> [[bc-td-06|← Previous]] | [[bc-twelve-degrees-toc|TOC]] | [[bc-td-02|Next →]] # Preface You have asked me, brother Godfrey, to expand and put in writing the substance of the addresses 'On the Degrees of Humility' which I had delivered to the brethren. I admit that, anxious as I was to give to this request of yours the serious answer that it deserved, I was doubtful whether I could comply with it. For with the evangelist's warning in my mind, I did not venture to begin the work, until I had sat down and calculated whether myresources were sufficient for its completion. Then, when love had cast out the fear that I had entertained of ridicule for failure to complete my work, it was replaced by misgiving of a different kind; for I was apprehensive of greater danger from the credit that might attend success than of the disgrace that might attach to failure. So I found myself, as it were, at the parting of the ways indicated respectively by affection and by fear; and I was long in doubt as to which was the safer choice. For I was afraid that if I said anything worth saying about humility, I might myself be found wanting in that virtue, whereas if, on grounds of modesty, I refused to speak, I might fail in usefulness. And I saw that, though neither of these courses is free from peril, I should be obliged to take one or the other. So I have thought it better to give you the benefit of anything that I can say, than to seek personal safety in the harbour of silence. And I earnestly trust that, if I am fortunate enough to say anything which commends itself to you, I may have in your prayers a safeguard against pride, whereas if as is more likely I produce nothing worthy of your attention, there will be no possible cause for conceit. --- ![[maps/bibliography#^biblio-bc]] > [[bc-td-06|← Previous]] | [[bc-twelve-degrees-toc|TOC]] | [[bc-td-02|Next →]]