ABJECTION: vice opposed to HUMILITY by reason of excess
‘St. Benedict in his rule lays down twelve degrees of humility. St. Anselm, as quoted by St. Thomas, gives seven. These degrees are approved and explained by St. Thomas in his Summa Theologica (II-II, Q. clxi, a. 6). The vices opposed to humility are, (I) pride: by reason of defect, and (2) a too great obsequiousness or abjection of oneself, which would be an excess of humility. This might easily be derogatory to a man’s office or holy character; or it might serve only to pamper pride in others, by unworthy flattery, which would occasion their sins of tyranny, arbitrariness, and arrogance.
‘The virtue of humility may not be practiced in any external way which would occasion such vices or acts in others.’
Arthur Devine