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The fifth petition of the Litany of Humility pierces into one of the most subtle temptations of the spiritual life:
“From the desire of being praised, deliver me, O Jesus.”
Praise feels sweet. It affirms us, consoles us, and encourages us. Yet it is also dangerous, for it can become the food of vanity rather than the fruit of virtue. Praise, if sought for its own sake, turns the heart from God toward self. Christ warns: “They have received their reward” (Mt 6:2). To crave human praise is to trade eternal reward for fleeting approval.
St. Thomas Aquinas gives us clarity:
“Praise is rendered to a man in witness to his excellence. But excellence depends on reality, not on another’s judgment. Hence, to desire praise for its own sake is vain.” (ST II-II, q.132, a.2)
Thus, praise is not evil in itself, but to hunger for it is vanity — because we become satisfied with words instead of truth.
Eastern Witness: St. Silouan the Athonite
St. Silouan (20th century) lived a hidden monastic life on Mount Athos, where he sought only to humble himself before God. He warned often that the desire for praise leads to spiritual death: “Keep thy mind in hell and despair not.” By this paradoxical saying, he meant that we should place ourselves low, accepting nothing from men, but trusting entirely in God’s mercy.
Silouan himself was revered as a holy man, but he rejected praise, insisting that all good was from God alone. His humility became the vessel for divine wisdom, now treasured by the whole Church.
Western Witness: St. John Vianney
The Curé of Ars (19th century) drew pilgrims from across France. His confessional was sought day and night. Thousands praised him as a saint in his lifetime. Yet he remained deeply humble, often calling himself a poor sinner unworthy of his vocation.
When praised, Vianney pointed only to God’s mercy: “It is not the sinner who returns to God to beg forgiveness, but God who runs after the sinner to bring him back.” He knew praise could never rest on him, but only on the Lord who worked through him.
The Danger and the Cure
Silouan and Vianney both reveal that praise is safe only when passed on to God. If we keep it for ourselves, it corrodes the soul; if we return it to God, it becomes an act of worship.
Aquinas captures this balance:
“It is not wrong to be pleased when praised for what God has done in us, provided the joy is referred to God.” (ST II-II, q.132, a.2 ad 1)
Thus, the cure for the desire of praise is gratitude. Instead of craving it, we receive it as an opportunity to glorify God.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, deliver me from the restless desire to be praised. With Silouan, may I remember that all good comes from You alone. With John Vianney, may I turn every praise to thanksgiving in Your name. Grant me humility to rejoice only in Your glory.
From the desire of being praised, deliver me, O Jesus.
