Defects are a reason for humility

Do not be surprised when I say that I love your defects, so long as you fight to get rid of them, since they motivate you to be humble. The foremost writer of Castile said that humility is the base and foundation of all virtue, and without it no virtue is worthy of the name.

If we want to persevere, let us be humble. In order to be humble, let us be sincere: sincere with God, with ourselves, and with those who guide the progress of our soul, ut probetis potiora, ut sitis sinceri et sine offensa in diem Christi;²⁶ so that we might know how to discern what is best, and remain pure and untarnished until the end. In this way we will persevere.

To be humble, sincerity with God

Sincere with God: this is difficult, because people tend toward anonymity. People in important positions in public life often receive piles of anonymous letters. Many people likewise want to remain anonymous in their dealings with God, and avoid any personal encounter in their prayer and examination of conscience.