# Humiliation explained — Verses on Various Occasions

> Chapter companion for Verses on Various Occasions by John Henry Newman.

## What happens

The speaker reflects on the contrast between honor and scorn, finding greater value in humility and the 'sober shade' of earth than in worldly praise. They express that rule is a burden and a snare, while meanness offers a share in the Savior's Cross. The poem concludes with a prayer for divine cleansing of this hidden choice, asking that it be made purely God's own.

## Themes in this chapter

### Humiliation and the Hidden Choice

The chapter directly explores the theme of choosing humiliation over honor, seeing it as a path to share in Christ's Cross.

### Suffering and Humility

The speaker embraces scorn and meanness as a way to participate in the Savior's suffering, valuing humility over worldly rule.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker who has experienced both honor and scorn and chooses humility.

### Christ

The Savior whose Cross the speaker desires to share.

### Lord

Addressed in prayer to cleanse the speaker's hidden choice.

## Key lines

> I have been honour’d and obey’d, I have met scorn and slight; And my heart loves earth’s sober shade, More than her laughing light.

I have experienced both respect and contempt, yet I prefer the quiet humility of earthly life over its joyful brightness.

_The speaker contrasts honor with scorn and expresses a preference for humility._

> For what is rule but a sad weight Of duty and a snare? What meanness, but with happier fate The Saviour’s Cross to share?

What is authority but a burdensome obligation and a trap? What is lowliness but a blessed opportunity to share in the Savior's crucifixion?

_The speaker devalues worldly power and elevates humility as a means of participating in Christ's suffering._

> This my hid choice, if not from heaven, Moves on the heavenward line; Cleanse it, good Lord, from earthly leaven, And make it simply Thine.

This secret preference of mine, even if not directly from God, is oriented toward heaven; purify it, Lord, from worldly corruption and make it entirely Yours.

_The speaker prays for divine purification of their hidden choice for humility._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/lxii-humiliation
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters