“Humility orders us in relation to God; justice regulates us in regard to our neighbors; and purity with regard to ourselves.” –From “Sermon in a Sentence: A Treasury of Quotations on the Spiritual Life; Vol. 5: St. Thomas Aquinas” pg. 35. Selected and Arranged by John P. McClernon.
We owe humility to God, to the Holy Trinity–He created us, He redeemed us, and He sanctifies us. Without Him, we are nothing. Therefore, humility is most befitting us in the presence of God. With our neighbors, we should always do what is just. God in His commandments tells us what is just–He tells us how to treat our neighbor and how to regard him, in thought, word, deed and desire. We should never do, speak, think or desire evil of or for our neighbor, but love them as we love ourselves. Then we will do what is just.
“Purity with regard to ourselves”…that is tougher to break apart and understand. Purity in thought, word deed and desire…this is the only way we can be at peace with ourselves. Any impurity stains the conscience, and unless our conscience does not rebuke us, we cannot be at peace. Perhaps this is what our great saint meant.