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Copywork
About This Passage
In one sentence Screwtape states the whole secret of humility — and gives away the Enemy's true aim. Real humility is not a low opinion of yourself but the simple act of getting your 'mind off the subject of his own value altogether.' Copying this line shows a writer how a single, plain sentence can overturn a common misunderstanding: humility is not thinking poorly of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.
His whole effort, therefore, will be to get the man’s mind off the subject of his own value altogether. He would rather the man thought himself a great architect or a great poet and then forgot about ...
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Discussion Questions
Narration Prompt
In your own words, tell the story of Screwtape's fourteenth letter to Wormwood. What does he say real humility is, and what tricks does he use to twist or fake it?
Discussion Questions
- Screwtape says humility is really about getting a man's mind 'off the subject of his own value altogether,' yet he wants the man to think it means holding 'a low opinion of his own talents.' Which of these is real humility, and why does the difference matter so much to the devils? Use Screwtape's words to Wormwood to defend your reading.
- Screwtape's first move is to make the man notice his virtue — 'By jove! I'm being humble' — so that 'pride at his own humility' appears. Why does drawing a man's attention to a virtue he has tend to destroy it? Use Screwtape's words to Wormwood to explain.
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Vocabulary Builder
Item 1
A modest, self-forgetful view of oneself.
Item 2
Frighteningly powerful; hard to defeat.
Item 3
A feeling that someone or something is worthless.
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Critical Thinking
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