Sirach 10:28 - My son, glorify your soul in meekness, And give it honor according to the worthiness thereof.

Generated Verse: Sirach 10:28

What does "Sirach 10:28" mean?


Sirach 10:28, "My son, glorify your soul in meekness, And give it honor according to the worthiness thereof," is a call to cultivate inner integrity and recognize your own inherent value, but to do so with humility and without arrogance. Let's break down the verse:

"My son...": This is a common form of address in wisdom literature, a teacher speaking to a student, offering guidance and instruction.

"...glorify your soul in meekness...": This is the core of the verse. It doesn't mean to literally make your soul physically glorious. Instead, it means to:
Glorify your soul: To nurture and elevate your inner being, your character, your moral and spiritual self. Strive for excellence in virtue, integrity, and righteousness. Think of it as cultivating the best version of yourself.
In meekness: Do all of this with humility and gentleness. Avoid pride, arrogance, and self-importance. Meekness doesn't mean weakness; it means a quiet strength, recognizing that your good qualities are gifts and that you are still a work in progress. You can have confidence without being boastful.

"...And give it honor according to the worthiness thereof.":
Give it honor: Respect yourself. Acknowledge your own value and potential. Don't denigrate or belittle yourself. Care for your well-being (mental, physical, and spiritual).
According to the worthiness thereof: This is a crucial qualifier. The honor you give yourself should be proportional to the actual worth you have cultivated through your actions and character. This is a check against excessive pride or self-deception. It's not about pretending to be better than you are; it's about striving to become the best version of yourself and then appropriately valuing that progress.

In essence, the verse advises a balanced approach:

Self-cultivation: Actively work to improve your character and moral standing.
Humility: Recognize your limitations and avoid arrogance.
Self-respect: Acknowledge your own worth and treat yourself with dignity.
Honesty: Base your self-perception on reality, not on vanity or inflated ego.

Practical Application:

The verse encourages you to:

Develop good habits and virtues: Be honest, kind, compassionate, just, and responsible.
Acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses: Be realistic about where you are in your journey of self-improvement.
Strive for continuous growth: Never be content with mediocrity. Always seek to become a better person.
Treat yourself with respect and kindness: Don't be overly critical or self-deprecating.
Avoid pride and arrogance: Be humble and grateful for your blessings.
Be mindful of your actions and their impact on others.

The overall message is a call to live a life of integrity, humility, and self-respect, recognizing that true worth comes from within and should be reflected in one's actions and attitude. It's about striving for inner excellence while remaining grounded in reality.

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