GEN959 When God bestows on an individual a special benefit, such as exceptional wisdom and profound understanding, or great wealth, or notability with the sovereign, or anything similar in which people tend to glory and take pride, and yet he remains humble as before, growing only in modesty and lowliness before God and [increasing] honor and kindness toward people, then his inner state is verified and his humility is found to be genuine.   This is like Avraham, who, when the Creator complimented him, saying [this verse], then said “I am but dust and ashes” Genesis 18:27; like Moshe and Aharon, who said, “What are we?” Exodus 16:7; and like David, peace be upon him, who said, “But I am like a worm not a man.” Psalms 22:7.   In this regard, the Wise One said, “If the spirit of the ruler rests upon you, do not leave your place.” Ecclesiastes 10:4   DUTIES 587