THEOSISGregory the Great
Verse 25. Job declares that the Lord gazes down upon all heights. Job 41:26 42. This suggests that He observes all creation from a position of supreme authority, and, while opposing His Creator, the prideful individual shows contempt for all that exists beneath him. This attitude resonates with the wicked, who, filled with self-importance, look down upon those they merely observe. Even when they offer outward respect, deep within, their inflated self-regard leads them to perceive the lives and virtues of others as inferior. Their arrogant thoughts elevate them, causing them to view others as lesser beings. The Prophet rightly states, "Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!" Isaiah 5:21. Similarly, Paul warns, "Do not be wise in your own conceits." Rom. 12:16. This echoes the divine reprimand given to Saul: "Were you not humble in your own sight when you were made head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed you king over Israel?" 1 Kings 15:17. Truly humble individuals acknowledge their shortcomings and consider themselves lesser than others. In contrast, those who let arrogance lead them to believe they are greater than others revel in their self-importance. Saul, despite initially beginning well, fell from grace due to his pride in the power he obtained. On the other hand, David viewed himself with humility, seeing himself as inferior to Saul even after divine anointing, humbly saying, "Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea?" 1 Samuel 24:15. Though David was already chosen by God, he demonstrated humility before his pursuer, understanding his divine selection by God’s will. Let those unaware of their standing before God learn how they ought to humble themselves before their fellow brethren, even when those chosen by God exhibit such humility. 43. It is a characteristic of the elect to see themselves as lesser than they are. David remarked, "If I had not been humble, I would have exalted my soul." Psalms 130:2. Solomon advised those who are humble to seek wisdom, saying, "If you are simple, go to her." Proverbs 9:4. Those who do not despise themselves will not receive God’s wisdom. Thus the Lord teaches in the Gospel, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes." Matthew 11:25. The Psalmist affirms, "The Lord preserves the simple." Psalm 114:6. Paul refers to himself by saying, "We were gentle among you." 1 Thess. 2:7. Jesus instructed His disciples to "Let each esteem others better than themselves." Phil. 2:3. The wicked tend to regard others as inferior, while the righteous strive to see everyone as superior to themselves. Since one man's humility before another might inadvertently nourish the pride of both, the exhortation to regard others as better than oneself serves to keep the heart of each humble, preventing one from basking in any honour received and descending into pride. 44. However, the wicked, being part of this Leviathan, scorn this form of humility. Though they may sometimes present an outward appearance of humility, they fail to cultivate genuine humility within. It is common for them, after even a small act of goodness, to ignore their numerous faults, focusing instead on that solitary good deed and considering themselves saints, while overlooking the many evils they have committed or even desired. In contrast, the elect, despite possessing many virtues, are often deeply troubled by even minor sins, ensuring they remain humble concerning their strengths. They are modest and humble in all areas, even in their strengths, while sinners, focusing carelessly on one minor good trait, remain oblivious to the severe sins in which they are entrenched. Such is the divine arrangement that the one chosen, wary of any potential weakness from the slightest sin, retains the virtues to which they have advanced without detriment. 45. The Sovereign Will is structured so that evil may benefit some, while good may cause harm to others. Those who turn their minor sins into strengths may achieve greater perfection; conversely, those who boast of minimal virtues may fall into greater sin. The rejected often misapply good for ill purposes, while the virtuous transform evil for a greater good. Just as one might become ill from improper consumption of nourishing food, another may regain health through careful administration of poison. Hence, those who misuse nourishment perished from what could have nourished them, while those meticulously using poison recover from illness. We do not consider the poison evil itself but the temptation to evil that we frequently combat with our will. When faced with lowly temptations, the mind, strengthened by virtue, recognizes the hidden snares set against it. Regardless of what the wicked do, or how they misinterpret their true nature and virtues, they wholly lack humility; undoubtedly, they belong to that Leviathan described as looking down upon all things lofty. In their arrogance, not only do they elevate themselves, but they also regard those whom they influence with disdain. 46. It is crucial to note that this Leviathan, depicted as a beast that possesses a body, is said to look down because pride emerges first through the eyes. The proud gaze downwards, and the more they scorn others, the higher they lift themselves. If pride did not manifest through the eyes, the psalmist's declaration would hold no meaning: "For You save a humble people, but the haughty eyes You bring down." Psalm 17:28. Had pride not shown through the eyes, Solomon would not have described the pride of Judah: "There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, yet is not washed from its filthiness." Proverbs 30:13. Because the Leviathan is signified as a beast with a body, and pride is most visibly demonstrated through the eyes, the ancient foe is portrayed as one who gazes down upon everything. Much has already been articulated, though perhaps not conclusively. As the discourse concludes, the Lord offers yet another succinct description, adding that He reigns as king over all the prideful. 47. This Leviathan arose from pride alone. Were it not for this foundational sin, he would not have fallen into other transgressions. It is written, "Pride is the beginning of all sin." Sir. 10:13. Pride caused his own downfall and led astray many who followed him, attacking the health of our immortality with the same weaponry that brought about his own ruin. God concluded His discourse by addressing the pride of this Leviathan after detailing his other sins, as the most grievous of all sins is highlighted last, showing it to be the root of all vices. Like a hidden root, pride remains obscured yet brings forth other vices visibly. Evil remains unseen when contained in secrecy, and this is what stirs the mind of the Leviathan, causing it to boil with madness while leading men to madness without manifesting this outwardly, ultimately corrupting the souls it ensnares. Thus, pride kindles a fire within individuals that manifests in all actions. 48. Since pride is under scrutiny, it merits deeper examination to discern how it influences human minds and its targets for destruction. Unlike other sins that assault specific virtues – anger against patience, gluttony against moderation, and lust against temperance – pride, identified as the root of all vices, is not satisfied by undermining a single attribute. It rises against every aspect of the soul, acting as a pervasive and fatal condition that corrupts the entire being. Hence, when pride attacks the mind, it operates as a tyrant besieging a city: the wealthier the city it lays siege to, the more vehemently it seeks to dominate. The greater the virtue lacking humility, the more pride seeks to expand its grip. Those whose minds are enslaved to pride acknowledge their own oppression too late, as their judgment becomes clouded. They become blind to the virtues of others while finding their own actions deserving of admiration, believing they act with exceptional skill, even when those actions are sinful. When they perceive themselves as superior, they navigate large swaths of intellectual territory, exalting themselves in their thoughts. At times, this arrogance spills over into words, with the greater the shamelessness displayed, the easier it becomes for destruction to follow. Thus, it is recorded, "A proud heart stirs up strife." Proverbs 16:18. 49. This pride comes in varied forms in secular and spiritual arenas, boasting of riches and eloquence, respectively. Yet in God’s sight, they share the same essence, as pride infiltrates the hearts of many regardless of its disguise. The one who once reveled in earthly acclaim often assumes a facade of holiness without relinquishing pride; it simply adopts a new guise. 50. Pride often afflicts rulers in one manner and subordinates in another. Rulers may think they alone are deserving of their authority because of their elevated position and, even without good deeds, equate power with merit. The belief that they please God through their rank leads them to dismiss those under their charge as worthless, precluding mutual respect. This disdain easily transforms into anger, as rulers disdain those they perceive as unworthy. 51. Conversely, when pride grips the hearts of those not in authority, it distracts them from self-reflection, allowing them to critique their rulers without acknowledging their own faults. By focusing solely on their leaders' failings, they neglect their own moral deficiencies. Such behavior leads to their greater downfall, for as they disregard their personal responsibility, they stumble through life, misjudging their own worthiness. They label themselves sinners, yet consider their sins excusable compared to those of their rulers. In rising against their leader, they inadvertently turn against God’s will, questioning the wisdom of divine sovereignty. They often view challenges to their ruler as acts of defiance, mistakenly cloaked in the guise of freedom. Similarly, some silence themselves out of fear but convince themselves it is humility, while others express complaints fueled by pride masquerading as legitimate grievances. Sometimes, even those who hold peace in their hearts struggle against silent malice. When they hear admonitions, their responses reflect outrage, displaying indignation instead of humility, perceiving themselves as wronged. The more unsettled they feel, the more unjustly offended they believe themselves to be. Because they fail to comprehend true humility—the cornerstone of virtues—they undermine their own gain, missing the very foundation required for strength. 52. Those consumed with pride are marked by loudness in speech, bitterness in silence, recklessness in joy, anger in sorrow, and indignity in their demeanor. They are quick to provoke while being slow to patience, sluggish in enduring challenges, yet eager to engage in wrongful actions from which they should refrain. 53. Given that pride tempts men through both earthly and spiritual means, let us heed this warning: "All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is the flower of the field." Isaiah 40:6. Moreover, let us consider the words spoken to those who performed miracles, "I do not know you, where you are from; depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity." Luke 13:27. We also learn that with an abundance of riches comes the warning not to set one's heart upon them. Psalm 61:11. We are reminded of the foolish virgins who, lacking oil for their lamps, were denied entry to the wedding feast. Mt. 25:12. We reiterate that rulers and subordinates fall into pride in different ways, as illustrated by the sage's reminder: "If you are made a ruler over them, do not be puffed up but conduct yourself among them as one of them." Sir. 32:1. Additionally, we hear, "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls diligently." Hebrews 13:17. Those who boast of their conferred power should heed Abraham's admonition, "Son, remember that in your lifetime you received good things." Lk. 16:25.