Humility is to look on oneself as dust and ashes. The humble says, “Who am I? And who considers me to be anything? Who am I to deal with people for I am powerless?” He does not say, “What” or “What is this?” but walks submissively in his ways, never deeming himself equal to others. And if he is despised and rejected he does not get angry.
Humility is to hold oneself as guilty and to find that one has done nothing good before God. It is to maintain silence, looking on oneself as nothing. It is to reject one’s inclinations, to look down to the ground, bearing death before his eyes., safeguarding himself from lying. It consists in not speaking, falsehood or arguing with someone who is older than you are, enduring insults joyfully, detesting comfort and training oneself in hardship, never distressing anyone.
Abba Isaiah
