vants.1465 And on many other accounts he gains1466 by it. He is brought down and humbled,
nor if he would, can he be high-minded, if1467 he takes the more heed to himself. But he,
who enjoys more honor, besides being responsible for great debts, is lifted up into arrogance
and vainglory, and becomes the slave of men; and as this tyranny increases, he is compelled
to do many things which he would not.
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Knowing therefore that it is better to want glory, than to possess it, let us not seek for
honors, but evade them when they are offered, let us cast them from us, let us extinguish
that desire. This we have said at once to the rulers of the church, and to those under their
rule. For a soul desirous of honor, and of being glorified, shall not see the kingdom of
heaven. This is not my own saying. I speak not my own words, but those of the Spirit of
God. He shall not see it, though he practice virtue. For he saith, “They have their reward.”
(Matt. vi. 5.) He then, who has no reward to receive, how shall he see the kingdom of heaven?
I forbid thee not to desire glory, but I would wish it to be the true glory, that which proceeds
from God. “Whose praise,” it is said, “is not of men, but of God.” (Rom. ii. 29.) Let us be
pious in secret, not cumbered with parade, and show, and hypocrisy. Let us cast away the
sheep’s clothing, and rather let us become sheep. Nothing is more worthless than the glory
of men. Should thou see a company of little children, mere sucklings, wouldest thou desire
glory from them?1468 Be thus affected towards all men with respect to glory.
It is for this reason called vainglory. Dost thou see the masks worn by stage-players?
how beautiful and splendid they are, fashioned to the extreme height of elegance. Canst
thou show me any such real countenance? By no means. What then? didst thou ever fall in
love with them? No. Wherefore? Because they are empty, imitating beauty, but not being
really beautiful. Thus human glory is empty, and an imitation of glory: it is not true glory.
That beauty only which is natural, which is within, is lasting: that which is put on externally
often conceals deformity, conceals it from men until the evening. But when the theater
breaks up, and the masks are taken off, each appears what he really is.
Let us therefore pursue truth, and not be as if we were on the stage and acting a part.
For of what advantage is it, tell me, to be gazed at by a multitude? It is vainglory, and nothing
else. For return to thy house, and solitude, and immediately all is gone. Thou hast gone to
the market-place, thou hast turned upon thee the eyes of all present. What hast thou gained?
Nothing. It vanished, and passed away like dissolving smoke. Do we then love things thus
unsubstantial? How unreasonable is this! what madness! To one thing only let us look, to
the never seek the praise of men; but if it falls to us, we shall despise, deride, and reject it.
1465 In this spirit Coleridge prays “to be forgiven for fame.”
1466 B. “will gain.” Ben. “has cause to rejoice.”
1467 B. and Sav. mar. “but.”
1468 Sav. mar. “No, thou sayest.”
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Titus 1:5,6