At the Feet of the Fathers: St. Ambrose on Bearing Insults

At the Feet of the Fathers

Monday, January 2, 2023

St. Ambrose of Milan

Ambrose of Milan (c. AD 339 – c. 397) was a theologian and statesman who served as Bishop of Milan from AD 374 to 397. He was a very visible public figure, steadfastly promoting the Christian faith against the Arian heresy as well as paganism. He left a substantial collection of writings, of which the best known include the ethical commentary De officiis ministrorum (377–391) and the exegetical Exameron (386–390). His sermons, actions, and many literary works, in addition to his hymns, made him one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century.

Do Not Return Insult for Insult

So, then, you should also guard your humility. But if you are unwilling to appear too humble, you think like this, saying to yourself, “Am I supposed to let this man despise me, and say such things to my face against me, as though I could not open my mouth in front of him? Why should I not also say something to grieve him? Am I supposed to let him do me wrong, as though I were not a man, and as though I could not bring together worse ones against him?”

Whoever speaks like this is not gentle and humble, nor is he without temptation. The tempter stirs him up, and he puts such thoughts in his heart. Quite often, too, the evil spirit employs another person and gets him to say such things to him; but you should set your foot firm on the rock. Even if a slave abuses him, let the just man be silent, and if a weak man speaks insults, let him be silent, and if a poor man should make accusations, let him not answer. These are the weapons of the just man so that he may conquer by giving way, as those skilled in throwing the javelin win by giving way and, in flight, wound their pursuers with harder blows.

St. Ambrose of Milan, On the Duties of the Clergy, 1.5