Confession and Self-Examination: Bernard of Clairvaux on Self-Knowledge

Bernard of Clairvaux (d. 1153) taught that self-knowledge is the foundation of all spiritual growth. In his treatise "On the Steps of Humility and Pride," he wrote: "The road to truth is through humility, and humility begins with self-knowledge." Bernard identified twelve steps of pride that progressively distance the soul from God, starting with curiosity and ending with habitual sin.

Bernard taught that the path back begins with honest self-examination: "Know yourself and you will have a wholesome fear of God. The beginning of wisdom is to know yourself." This is not the modern idea of "self-discovery" as finding one's true desires, but the ancient practice of seeing oneself clearly -- strengths and weaknesses, virtues and vices -- in the light of God's holiness.

Practical application: Read Bernard's twelve steps of pride (curiosity, levity, foolish mirth, boasting, singularity, arrogance, presumption, self-justification, hypocritical confession, rebellion, freedom to sin, habitual sin) and honestly identify which step you most struggle with. Share this insight with God in prayer. Bernard teaches that naming our temptations accurately is half the battle against them.