We must bear with ourselves without either flattery or discouragement.
We must hope nothing for self, but wait for everything from God.
Utter despair of ourselves and unbounded confidence in God are the true foundations of the spiritual edifice.
This is the balance: bear with ourselves without flattery or discouragement — that is in our to-do list every day — and true confidence in God. 🙏
The two ditches — and the narrow path between. Flattery: expecting great things of ourselves. Discouragement: despairing of what God can do. Not too high. Not too low. And Le names it as daily practice — our to-do list every day. Not a one-time achievement. A daily balance. A daily choosing.
False humility: acknowledging unworthiness but daring not confidently expect God's gifts.
True humility: a deep view of our utter unworthiness, and an absolute abandonment to God, without the slightest doubt that He will do the greatest things in us.
An absolute abandonment to God, without the slightest doubt that He will do the greatest things in us.
Note to Fénelon: you wrote this in the late 17th century, and I'm reading Christian Counsel today. To God be the glory. 🙏
False humility says: I am unworthy, therefore God cannot use me. True humility says: I am unworthy — and He will do the greatest things in me anyway. Utter unworthiness plus absolute abandonment plus no doubt. All three together.
And Le's note to Fénelon across three and a half centuries: the words that carry the divine life do not expire. Written in the late 1600s. Read in Caldas da Rainha in 2026. Still fresh. Still alive. Still doing the work. To God be the glory. The Author behind the author. The hand that held the pen — and holds the reader. 🙏
Those who are truly humble will be surprised to hear anything exalted of themselves.
They are mild, peaceful, merciful, compassionate; quiet, cheerful, obedient, watchful, fervent in spirit.
They always take the lowest place, rejoice when they are despised, and consider every one superior to themselves.
We may judge of our advancement in humility, by the delight we have in humiliations.
Fénelon's portrait is Scougal's four branches alive in a person: love, charity, purity, humility — made visible in character. And the final test: the delight in humiliation. Not tolerance. Not endurance. Delight. Only the love of God turns humiliation into joy. Only the divine life can delight in what the natural life abhors.
"Note to Fénelon: you wrote this in the late 17th century, and I'm reading Christian Counsel today. To God be the glory."
Le · Caldas da Rainha · July 16, 2026 · Words that cross centuries — still fresh, still aliveThe Daily Balance
No flattery. No discouragement. Hope nothing from self. Wait for everything from God. The two foundations. Every day.
True vs. False Humility
False: unworthy, so God cannot use me. True: utterly unworthy — and He will do the greatest things. Absolute abandonment. No doubt.
The Portrait
Mild, peaceful, merciful, cheerful, watchful. Surprised by praise. Rejoicing in contempt. The divine life made visible.
Across Three Centuries
Written in the late 1600s. Read in 2026. The divine life does not expire. To God be the glory.