Study Guide: The Cloud of Unknowing, Chapter 13

Chapters 13-15 share a common theme: the place of humility and meekness in our contemplative life and prayer.

With Chapter 13,“Humility, and when it is ‘perfect’ and ‘imperfect’” (37-38), Anonymous begins his teaching on meekness by pointing out that as a virtue it can be divided into two kinds—parfit and inparfit.

His use of parfite almost exactly transliterates the Latin past participle pefectus which comes from the Latin verb perficere: to carry out, per-fect (from per- thoroughly + facere to make). Perfect humility is thus something that is thoroughly accomplished, totally finished, and fully completed. It's the highest quality work of a master craftsman. And, of course, inparfite humility is unfinished, immature, and incomplete. Imperfect humility is still a work in progress. Importantly, Anonymous says,  as contemplatives we may experience both kinds. We can indeed move from flawed, misshaped, faulty, and incomplete humility to a fully and thoroughly realized humility. In Chapters 13-15 Anonymous tells us how that is accomplished.

Our Teacher deliberately chose these two Middle English words to describe two kinds of humility, and it will help us see the full force of his choice if we know the origins and etymology of parfite and inparfite. 

To make sure that we see how it happens, scan Chapter 13 and ask yourself, “What does Anonymous say about perfect humility?” You may want to list some of his observations:

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And what does he observe about imperfect humility? Again, make a list:

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4.

Why do you think our Teacher wants us make this important distinction. Is he right to do so?  Why or why not?