--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Though we are confident that Blessed…" description: "\"“Though we are confident that Blessed Martin had no serious sins with which to reproach himself, though his contemporaries assure us that they had mora..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/732/j-c-kearns-60626_habits_though-we-are-confident-that-blessed-mar_2441892.jpg" --- # Though we are confident that Blessed Martin had no serious… ![“Though we are confident that Blessed Martin had no serious sins with which to reproach himself, though his contemporaries assure us that they had moral certitude that he had ever preserved his baptismal innocence, he regarded himself, like St. Paul, as the least of all men and unworthy of the…” quote by J.C. Kearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/732/j-c-kearns-60626_habits_though-we-are-confident-that-blessed-mar_2441892.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/732/j-c-kearns-60626_habits_though-we-are-confident-that-blessed-mar_2441892.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/732/j-c-kearns-60626_habits_though-we-are-confident-that-blessed-mar_2441892.jpg) > ““Though we are confident that Blessed Martin had no serious sins with which to reproach himself, though his contemporaries assure us that they had moral certitude that he had ever preserved his baptismal innocence, he regarded himself, like St. Paul, as the least of all men and unworthy of the habit he wore. Martin never lost an opportunity of being humiliated; he gladly received any personal insults and injuries as an ordinary person would receive favors. Indeed, he evidenced clear signs of gratitude to those who humbled him - he looked upon them as his real benefactors, and nothing caused him so much affliction of the soul and mental anguish as hearing himself the object of praise. When he found himself thus honored, especially by those distinguished by their good sense and their position of dignity in the community, he promptly sought out the most hidden place and there mercilessly inflicted upon himself a penance, usually in the form of the discipline. When it was impossible for him to retire, he had the habit of striking his breast unobtrusively and humbling himself before Almighty God. Even at times, especially when he was not conscious of the fact that he was being observed, strange words of self-deprecation fell from his lips. We are assured that he often repeated epithets of scorn, that he would mutter: 'What real merit have you? Remember that you ought to be nothing but a slave. Only through the mercy of God are you tolerated by these holy religious.”” [J.C. Kearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-kearns/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He viewed himself as unworthy, seeking humility and self‑punishment, finding comfort in being humbled rather than praised. **In simple terms:** He valued humility over pride, embracing self‑deprecation. Key Takeaway Embrace humility, avoid seeking praise. Themes humility self‑discipline spirituality humiliation self‑deprecation Mood reflective somber Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - religious life - personal growth - leadership - conflict resolution Key Concepts Christian monasticism self‑effacement psychology of shame Questions to Reflect On - How does humility differ from self‑destruction? - When is self‑criticism constructive? A Different Perspective His extreme self‑humiliation could harm mental health and effectiveness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blessed Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blessed-martin-495630/) [Gratitude Humbled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratitude-humbled-495632/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Humbled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humbled/) [Humbled Looked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humbled-looked-495631/) [Mercy of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mercy-of-god/) [Ordinary person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ordinary-person/) [Tolerated Holy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tolerated-holy-495633/) ## Related quotes > [“Like his Holy Father, St. Dominic, Blessed Martin thrice each night subjected himself to bloody disciplines. He did his best to keep these cruel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-kearns/like-his-holy-father-st-dominic-blessed-martin-thrice-each-night/) [J.C. Kearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-kearns/) > [“Before taking the discipline for the first time, Brother Martin spent considerable time in prayer. Then he lashed himself with an iron chain armed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-kearns/before-taking-the-discipline-for-the-first-time-brother-martin-spent/) [J.C. Kearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-kearns/) > [“Illness especially, may be a blessed forerunner of the individual’s conversion. Not only does it prevent him from realizing his desires; it even reduces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/illness-especially-may-be-a-blessed-forerunner-of-the-individual-s/) [Fulton J. 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Kearns > [“Martin delighted in performing the most menial of tasks. He swept the cloisters and sought out the most neglected places that he might rid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-kearns/martin-delighted-in-performing-the-most-menial-of-tasks-he-swept-the/) [J.C. Kearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-kearns/) > [“Before taking the discipline for the first time, Brother Martin spent considerable time in prayer. Then he lashed himself with an iron chain armed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-kearns/before-taking-the-discipline-for-the-first-time-brother-martin-spent/) [J.C. Kearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-kearns/) > [“One of the religious desired to see Martin very urgently and so came to his cell in search of him. Martin was apparently not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-kearns/one-of-the-religious-desired-to-see-martin-very-urgently-and-so-came/) [J.C. 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Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) [Browse all 12,567 Habits quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Though we are confident that Blessed Martin had no serious sins with which to reproach himself, though his contemporaries assure us that they had moral certitude that he had ever preserved his baptismal innocence, he regarded himself, like St. Paul, as the least of all men and unworthy of the habit he wore. Martin never lost an opportunity of being humiliated; he gladly received any personal insults and injuries as an ordinary person would receive favors. Indeed, he evidenced clear signs of gratitude to those who humbled him - he looked upon them as his real benefactors, and nothing caused him so much affliction of the soul and mental anguish as hearing himself the object of praise. When he found himself thus honored, especially by those distinguished by their good sense and their position of dignity in the community, he promptly sought out the most hidden place and there mercilessly inflicted upon himself a penance, usually in the form of the discipline. When it was impossible for him to retire, he had the habit of striking his breast unobtrusively and humbling himself before Almighty God. Even at times, especially when he was not conscious of the fact that he was being observed, strange words of self-deprecation fell from his lips. We are assured that he often repeated epithets of scorn, that he would mutter: 'What real merit have you? Remember that you ought to be nothing but a slave. 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