The Steps of Pride and Humility

The Steps of Pride and Humility, attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux, guides monks and readers through stages of spiritual growth, contrasting prideful tendencies with practices leading to humility.

Bernard analyzes how pride manifests in various forms and prescribes humility as the corrective foundation for spiritual progress.

The work influenced medieval monastic spirituality and pastoral care, stressing inward self-knowledge and reliance on God's grace.

Its emphasis on humility as a prerequisite for receiving divine grace shaped later theological reflections.

The text remains a significant resource for understanding medieval virtues and ascetic practice.