The tokens of feigned and of true humility. — In their utterances, arrogant men are wont to have this among other things as their peculiarity, that they then inquire of their hearers whether perchance they have said anything disordered, precisely when they know they have said something praiseworthy. This, namely, they do, not because they are in doubt about their sayings, but because they seek favours from the judgment of their listeners. For it can easily be discovered with what mind they inquire, if anyone, when he praises their good, also reprehends their evil. For it is certain that, just as they are inflated by praises, so they are inflamed by rebukes; and when they perceive themselves reprehended by anyone, even justly, they presently seek in their evils tinder for their defence.
How, then, do they humbly doubt about their good things, who even perversely contrive to defend their evil things? For he is truly humble in good things who is not a defender in evil things. For he who is reproved for his evils, and is kindled against the words of the one reproving him, when he as it were humbly wavers about his good things, desires by the voice of humility to be adorned, not to be taught. Elihu, therefore, signifying the life of the arrogant, after he has brought forth many inner and sublime things, behold, in his words he assumes the form of humility, and, with equity set forth, under a certain image of discipleship addresses blessed Job, saying: