Bonhoeffer on Meekness

But not only my neighbor's will, but also his honor is more important than mine. "How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?" (John 5:44). The desire for one's own honor hinders faith. One who seeks his own honor is no longer seeking God and his neighbor. What does it matter if I suffer injustice? Would I not have deserved even worse punishment from God, if He had not dealt with me according to His mercy? Is not justice done to me a thousand times even in injustice? Must it not be wholesome and conducive to humility for me to learn to bear such petty evils silently and patiently? "The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." (Eccles. 7:8)


-- Deitrich Bonhoeffer, from Life Together