2 ↩tamquam Veritas — the Lord is identified with Truth personified; the eyes of Truth that neither deceive nor are deceived echo the divine attribute of perfect knowledge and sincerity.
- 3 ↩Transite ad me omnes qui concupiscitis me, et a generationibus meis implemini — this echoes Sirach 24:19-21 (Vulgate), where Wisdom invites seekers to come and be filled. The Moses reference resolution is pending.
- 4 ↩Venite ad me qui laboratis et onerati estis et ego vos reficiam — direct quotation of Matt 11:28 (Vulgate). Moses reference resolution is pending.
- 5 ↩Qua (ablative of means/route) asks for the path or method, not the destination.
- 6 ↩Quo ablative of respect/purpose with fructu: 'with what fruit/benefit?'
- 7 ↩Ascendentibus and pervenientibus are datives of reference: 'to those climbing' (still on the way) and 'to those arriving' (who have reached the goal). The distinction matters: Truth promises refreshment during the ascent and restores it fully at the summit.
De gradibus humilitatis et superbiae (On the Steps of Humility and Pride) companion
Humility is climbed one day at a time
Take the next step each morning with a free daily devotional in Chosen Portion.
Bernard frames humility as a ladder climbed by small repeated acts; Chosen Portion turns that into practice with one daily devotional step at a time.
- A daily 10-minute portion focused on one virtue at a time
- Re-take the 12-step self-check monthly and see real movement
- Historic texts like Bernard's, one readable portion per day