Almost every one has
something to be ashamed of, more or less, which no one but himself
and God knows of; and which, perhaps, it is better that no one but
he and God should know.
I do not mean any great sin, or great shame--God forbid; but some
weak point, as we call it. Something which he had better not say or
do; and yet which he is in the habit of saying and doing. I do not
ask what it is. With some it may be a mere pardonable weakness;
with others it may be a very serious and dangerous fault. All I ask
now is, that each and every one of us should try and find it out,
and feel it, and keep it in mind; that we may be of a humble spirit
with the lowly, which is better than dividing the spoil with the
proud.
But why better?
The world and human nature look up to the proud successful man. One
is apt to say, 'Happy is the man who has plenty to be proud of.
Happy is the man who can divide the spoil of this world with the
successful of this world. Happy is the man who can look down on his
fellow-men, and stand over them, and manage them, and make use of
them, and get his profit out of them.'
But that is a mistake. That is the high-mindedness which goes
before a fall, which comes not from above, but is always earthly,
often sensual, and sometimes devilish.
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