§ 31       Now sith that so is that ye han understonde what is pride, and whiche been the speces of it, and whennes pride sourdeth and spryngeth, now shul ye understonde which is The remedie agayns the synne of Pride; and that is hymylitee, or mekenesse. That is a vertu thurgh which a man hath verray knoweleche of hymself, and holdeth of hymself no pris ne deyntee, as in regard of his desertes, considerynge evere his freletee. Now been ther three maneres of hymylitee: as humylitee in herte; another hymylitee is in his mouth; the thridde in his werkes. The humilitee in herte is in foure maneres. That oon is whan a man holdeth hymself as noght worth biforn God of hevene. Another is whan he ne despiseth noon oother man. The thridde is whan he rekketh nat, though men holde hym noght worth. The ferthe is whan he nys nat sory of his humiliacioun. Also the humilitee of mouth is in foure thynges: in attempree speche, and in humblesse of speche, and whan he biknoweth with his owene mouth that he is swich as hym thynketh that he is in his herte. Another is whan he preiseth the bountee of another man, and nothyng therof amenuseth. Humilitee eek in werkes is in foure maneres. The firste is whan he putteth othere men biforn hym. The seconde is to chese the loweste place over al. The thridde is gladly to assente to good conseil. The ferthe is to stonde gladly to the award of his sovereyns, or of hym that is in hyer degree. Certein, this is a greet werk of hymylitee.

§ 31        Now since it is so that you have understood what is Pride, and what are the species of it, and whence Pride arises and springs, now shall you understand what is the remedy against the sin of Pride; and that is humility, or meekness. That is a virtue through which a man has true knowledge of himself, and considers himself worthy of no esteem nor dignity, as in regard to his deserts, considering ever his frailty. Now are there three manners of humility: as humility in heart; another humility is in his mouth; the third in his deeds. The humility in heart is in four manners. That one is when a man considers himself worth nothing before God of heaven. Another is when he despises no other man. The third is when he cares not, though men consider him worth nothing. The fourth is when he is not sorry for his humiliation. Also the humility of mouth is in four things: in temperate speech, and in humbleness of speech, and when he acknowledges with his own mouth that he is such as it seems to him what he is in his heart. Another is when he praises the goodness of another man, and nothing thereof diminishes. Humility also in deeds is in four manners. The first is when he puts other men before him. The second is to choose the lowest place of all. The third is gladly to assent to good advice. The fourth is to stand gladly to the decisions of his superiors, or of him that is in higher degree. Certainly, this is a great work of humility.