20. Job's wondrous humility amid such innocence of life. — For he who refuses not to be judged together with his men-servants and maid-servants, clearly indicates that he was never puffed up in his own esteem against any neighbour. Meanwhile it is fitting to behold with how great discretion the holy man guarded his life in all things. For not far above he said: 'The young men saw me, and hid themselves, and the old men rose up and stood; the princes ceased to speak, and laid their finger upon their mouth; the leaders held their voice, and their tongue clave to their throat' (Job 29). But now he says: 'If I have despised to abide judgement with my man-servant and my maid-servant, when they contended against me.'
Who could worthily consider the so lofty governings of this man's virtues? In whom there was so great authority of rule, that leaders were restrained to silence; and so great humility of heart, that his maid-servants were permitted to come to judgement on equal terms. Behold, he appears in a wondrous manner mightier than princes in power, equal to servants in contention; mindful of rule in the assembly of princes, mindful of his condition in the strife of his servants. For he beholds himself a servant under the true Lord, and therefore he does not exalt himself in loftiness of heart above his servants. Whence also he straightway adds: