Chapter XVI.
That the rational part of our soul is corrupt.
And
therefore if you want to
discover the source and origin of this fault, you must recognize that
the rational part of your mind and soul is corrupt, that part namely
from which the faults of presumption and vainglory for the most part
spring. Further this first member, so to speak, of your soul must be
healed by the judgment of a right discretion and the virtue of
humility, as when it is injured, while you fancy that you can not only
still scale the heights of perfection but actually teach others, and
hold that you are capable and sufficient to instruct others, through
the pride of vainglory you are carried away by these vain rovings,
which your confession discloses. And these you will then be able to get
rid of without difficulty, if you are established as I said in the
humility of true discretion and learn with sorrow of heart how hard and
difficult a thing it is for each of us to save his soul, and admit with
the inmost feelings of your heart that you are not only far removed
from that pride of teaching, but that you are actually still in need of
the help of a teacher.