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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"For if a man thinketh himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." Here again he reflects on their arrogance. He that thinks himself to be something is nothing, and exhibits at the outset a proof of his worthlessness by such a disposition.
Theophylact of Ohrid
Again he overthrows pride here, showing that the one who considers himself to be something is nothing, and by this very opinion proves his own nothingness, and deceives not anyone else, but himself.
Oecumenius
"For if anyone seems to himself to be something," that alone is nothing of what he appears to be. Therefore he is deceiving himself in nothing. — [PHOTIUS] "he deceives his own mind." For if anyone were to approve his own work, and to examine himself exactly, he would have his boasting rather in himself and not against another; that is, he would have boasting against himself, or he would condemn himself, and not another: that is, seeing himself inferior and needy, he will accuse himself, and refrain from condemning others, since he …
Western Saints
Jerome
For if anyone thinks that they are something when they are nothing, they deceive themselves. If anyone does not want to bear the burdens of others, and is merciless, satisfied only with their own work and virtue, not seeking what is of others but what is their own, that is, a lover only of themselves and not of God, they deceive themselves. …
Thomas Aquinas
The obstacle to fulfilling the above admonition is pride. And to exclude this he says, "For if any man think himself to be something, whereas he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." He says therefore: Do as I say. But it sometimes happens that one does not carry another's burdens, because he prefers himself to others. …
Bernard of Clairvaux
For the foolish woman believed him who promised, but who was deceiving: "You shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." Had he not already first deceived himself, he who had persuaded himself that he would be like the Most High? For he who thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, deceives himself.
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