A meek person, molded by the Holy Spirit in imitation of Christ, is one who has learned to control all the disordered manifestations of self: irritation, contempt, anger, the spirit of jealousy or revenge. It is also the person who has given up the temptation to impose himself upon others, or to make himself respected by others, or to dominate others by bullying them. This is a hard task for our nature, wounded by sin, in which selfishness and pride are always trying to assert themselves, and to claim rights. As long as we live, our victory will never be total, but we must never put down our arms, but renew our efforts every day with good will, calling upon the aid of the Holy Spirit, so that he may destroy the remnants of violence and resentment in us and dissolve every trace of harshness. Come, Holy Spirit, bend the stubborn will, soften our hardness, calm all anger, smooth all sharpness.
Even in this world, meekness confers a certain capability for dominion and conquest, both of oneself and of others: first of all, over self, by controlling all impulses of anger, and keeping calm even amid contradictions; over others because meekness attracts and conquers hearts. The meek person, who has renounced every form of violence, finds that through this very renunciation, he has a special ascendency over others. For inasmuch as hearts are repelled and closed up by violence, meekness opens them to confidence and trust, softens and appeases them.
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