"For I am aware what ability is requisite to persuade the proud how great is the virtue of humility, which raises us, not by a quite human arrogance, but by a divine grace, above all earthly dignities that totter on this shifting scene. For the king and founder of this city of which we speak, has in Scripture uttered to His people a dictum of the divine law in these words: 'God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.' But this, which is God's perogative, the inflated ambition of a proud spirit also affects, and dearly loves that this be numbered among its attributes, to 'show pity to the humbled soul, and crush the sons of pride.' And therefore, as the plan of this work we have undertaken requires, and as occasion offers, we must speak also of the earthly city, which though it be mistress to the nations, is itself ruled by its lust of rule."

-----Augustine, "City of God"