Esteeming Others As Better Than Oneself

[Therese]

Did the saints esteem others as better than themselves?  I know St. Paul said he was the worst of sinners, probably because he killed Christians.  

I think I remember St. Faustina saying that she thought of others as being better than herself, but I'm not sure she said this.  

I think I read that we should esteem others as being better than ourselves in one of my books, possibly in one of my books written by St. Alphonsus.  Does this mean that we should esteem ALL others as better than ourselves, including Judas, Hitler, etc.?  

The saints were most humble so I could believe it if they thought of others as better than themselves.

[Brigid]

Yes, the great Saints that I have read have all esteemed others as better than themselves. I don't know what they'd do with a Hitler, etc. I do know that I heard on Catholic radio someone say that they put up a note on their mirror that said, "I am third." (After the Lord and then after others).

[Therese]

Yes, the great Saints that I have read have all esteemed others as better than themselves. I don't know what they'd do with a Hitler, etc. I do know that I heard on Catholic radio someone say that they put up a note on their mirror that said, "I am third." (After the Lord and then after others).

Thanks, Brigid!

[Bailey2]

If I may add my thoughts...........

?”Let nothing be done through contention, neither by vain glory: but in humility, let each esteem others better than themselves”  --Philippians 2:3

I don’t think this means self-abasement when comparing our selves to others. Humility is the quality of not even noticing ourselves because really we are not that important to pay attention. If we don’t notice ourselves there is nothing to compare and if we don’t notice ourselves, others are clearly more important. 


“True humility does not make a show of itself and hardly speaks in a humble way.  It not only wants to conceal all other virtues but most of all it wants to conceal itself.” St. Francis de Sales

“Blessed is the servant who esteems himself no better when he is praised and exalted by people than when he is considered worthless, simple, and despicable; for what a man is before God, that he is and nothing more.”  St Francis of Assisi

[Therese]

If I may add my thoughts...........

?”Let nothing be done through contention, neither by vain glory: but in humility, let each esteem others better than themselves”  --Philippians 2:3

I don’t think this means self-abasement when comparing our selves to others. Humility is the quality of not even noticing ourselves because really we are not that important to pay attention. If we don’t notice ourselves there is nothing to compare and if we don’t notice ourselves, others are clearly more important. 


“True humility does not make a show of itself and hardly speaks in a humble way.  It not only wants to conceal all other virtues but most of all it wants to conceal itself.” St. Francis de Sales
“Blessed is the servant who esteems himself no better when he is praised and exalted by people than when he is considered worthless, simple, and despicable; for what a man is before God, that he is and nothing more.”  St Francis of Assisi

Thanks, Bailey2!

[Shin]

Here Therese, there could be a bit more here, but it gives some food for thought.

A piece of concordance on humility.

[Therese]

Thanks, Shin!